11 days in Italy in late December
Oct 5th, 2019 | 04:36 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2015
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11 days in Italy in late December
We have our tickets booked with following dates as we had to decide our holiday plans by Certain date for the work place requirement, but no itinerary yet. We are looking for initial guidance from helpful Fodorites so that we can do in depth research and come back. We are fairly experienced travelers, our last european trip was to Croatia in May 2019.
Reaching Rome on December 24 midday, Leaving for Atlanta from Milan on Jan 5 at 630 am flight.
The tickets are non refundable, so we are locked in, but within these dates we are fully open. We will have fair amount of luggage as we are doing this trip as a stop over while returning to Atlanta.
If possible we would like to include Amafi coast atleast for a day
Thanks a lot for any suggestions
Reaching Rome on December 24 midday, Leaving for Atlanta from Milan on Jan 5 at 630 am flight.
The tickets are non refundable, so we are locked in, but within these dates we are fully open. We will have fair amount of luggage as we are doing this trip as a stop over while returning to Atlanta.
If possible we would like to include Amafi coast atleast for a day
Thanks a lot for any suggestions
Oct 5th, 2019 | 04:49 AM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
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I think looking for initial guidance before you do some in-depth research is a backwards way to approach a trip, personally. And the lazy way. You'll just get general suggestions that cover a broad spectrum and be confusing to sort out, because you've provided so little information about what motivates this trip.
That said, given your dates, the last place I'd choose to visit would be the Amalfi Coast, especially if I were leaving from Milan, and visiting it for a day would be a waste of time unless you were based for awhile in the area, which would also be a bad idea at that time of year and which you don't have time for.
That said, given your dates, the last place I'd choose to visit would be the Amalfi Coast, especially if I were leaving from Milan, and visiting it for a day would be a waste of time unless you were based for awhile in the area, which would also be a bad idea at that time of year and which you don't have time for.
Oct 5th, 2019 | 05:19 AM
#3
Joined: Mar 2013
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As above. What are you planning to do/to visit?
Be aware that museums etc. may have modified opening hours between Christmas and new Year.
The Amalfi coast is way too far away if you plan to assist to the New Year's Eve Festivities of Naples.
Be aware that museums etc. may have modified opening hours between Christmas and new Year.
The Amalfi coast is way too far away if you plan to assist to the New Year's Eve Festivities of Naples.
Oct 5th, 2019 | 07:36 AM
#4
Joined: Jun 2008
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Rome to Milan in December. Upon googling weather in both towns, I'd say stay in Rome the longest if possible. If you google things to do in Rome, you'll want to stay a month!
After Rome, you could take the train to Bologna and get some great food as well as being protected from the elements by its many porticos.
Milano's Duomo, Last Supper, La Scala Museum, and the Galleria would provide mostly indoor activities.
After Rome, you could take the train to Bologna and get some great food as well as being protected from the elements by its many porticos.
Milano's Duomo, Last Supper, La Scala Museum, and the Galleria would provide mostly indoor activities.
Oct 19th, 2019 | 08:42 AM
#5
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2015
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Train suggestions
We have booked accommodations as follwos:
4 nights in Rome, 4 nights in Florence , 3 nights in Venice and 1 night in Milan for the departure next day. We would appreciate suggestions for atleast 1 day trip in each place and best mode of transportation.
Also, I checked Rome to Florence and Florence to Venice and Venice to Milan train tickets on Italiarail site, they are available for between $30 and $40 pp. Should we buy in advance , if so how much in advance?
Checked on the same site for florence to Pisa on either Dec 29, 30 or 31, only available is trains with 1 connection and 5 hours one way! Does it sound right? Is there a alternative way to go to Pisa? Will greatly apprecia
4 nights in Rome, 4 nights in Florence , 3 nights in Venice and 1 night in Milan for the departure next day. We would appreciate suggestions for atleast 1 day trip in each place and best mode of transportation.
Also, I checked Rome to Florence and Florence to Venice and Venice to Milan train tickets on Italiarail site, they are available for between $30 and $40 pp. Should we buy in advance , if so how much in advance?
Checked on the same site for florence to Pisa on either Dec 29, 30 or 31, only available is trains with 1 connection and 5 hours one way! Does it sound right? Is there a alternative way to go to Pisa? Will greatly apprecia
Oct 19th, 2019 | 05:05 PM
#6
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,266
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There are many daily inexpensive regional trains between Florence and Pisa that take about an hour. The complete schedules for December and beyond have not been loaded yet. Check a schedule for a date next week to get an idea of the regular schedule to Pisa.
Oct 19th, 2019 | 07:48 PM
#7
Joined: Mar 2007
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Curious, what kinds of things do you most enjoy? Museums, art, food, architecture, history, etc?
Rome is a stop over trip? Where are you coming from before that?
You will need winter layers of clothing, but try to make luggage reasonable for lifting on trains.
Forget Amalfi Coast this trip.
There is so much to see in Rome, you can easily fill three days! Ostia Antica is the most reasonable day trip, depends on interests and weather.
From Florence, perhaps Siena by bus, or Luca plus Pisa by train.
I like the idea of stopping in Bologna, at least for lunch.
Two days is not much for Venice. Play it by ear. You can do a day trip on the spur of the moment, depending on weather. I personally love the islands and Vicenza, but not if it is rainy or windy.
Rather than touring Milan, I “might” consider stoping in Verona for a few hours, stashing luggage at the station, walking around and having lunch there.
Rome is a stop over trip? Where are you coming from before that?
You will need winter layers of clothing, but try to make luggage reasonable for lifting on trains.
Forget Amalfi Coast this trip.
There is so much to see in Rome, you can easily fill three days! Ostia Antica is the most reasonable day trip, depends on interests and weather.
From Florence, perhaps Siena by bus, or Luca plus Pisa by train.
I like the idea of stopping in Bologna, at least for lunch.
Two days is not much for Venice. Play it by ear. You can do a day trip on the spur of the moment, depending on weather. I personally love the islands and Vicenza, but not if it is rainy or windy.
Rather than touring Milan, I “might” consider stoping in Verona for a few hours, stashing luggage at the station, walking around and having lunch there.
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Oct 19th, 2019 | 11:48 PM
#8
Joined: Jun 2017
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Rome is too big to consider a day trip with only four days total. Even more so when you factor in the holiday closings.
There is a train schedule change the 12th of December. The regional trains are some of the last to get posted. Florence to Pisa is just under an hour depending on which run. The multistop more common run is almost a full hour. The non stop is I think fifty minutes. About €9 per person one way.
Italo is showing Rome to Florence starting at €15 with no sale. TrenItalia at €25. Or you could take advantage of the weekend Italo sales and save a couple more euros.
Your dates will be popular travel days with Italians. Book in advance if you want to save some money. Or risk riding in the first class car.
There is a train schedule change the 12th of December. The regional trains are some of the last to get posted. Florence to Pisa is just under an hour depending on which run. The multistop more common run is almost a full hour. The non stop is I think fifty minutes. About €9 per person one way.
Italo is showing Rome to Florence starting at €15 with no sale. TrenItalia at €25. Or you could take advantage of the weekend Italo sales and save a couple more euros.
Your dates will be popular travel days with Italians. Book in advance if you want to save some money. Or risk riding in the first class car.
Nov 14th, 2019 | 03:04 AM
#9
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Hi
I suggest you to get a budget tour diver (privet) with a car for the tour. I was in Italy using a nice & useful tour driver with a new car who is really having a good knowledge of Europe & Italy trips as well as influence with hotel bookings . He was really awesome and helped us to make our trips memorable. We always use him for our friends and family trip in Italy & Switzerland mostly. His rates are 60% lesser than the Taxis and other operators.
If you are interested , I can recommend him for the tour.
I suggest you to get a budget tour diver (privet) with a car for the tour. I was in Italy using a nice & useful tour driver with a new car who is really having a good knowledge of Europe & Italy trips as well as influence with hotel bookings . He was really awesome and helped us to make our trips memorable. We always use him for our friends and family trip in Italy & Switzerland mostly. His rates are 60% lesser than the Taxis and other operators.
If you are interested , I can recommend him for the tour.
Nov 14th, 2019 | 03:27 AM
#10
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 30,832
Likes: 4
The train between Florence and Pisa and Lucca is a commuter train (pretty frequent) (two lines but similar direction) along the lines are a whole bunch of small medieval towns which in that time of the year might well prove useful as half day visits.
Last edited by bilboburgler; Nov 14th, 2019 at 03:31 AM.
