Nomads1729

Hi everyone! We're planning our 5 year "honeymoon" (we never took a honeymoon after we got married) and we're trying to figure out getting around and what to see in Central Italy. Here's our tentative plan:

1. Fly into Milan (one day)
2. Take a train (??) to Genoa (stay one night on the Riviera...is this the best city to stay in for that?)
3. Take a train (??) to Florence (do we have to get off in Viareggio and take a different train across Tuscany to Florence?)
4. Spend 2 days in Florence (we have a friend there)
5. Take a train (??) to Ancona
6. Take a ferry (??) to Zardar, Croatia (anyone know how to find info on this ferry or how long the trip takes?)
7. Spend two days in Zardar (are there any hotel recommendations or beaches close by to see?)
8. Take a ferry (??) back to Ancona
9. Take a train (??) to Bologna (one night there, any recommendations for hotels or tours?)
10. Take a train (??) to Milan...fly out back to DC.

We'd LOVE any suggestions, tips, websites that may help. Thanks!! Grazi!

flytheworld

Wow, you have a pretty ambitious travel schedule! Getting around Italy by train is pretty easy and straightforward. To maximize your time, consider taking the Eurostar trains when available (they're faster than the IC and regional trains, but also more expensive). Here's a guide with more info on train routes in Italy: http://www.visitingeu.com/western-eu...ain-guide.html.

You may want to consider spending more time in fewer places. Florence, for example, has enough to keep you busy for more than two days.

Happy travels!

Midnightsun

Hello: Given your schedule, you are going to be spending a great deal of time in between and not much time in the actual cities you are visiting. For instance, it seems like you'd have just a late afternoon and an early morning in Genoa and Bologna. There is a lot to see in Bologna, Florence, and Milan. The railway connections are going to eat up a lot of time. Have you thought of renting a car? That might save you some time and give you more flexibility. As far as hotels, what to recommend might depend on your price range. Novecento in the historic heart of Bologna is quite nice. It's a bit under 200 euros. Jadrolinija is a ferry line that runs from Ancona to Zardar.

macanimals

Your proposed schedule appears to be an attempt to transit to and from as many places as possible (??). I cannot imagine willingly attempting this schedule--train to Genoa and leave the following day? Why?--don't you want to experience the place? Any of your destinations are worthy enough but you aren't allowing yourself any time to "be there". You are trying to cover the west coast, central and east coast of Italy as well as Croatia in one week!

Please re-think this and allow yourself to experience your destinations. You can't continue to "gulp" all these destinations in such a short time. Perhaps you could consult your friend in Florence. Good luck.

Nomads1729

Thanks everyone...I'll re-look at the itinerary, we just have such a short amount of time and want to see as much as possible.

Steve_James

Hi Nomads - I'd second Mac's suggestion to re-think this schedule. You're trying to cram in far too much IMO - it looks more like torture than a 'honeymoon' holiday

Personally I'd spend the week in Italy, rather than trying to include a two-day dash to Croatia. Why not 3/4 days on the Riviera and 3 days in Florence/Tuscany? Otherwise your whole trip will be travelling.

Steve

kybourbon

Your schedule will only allow you to see the inside of trains, train stations, ferries and check-in and out of hotels. You aren't allowing time in the actual locations. You only have 9 nights in Italy. You need to pick a max of three places no more than a few hours apart. Forget Croatia. You don't have time.

Nomads1729

Guess we'll have to readress the itinerary. We really wanted to go to Croatia though. We'll do some readjusting and try again. Thanks for your recommendations!