I’m a solo female experienced traveler planning my Italy itinerary for early September 2010. It’s been over 20 years since I was in Venice and Florence and over 30 since I was in Rome. I am traveling by train as a car doesn’t make sense for a solo traveler and certainly not in cities. I traveled with carryon only on my last trip and plan to do the same this time. I enjoy art, architecture and gardens. I am looking at about 18 days in Italy after 5 days in Berlin with family.

The more I research, the more places I find that I want to see. I am concentrating on northern Italy from Venice to Rome with Milan, Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Florence, a day trip to a couple of hill towns in Tuscany, Orvieto and Rome. This will mean that I get to Rome mid September when I hope it’s a little cooler. I know there are other wonderful places in these areas, but if I try to see everything I won’t see anything.

I’ve compiled a list of the sights that interest me with opening times so that I can have options available. I’m prioritizing the “must see” “like to see” and “if I have time and am in the area”. I know where I need to make reservations (secret itineraries tour at the Doges palace (maybe), and San Marco in Venice; Last Supper in Milan; Uffizi and Acadameia in Florence; Scavi tour, Vatican museums and Galleria Borghese in Rome). Am I missing others where reservations are necessary? I want to leave some of my time unscheduled so that I can wander and experience each area, not just check it off a list.

My current plan is:

• Fly to Venice from Berlin – Arrive by noon, leave morning of 4th day – 3 nights.

• Train from Venice to Milan – here is my question on how to schedule my time – with 4 -5 days how to see the major sights in Milan, spend time in Varenna – Bellagio and also in Stresa without changing hotels more than twice. I want to do a minimum of 2 nights in any area – I hate one night stays. Would it make sense to check my bag at the train station when I get in from Venice and visit the Duomo, Galleria and the Santa Maria della Grazie and then go on to Varenna to spend two days on Lake Como? I would travel back through Milan and on to Stresa. Or does it make more sense to visit Milan in between the Lake days? I have to determine when so that I can make reservations for the Last Supper. The Borromean islands sound wonderful. Many of the guidebooks emphasize how wonderful the gardens are in the spring when the azaleas are in bloom, but I can’t travel then – are they still great in September?

• Train to Florence – 3 to 4 nights allowing one day for a trip to Siena and/or San Gimignano

• Train to Rome – (possible stop in Orvieto on the way or day trip from Rome) – 7 nights. This will include day trips to Ostia Antica and Tivoli.

• Fly to US from Rome

This would give me five hotels – Venice 3 nights, Varenna or Bellagio 2 nights, Stresa 2 nights, Florence 3-4 nights and Rome 7 nights. I know that an apartment may be cheaper than a hotel in Rome, but I don’t want to isolate myself and prefer a hotel.

Does this plan sound reasonable? Suggestions on the Milan / Lakes days? Stop in Orvieto with luggage on slower train or go as a day trip from Rome? Sorry to be so long winded, but I wanted to give relevant details.

This sounds like a lovely, carefully considered trip, with reasonable amounts of time in each location. (Can I join you?)

I have done similar days to your possible plan to just dump the bags at Milano Centrale, do a quick visit, and head to the lakes. Watch the schedule carefully: trains to Varenna-Esino depart every two hours.

I've visited Villa Carlotta on Lake Como in both the spring and September. Certainly the gardens were more flamboyantly beautiful in the spring with the azaleas and rhododendrons in bloom. However, the gardens have many different areas with other types of plantings. And you always have the magnificent views of the lake.

I think you can make the Orvieto decision when the time comes. At that point you will have been traveling for more than two weeks. When you are ready to head to Rome, just decide then--yes, i'd like to stop along the way in Orvieto OR no, I just want to get to Rome and I'll think about Orvieto later in the week.

Concur with Ellenem. If this is your first visit to Italy, I'd minimize the time in Milano proper, and I'd also leave some flexibiility. Pity you can't find time to see Verona, perhaps on the way to Milano.

I know that there are so many other wonderful places, but if I add any more, I will rush too much and everything will be a blur. They will have to wait for another time.

My main concern is when to fit in Milan. Does it make more sense on the way from Venice or between the lakes? I would wait until I'm there to decide if it weren't for needing reservations for the Last Supper. Any thoughts?

Hi Ing,

>....when to fit in Milan. Does it make more sense on the way from Venice or between the lakes? <

Since you have to go through Milan, it would seem reasonable to stop off on the way to Stresa.

Enjoy your visit.