June '17-Verona Piedmont Liguria?
Sep 14th, 2016, 06:17 AM
#1
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June '17-Verona Piedmont Liguria?
Ok, so I think we are trimming down choices for a June 2017 trip.
In 2014 we traveled to Venice/Bologna/Siena/Florence. We are 2 adults +11yo. Missed CT last time and would like to see it-understanding that it is VERY crowded we would hope to stay several days and start early in the AM. Also very interested in Verona, Piedmont regions.
We are looking at possibly flying into Venice and out of Milan? or Florence? Or in/out Florence?
Thoughts appreciated...
In 2014 we traveled to Venice/Bologna/Siena/Florence. We are 2 adults +11yo. Missed CT last time and would like to see it-understanding that it is VERY crowded we would hope to stay several days and start early in the AM. Also very interested in Verona, Piedmont regions.
We are looking at possibly flying into Venice and out of Milan? or Florence? Or in/out Florence?
Thoughts appreciated...
Sep 14th, 2016, 07:29 AM
#4
How much time do you have? Will you have a car?
I'd skip the CT again and plan to visit it sometime in the future at a less popular time of year. I'd add places/things in the Verona area, like the Ice Man Museum in Bolzano, a couple of days driving in the Dolomites, exploring Lake Garda, a day trip by train to Padova, Vicenza or Mantova, etc.
Unless you can fly directly into Venice without a connection, I'd look into flying into Verona. The departing flight would depend on where you end up going and the flight options to your home airport from the various Italian airports. Turin, Milan, Genoa, Pisa, Florence....
I'd skip the CT again and plan to visit it sometime in the future at a less popular time of year. I'd add places/things in the Verona area, like the Ice Man Museum in Bolzano, a couple of days driving in the Dolomites, exploring Lake Garda, a day trip by train to Padova, Vicenza or Mantova, etc.
Unless you can fly directly into Venice without a connection, I'd look into flying into Verona. The departing flight would depend on where you end up going and the flight options to your home airport from the various Italian airports. Turin, Milan, Genoa, Pisa, Florence....
Sep 14th, 2016, 07:39 AM
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Or2nh4me2:
A close look at our favorite Piemonte town and a villa recommended by EKSCRUNCHY. We loved it with its proximity to some of the gastro gems and other sites in the region.
https://goo.gl/photos/t5VhDR6ZTuPHspSB7
A close look at our favorite Piemonte town and a villa recommended by EKSCRUNCHY. We loved it with its proximity to some of the gastro gems and other sites in the region.
https://goo.gl/photos/t5VhDR6ZTuPHspSB7
Sep 14th, 2016, 08:11 AM
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Hi,
We would have 10 full days. Will use trains/busses only. Award travel would work to fly into and out of some combo of Venice/Florence, Florence/Florence Milan/Florence, or Venice/Milan.
Jean, we are limited to February/April/June for travel so CT looks like it is a must this time.
We would have 10 full days. Will use trains/busses only. Award travel would work to fly into and out of some combo of Venice/Florence, Florence/Florence Milan/Florence, or Venice/Milan.
Jean, we are limited to February/April/June for travel so CT looks like it is a must this time.
Sep 14th, 2016, 08:17 AM
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If I was going to return to CT, it would be April over June, but you have to do what works for you.
Piedmont is not ideal with public transport, but I had a nice time in Asti and Alba, easily reached via train and bus from Milan. We proceeded to the coast from there.
Ao, with at least 3 nights in CT, that leaves 9-10 nights for your departure and arrival points plus Verona.
Piedmont is not ideal with public transport, but I had a nice time in Asti and Alba, easily reached via train and bus from Milan. We proceeded to the coast from there.
Ao, with at least 3 nights in CT, that leaves 9-10 nights for your departure and arrival points plus Verona.
Sep 14th, 2016, 09:59 AM
#8
It depends on the airline, but we flew into Verona on award points. (We can't fly direct to Venice from Los Angeles.)
I think you need to do some research to see how long it takes to get around and where you can go using only public transportation. Ten days isn't very long when you're trying to cover so much geography. The Cinque Terre in particular requires a lot of travel time.
I suggest you plot out your days in real time and indicate both sightseeing time and travel time.
For example, Verona to Vernazza takes 5+ hours and involves multiple connections. Verona to Asti takes about 4 hours, and Asti to Vernazza is 3+ hours, both with multiple connections. Both the CT and the Piedmont are a bit far from your departing airport, so whether you fly out of Florence or Milan, you'll probably need to spend the last night in/near that city or airport.
Day 1. Arrive Venice. Travel to Verona (2 hours).
Day 2. Verona
Day 3. Verona
Day 4. Travel to XX (4-5+ hours, arrive mid-afternoon).
Day 5. See XX.
Day 6. See XX.
Day 7. Travel to YY (3+ hours).
Day 8. See YY.
Day 9. See YY.
Day 10. Travel to ZZ (2-4 hours).
Day 11. Depart.
I think you need to do some research to see how long it takes to get around and where you can go using only public transportation. Ten days isn't very long when you're trying to cover so much geography. The Cinque Terre in particular requires a lot of travel time.
I suggest you plot out your days in real time and indicate both sightseeing time and travel time.
For example, Verona to Vernazza takes 5+ hours and involves multiple connections. Verona to Asti takes about 4 hours, and Asti to Vernazza is 3+ hours, both with multiple connections. Both the CT and the Piedmont are a bit far from your departing airport, so whether you fly out of Florence or Milan, you'll probably need to spend the last night in/near that city or airport.
Day 1. Arrive Venice. Travel to Verona (2 hours).
Day 2. Verona
Day 3. Verona
Day 4. Travel to XX (4-5+ hours, arrive mid-afternoon).
Day 5. See XX.
Day 6. See XX.
Day 7. Travel to YY (3+ hours).
Day 8. See YY.
Day 9. See YY.
Day 10. Travel to ZZ (2-4 hours).
Day 11. Depart.
Sep 14th, 2016, 11:46 AM
#9
Fly into Venice and out of Milan as MXP works well for the Piemonte and CT.
We used Milan MXP when we stayed in Liguria.
The Piemonte will be welcome after Venice and CT as it is uncrowded and less touristed.
We used Milan MXP when we stayed in Liguria.
The Piemonte will be welcome after Venice and CT as it is uncrowded and less touristed.
Sep 16th, 2016, 02:05 AM
#11
We flew into Milan. Very convenient train hub. Our itinerary in July for 23 nights was - Milan, Vernazza, Volterra, Florence, Verona, Trento, Ortisei - (the Italy portion of our trip).
We knew the CT would be crowded, but we enjoyed it. We had 3 nights in Vernazza, stayed in an apartment overlooking the main street, ate at a great restaurant (il Pirate) at the quiet end of town, walked to Monterosso (recommend), ferry to Portovenere (also fabulous). Sure, we weren't the only ones there
but it was gorgeous. Trains between villages were very busy, but we didn't use them much. The main street can look like a sea of tourists, but wander down the back alleys of Vernazza, just off the crowded main street, and it is quiet. Do spend an hour or 2 at the Vernazza Wine Experience, up some back stairs, overlooking the ocean, wonderful. I have photos on my TR if you're interested.
Loved Verona! So beautiful.
So jealous... Already want to go back to Italy....
We knew the CT would be crowded, but we enjoyed it. We had 3 nights in Vernazza, stayed in an apartment overlooking the main street, ate at a great restaurant (il Pirate) at the quiet end of town, walked to Monterosso (recommend), ferry to Portovenere (also fabulous). Sure, we weren't the only ones there
but it was gorgeous. Trains between villages were very busy, but we didn't use them much. The main street can look like a sea of tourists, but wander down the back alleys of Vernazza, just off the crowded main street, and it is quiet. Do spend an hour or 2 at the Vernazza Wine Experience, up some back stairs, overlooking the ocean, wonderful. I have photos on my TR if you're interested. Loved Verona! So beautiful.
So jealous... Already want to go back to Italy....
Sep 22nd, 2016, 04:21 AM
#13
Re: flying into Verona (VRN) a lot may depend on your origin and also which airline works best for you. You can reach it from a variety of gateways using both legacy carriers as well as budget airlines.
You say you are looking at possibly fly into several cities but you do not say why you picked those particular places and knowing why you did would be helpful.
Be aware that Verona will start to get much busier around mid-June with the beginning of the annual opera event.
I would really REALLY like to help you but frankly, more info from you is needed.
You say you are looking at possibly fly into several cities but you do not say why you picked those particular places and knowing why you did would be helpful.
Be aware that Verona will start to get much busier around mid-June with the beginning of the annual opera event.
I would really REALLY like to help you but frankly, more info from you is needed.
Sep 25th, 2016, 06:37 AM
#14
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Hi All-
We are now booked flying in to Venice 6/19, and out of Florence 6/29.
We enjoy being outdoors, and would like to blend that with cultural/historical experiences (i.e. exploring ruins-castles-towers/bike riding/walking). Some time in museums is great, but we will have my 11yo daughter (she's the one who hasn't been to Venice) so we are trying to balance it out.
We are interested in Verona because it looks like there is a lot to do, it's beautiful, and is an easy train ride from Venice. Lake Garda is another area we are considering, because of the natural beauty to explore, and opportunity to cool off with a swim. However, we would be open to other northern towns-or even some time in Milan or Genoa if that made sense. CT is a definite, so we have to structure our time so that we can get there.
Now we just need an itinerary!
We are now booked flying in to Venice 6/19, and out of Florence 6/29.
We enjoy being outdoors, and would like to blend that with cultural/historical experiences (i.e. exploring ruins-castles-towers/bike riding/walking). Some time in museums is great, but we will have my 11yo daughter (she's the one who hasn't been to Venice) so we are trying to balance it out.
We are interested in Verona because it looks like there is a lot to do, it's beautiful, and is an easy train ride from Venice. Lake Garda is another area we are considering, because of the natural beauty to explore, and opportunity to cool off with a swim. However, we would be open to other northern towns-or even some time in Milan or Genoa if that made sense. CT is a definite, so we have to structure our time so that we can get there.
Now we just need an itinerary!
Sep 25th, 2016, 12:53 PM
#15
IMO, you're still dreaming of a lot of places in the time you have.
The opera season in Verona opens 6/23/17. As Dukey1 mentioned upthread, the city will be busier, hotel rooms less available and at higher rates. But you can do some research ASAP to see what you can confirm now.
Without a car, it's hard to visit many towns/sights on Lake Garda in less than 2-3 days. If I had one day from Verona, I'd train to Desenzano del Garda at 8:00a, catch the ferry shortly after 9:00a to Malcesine. I'd ride the cable car from Malcesine (buy tickets in advance), have lunch on top, hike around a bit and ride back down. If you have time before the last ferry (about 5:45p), you could visit the castle in town. (Consider buying the combined cable car + castle ticket.) Have dinner in Sirmione or Desenzano and then train back to Verona. It would be a long day, but several hours are sitting on the ferry.
Here's the ferry timetable from this summer:
http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/g_dow...i%20Rapidi.pdf
The Malcesine cable car:
http://www.funiviedelbaldo.it/index.php?lang=en
The castle:
http://www.casapopi.com/eng/the_scal...arda_lake.html
And here's an idea of an itinerary:
Mon., 6/19 Arrive Venice. Explore.
Tues., 6/20 Explore Venice.
Wed., 6/21 Explore Venice.
Thurs., 6/22 Train to Verona. Explore.
Fri., 6/23 Explore Verona.
Sat., 6/24 Day trip to Sirmione/Lake Garda.
Sun., 6/25 Train to the CT.
Mon., 6/26 Explore the CT.
Tues., 6/27 Explore the CT.
Wed., 6/28 Train to Florence. Explore.
Thurs., 6/29 Fly home.
The opera season in Verona opens 6/23/17. As Dukey1 mentioned upthread, the city will be busier, hotel rooms less available and at higher rates. But you can do some research ASAP to see what you can confirm now.
Without a car, it's hard to visit many towns/sights on Lake Garda in less than 2-3 days. If I had one day from Verona, I'd train to Desenzano del Garda at 8:00a, catch the ferry shortly after 9:00a to Malcesine. I'd ride the cable car from Malcesine (buy tickets in advance), have lunch on top, hike around a bit and ride back down. If you have time before the last ferry (about 5:45p), you could visit the castle in town. (Consider buying the combined cable car + castle ticket.) Have dinner in Sirmione or Desenzano and then train back to Verona. It would be a long day, but several hours are sitting on the ferry.
Here's the ferry timetable from this summer:
http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/g_dow...i%20Rapidi.pdf
The Malcesine cable car:
http://www.funiviedelbaldo.it/index.php?lang=en
The castle:
http://www.casapopi.com/eng/the_scal...arda_lake.html
And here's an idea of an itinerary:
Mon., 6/19 Arrive Venice. Explore.
Tues., 6/20 Explore Venice.
Wed., 6/21 Explore Venice.
Thurs., 6/22 Train to Verona. Explore.
Fri., 6/23 Explore Verona.
Sat., 6/24 Day trip to Sirmione/Lake Garda.
Sun., 6/25 Train to the CT.
Mon., 6/26 Explore the CT.
Tues., 6/27 Explore the CT.
Wed., 6/28 Train to Florence. Explore.
Thurs., 6/29 Fly home.
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