14 days in Italy. need some help:)
 

Hi Experts,

I am planning my very first trip to Italy, so I want to make the most out of it. Right now everything is flexible, but I am flying in Milan on 5/21 and flying out Rome on 6/4. I will have 14 full days in Italy.

My plan so far: Milan (2~3 days) - Venice (1~2 days) - Florence (4~5 days) with day trip like Pisa and Siena - Rome (4~5 days)

Are there any other cities/small town that I should visit in between these places? Or should I switch my schedule around?

For example, I heard Cinque Terre is really nice but I am not exactly sure how to fit that into my tight schedule.

Please let me know if you have any good recommendations on my itinerary. I appreciate your help:)

Allan

What are your interests and sightseeing preferences? Are you sure you need 2-3 days in Milan and that 1-2 days in Venice will be enough time? How long are your sightseeing lists for each?

Just so you know, a day trip from Florence to both Pisa and Siena in the same day would involve at least 4 hours sitting on buses and trains. Trips on different days would be better IMO.

flip the number of days Venice and Milan

Actually you have 13 full days plus a half a jet-lagged day.

I would work on your list of what YOU want to see/do in each place to determine how many days where. I would cut back (actually off) Milan unless you really want to se La Supper (and do you have tickets yet, it may be too late) and add at least one day to Venice.

Also agree to a couple of day trips to smaller Tuscan towns from Florence.

CT is primarily hiking - so not for me. Is that a major activity for you?

HI Allan, We are doing a similar trip but starting in Rome and ending in Milan in Sep. Following the thread with great interest!

I agree that unless there is something very specific you wish to do in Milan I would add those days to Venice.

More time in Venice, less in Milan!

Agree with flip the number of days for Venice and Milan. IMO you don't have time to see more villages. Each time you change cities it takes up to a half-day: breakfast, pack, check out of hotel, get to train station, find train, train ride to next city, get from train station to new hotel, check in, drop bags, now it's time for lunch.

I know everyone loves Siena and Pisa, but I'd take the train from Florence to Bologna for a day.... It's a 25-minute train ride. Bologna is neglected by tourists, but I love it. Pisa, to me, is nothing more than the tower.

Yep - more time in Venice. Even do a day trip, or two from there.