Milan2011

My husband and I are planning our first trip to Italy for two weeks this fall. Would appreciate any feedback on our proposed itinerary:
Arriving in Milan, then headed for 2 nights Lake Como area. From there, hiking Cinque Terre with a night on each end. Then to Florence for 2-3 nights. From Florence, renting a car and traveling to Sienna, Assisi, Ravenna, Bologna and places between, then back to fly out of Milan. We figured train travel for the first parts of the visit. Any suggestions???

suec1

"hiking CT with a night on each end" - I'd suggest staying two nights (or 3) in one place, no need to change - you can hike the trail then return by train to hotel. Personally - I like to stay at least 3 nights in each place - otherwise toomuc time spent packing and unpacking - you could do that with Come, CT, Florence and then one more

charnees

Sue is right about CT. The towns are so close together you can easily catch a train back to your first town, taking just a few minutes. Besides, how would you manage your luggage if you stopped at the far end? Or are you backpacking?

Milan2011

Thanks for your input...I think we are still a bit skewed on actual distances. Would you recommend Sienna as a longer-term stay for doing day trips with a car rental?

Lexma90

Siena works as a longer-term stay if you find a place where it's easy to park and get in and out of the city with your rental car. Or stay outside of the city, but then it's more difficult to take those lovely late-evening strolls through the city.

Use a map, google maps or viamichelin, to plot the distances you're considering. Bologna, Ravenna and Assisi are all too far, IMHO, for day trips from Siena. The closest of those - Assisi, is almost a 2-hour drive each way. If you're going to stay in Siena, then plan to visit towns near there, such as Pienza, San Gimignano, Volterra, Montalcino or Montepulciano.

Bologna and Ravenna are close to each other, and if you love mosaics, then you should definitely visit Ravenna. The mosaics there are amazing.

qwovadis

Did a round Robin out of Milan last year

Trains went everywhere lots cheaper less libility expense

than car although have done both seat61.com best for me

Have done tigercarrentals.com out of Milan MXP

Did www.bellagio.info www.hotelflorencebellagio.it

www.stresa.org for Isola Bella Hotel Grand Dino

SML/Portofino www.metropole.it

Manarola www.torrettas.com

lucca.info Florence www.sirmione.com back to MXP

wonderful journey... Ravenna ok Mosaics otherwise

underwhelming Torcello www.venice-tourism.com

lots better good Mosaics prettier magical water city

my fav in the world headed there again next year just booked.

Happy Travels