Advice on a trip to Italy
 

Hi,

My family and I will be spending a week in Italy in July. We are staying in Milan for 4 nights in the Madison Hotel as a base and in florence in the Golden Tulip Kraft Hotel for 3 nights. I would be really grateful to hear any opinions etc about these hotels. We plan on daytrips to Venice and Verona so if anyone has advice on the essential sights to visit in Venice, Verona, Florence and Milan, I would really appreciate it!

Thanks a mill!

Hi DK,

Is there a reason why you are staying in Milan instead of Venice or Verona?

ttt

I agree with Ira. Venice is three hours by train from Milan...not really good as a daytrip. I assume you're flying into Milan? Why not spend the first night or two in Milan, giving you some time to see the sights there, train to Verona, spend a few hours there, then continue on to Venice for the last 2-3 nights? You'd spend much less time traveling and you'd get to enjoy Venice in the early mornings and nighttime, after the daytrippers have gone.

Florence is a great place to visit, and from there you can take a day or two to daytrip some other places in Tuscany, like Siena and some smaller hilltowns.

Dkelly

just came back from there. you can see my trip report as "Italy Trip Report Part 1" for info on Florence and Venice.

However, I agree with Jocelyn. you should take her advice as I think you would enjoy your trip more that way.

cc

One more vote for spending the first night in Milan and then spending 3 nights in Venice with a day trip stop in Verona on the way to Venice. Of all the places you plan to see, Venice is the one deserving of the most time.

Still one more vote for spending the first night in Milan and then going to Verona for a few hours and going on to Venice for a few nights.
I can't give you any advice on your hotels - I haven't stayed in those.
Have a wonderful trip! You will fall in love with Italy.

Another vote for Venice! You'll miss the ambiance and experience of St. Mark's Square if you try to daytrip. It's an experience you can't miss!

And Venice is one of the worst daytrip destinations in Europe even if you are only an hour away. The way the city is laid out and its best known sights situated, daytripping in Venice (especially in the summer) is not a pleasant experience for most people.

Why Milan as a base? Nothing particularly wrong with Milan, but it makes more sense to stay in a city that has a lot more of interest to a visitor.