Going back to Venice first time after 25 years. This is a new chapter in my life--vacationing with my new love--and I am definitely interested in travelling more easily (and, alas, less frugally) than a quarter of a century ago. Leaving the states on Oct 10, returning on the 19th. Can I take in some leisurely sights of Venice, Florence and Milan (where the plane lands and leaves from) in this time? Any suggestions for logistics, timing, and places to stay? I am committed only to Venice, and would appreciate any suggestions for changes. (I do remember the light of Florence, and would love to be there again if practicality permits.) Thanks so much for any suggestions.

Hi Marty,

Lucky you.

I would fly into Milan, go directly to Venice for 4-5 days, spend 4-3 days in Florence, train back to Milan, stay overnight, fly home.

"Love is lovelier the second time around......."

Yes, lucky me. Thanks. Would you fly from Venice to Florence, or by train?

Absolutely the train. Couldn't be easier. It is about 3 & 1/2 hrs on the Eurostar and costs about $30 pp, give or take a few.

If I'm not mistaken, bugswife1 meant to say TWO and a half hours by train (maybe 2:45?); it's only about 4 hours and change onward (From Venice) to Rome.

I might propose that you forego masking the trip south to Tuscany (though it will bo, of course warmer as you head south, and in October this could be important to your enjoying it. There is no shortage of what you can enjoy along the Milan-Venice axis: Monza, Bergamo, Brescia, Sirmione, Verona, Padua, Trento (okay - - that's about an hour north of Verona).

Best wishes,

Rex


Best wishes,

Rex

Hi Marty,

As noted, no need to fly Venice to Florence.

You might find this link helpful.

Helpful Information: Italy http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34443340

I took the train from Venice to Milan in October, and it was a very easy trip. I assume the same is true in the opposite direction. There's no need to fly for such a relatively short trip.

Unless you have a burning desire to revisit Milan or to see some of the beautiful places near Milan, I'd suggest splitting your time between Venice and Florence and just spending the last night in Milan before your flight. That's not because there's nothing worth seeing in Milan. There is, but since your vacation is so short and big, busy Milan is not (to me) as enjoyable as the other two destinations, I'd skip it, given my preferences. If you haven't been to Florence in 25 years, you will probably find the atmosphere very different these days (very congested and polluted), as I did when I revisited it in 1997 after about 25 years, but you may still love it.

In fact, Milan itself is not really that close to Malpensa, so you could even consider staying in some appealing smaller city or town near Milan and going to the airport from there. However, so long as your flight isn't too early out of Malpensa, the advantage of Milan is that you can take the inexpensive shuttle bus to the airport from the central RR station. But if your flight is too early to take advantage of the shuttle anyway, and you'd be stuck taking a taxi, you might just consider staying someplace esle if you want to.) If you decide to spoend a few days in Milan, some good places to visit on daytrips from there would be Bergamo (nice for a full day trip), Vigevano (mainly to see the amazing main square), someplace around Lake Como (long full day trip if you want to take the boat from town to town once there). Any of those might also be alternatives for a last night before your flight. (Last time I was in Italy, I stayed in Vigevano instead of Milan my last night and got a ride to the airport from a friend.) I've never been to Pavia, but I think that would also be an excellent day trip idea from Milan.

When you land on the 10th, take a private car immediately up to Varenna. www.varenna.net or one of the other lovely hotels. Stay there and be romantic for 2 nights. Then hop the train in Varenna and train through Milan to Venice for 3 nights (possible stopover in Verona?). Train to Florence for 2-3 more nights (maybe an overnight in Bologna for a smaller city feel). I live in Chicago and found Florence just another big busy city. But many people still love it. Last night in Milan then a quick morning shuttle to Malpensa. Ciao and congrats!

Thanks so much for the suggestions. I particularly like the idea of eliminating Milano or using it only as a temporary love nest, and taking Eurostars back and forth. Thank-you, also, Ira, for the fodor's link. Someone has suggested the American Hotel in Venice. The recommendations on this site are extensive, but has anyone stayed there recently? Thanks again.