starjilly76

My ancestors are from Milan (grandfather and grandmother), they are both deceased, but I've always wanted to take a trip to Italy to see the "homeland". (Would love to figure out where they lived, and visit, but that's another story). For my daughter's college graduation, I told her that we may take a trip to Italy. People who would be on the trip are me, my daughter, my mom, boyfriend, my brother and his wife. (I'm 45).

We have a mixed group as some will love the museums, and some will love the scenery, our trip will have to be a mix of the two.

With 7 days, how much can we expect to see? I would love to include Milan in our trip, but don't hear much about it. I want to include the obvious touresty things, but I know we have a limited amount of days, and don't want to be overwhelmed with every single day being walk walk walk walk walk. We will want some time to chill.

Here's what I would like to include - I may be way off with timing, that's why I'm asking for advice. Milan (The Last Supper, family stuff), Florence (David, Artwork, Neptune, Gelato), Tuscany (chilling out?, biking or scooter through vineyards - Night in Tuscany tour? Pisa) Venice (St. Marks Square, Gondola or Vaporetto) , Rome (Vatican, museums, forum, coliseum, Trevi Fountain, Sistine Chapel, pope Wednesday?) Cinque Terra (maybe)Pisa.

Wanted to book a place through VRBO.com - a rental property, but now that I see that we won't be staying for a week in Milan (who knew??), and that other places aren't so far to travel to see, I feel that hotels may be the only way we can do this. Suggestions on any of this, tips, ideas - all VERY welcome.

Now that I've done some research, I think it might make sense to start in Milan, and work my way down as far as I can, and fly back from another part of the country.

We also will be on somewhat of a budget, so would appreciate any tips to help save money in what I hear can be a very expensive country.

Can't wait til hear what you all have to suggest.

THANK YOU!!!

kybourbon

No way you can do that in 7 days. You need to limit yourself to two locations with only 7 days. Is there any way you can add a couple of more days?

socaltraveler

With that itinerary, and 7 days, there will be no time for chilling, nor can you do all that. You list 6 different locations, and it takes @ 1/2 day to just move from place to place, especially as you are a group of 6.

If you have 7 days on the ground, and hopefully these are not arrival/departure days, pick 2 places (Florence/Tuscany, Venice/Florence, Milan/ Florence), and divide your time between them.

nytraveler

Above is absolutely correct - especially trying to move so many people around. Even if everyone is spot on time, you don;t have any laggards - things will happen . And you will spend the bulk of your time just getting from one place to another. In 7 days - make 2 stops - if you want any time for relaxing at all (even an hour sitting in a cafe).

What you have is the equivalent of seeing boston, New York, Philly and DC - plus stops in Newport, Amish country and Gettysburg along the way in 7 days - after you are jet-lagged.

mamamia2

Venice, Rome or Florence need at LEAST 2-3 days each. Cinque Terra is a place to indulge for 2-3 days (Pisa is not in Cinque Terra, and not worth a special trip), and Tuscany is a place to enjoy for another 3 days.... And traveling time must be calculated in also..... So, as suggested above, make a more logical plan, or extend your trip for another couple weeks....

charnees

Another reality is jet lag. you will be a zombie by the end of your first day, and will
not really get adjusted to the time difference for two or three days, so take that into consideration. By the time you are rally in to the Italian time zone your vacation will be half over.

rhkkmk

i am sending the men in white coats...

for one week confine yourselves to one area, say tuscany..

transportation is a big issue with that many people

gail

Just returned from 10 day trip with new college grad dtr. We did 2 nights in Venice, 4 nights in Florence and 2 nights in Milan, including a day trip out of Florence and one out of Milan. Timing was still a bit tight. First pick either northern or southern Italy, and then 2 cities only.

Milan was by far our least favorite spot - huge city and we more enjoyed our day trip stops at places like Siena, Genoa. Your itinerary will have everyone feeling rushed and angry by Day 3

mamcalice

You have to slow down and figure out what you can reasonably see and do in 7 days. If you must visit Milan, spend a night there then move on to Florence for 6 nights. From there, you can make day trips to Pisa, Tuscan hill towns etc. Or move to Venice for 3 days and Florence for 3 days. Rushed but possible.

annhig

sorry you have got such negative responses starjilly, and i'd love to say "go for it" but really i can't as they are all right! for a trip like the one you describe you'd need 3 weeks, not one.

you have an added complication of quite a large group which for some reason always slows you down.

with a group like that I would rent an apartment or house, and use that as a base for exploring town and city.

siena [which has a nice mix of both within reasonable distance and has a good bus service to florence for a day trip] might be a good place to start.