owkdupd

We arrive on May 23 for a 3 week driving trip in Northern Italy, arriving & departing from Milan. We like art, architecture, markets, and enjoying local culture and prefer a moderately fast travel pace, seeing many places, as opposed to spending a long time in one place.

I have put together a proposed itinerary and I would really appreciate comments from people familiar with the area. Also, is it necessary to book hotels before we leave or will we be able to book a day or two in advance, leaving us more flexibility.

So, here’s the proposed trip. Thanks in advance for sharing your insights.

Day 1 Arrive Milan, visit Pavia and stay near Cremona

Day 2 Visit Cremona and Mantova, stay in Parma

Day 3 Visit Parma, Pistoia and Pisa, stay in Lucca

Day 4 Visit Lucca, stay near Florence

Day 5 - 6 Visit Florence

Day 7 Visit San Gimignano and Siena, stay in Siena

Day 8 Visit and stay in Assisi

Day 9 Visit and stay in Ravenna

Day 10 - 11 Visit and stay in Bologna

Day 12 Visit Ferrara and Padua, stay in Padua

Day 13 - 15 Visit and stay in Venezia

Day 16 Visit Vicenza and Palladio, stay in Palladio

Day 17 Visit and stay in Verona

Day 18 – 20 Visit and stay somewhere in the Lakes district (any suggestions)

Day 21 -22 Visit and stay in Milan, fly away home

If you have any recommendations on sights, hotels or restaurants, I would love to hear them.

Thanks
Kathy in Los Gatos, CA

ira

Hi K,

I'm exhausted.

14 hotels in 21 nights.

Are you sure about this?

TuckH

I second ira's opinion.

You can still see 'many places' without staying in 'many places'. Try to find a way to radiate out (take daytrips) from a central location. It's time-consuming checking in and out.

For instance, Mantova could be a base for Cremona, Parma, Padua, Vicenza and Verona. (There is no town 'Palladio'.)

Lugano is my suggestion for The Lakes - similar reasons. And, Yes, I'd try to book ahead so as to save time once you're in Italy...

bobthenavigator

That is a scavenger hunt not a pleasure trip. I would cut back to a max of 6 destinations for overnites. You have the potential for a great trip here but not at that pace.

ira

>For instance, Mantova could be a base for Cremona, Parma, Padua, Vicenza and Verona.

We open in Venice/
We then play Verona/
Then on to Cremona/
(Lot's of loot in Cremona)/
Our next stop is Parma/
(That nasty little menace)/
Then Mantua/
Then Padua/
And we open again, in Venice.

ellenem

Ah--Ira is a Cole Porter fan . . .

Yes--you can see all these places. Please rethink all the time wasted changing hotels every day. Each time you change hotels it will eat up almost half a day checking in and out. As others have said, choose a few hubs where you can stay and then venture out on day trips. If you were at home, would you book a hotel to visit a place an hour away? Many of your desinations are within an hour's drive of one another so they can be grouped easily.

Budman

In the Lake area, look at Mennagio or Lenno since you will have a car. You can always boat to Bellagio.

jabez

"That is a scavenger hunt not a pleasure trip."

Bob said what most of us feel.
This isn't "moderately fast pace travel", it's a whirlwind of activity.
Start eliminating.

bktport

As you rethink and reschedule as suggested, when you get to Verona you will have seen lots of Italy. Consider heading north from Verona to Bolzano. Spend one day and one night there. You will see an Italy totally different in food, culture, scenery, and activity than any of the other cities on your list.

TravMimi

I'm exhausted too! Don't forget that between "stay" and "visit" there is "get to". Lots of travel time.

Wayne

Remain undaunted, at least as far as your destinations named in the itinerary. Just do as others have advised: Pick several places to stay (I'd say maybe 4 or 5) and drive from each to the other locations. But remember that all you are accomplishing in many of these places is "seeing," not tasting and feeling.