Feedback on Italy Itinerary
 

My husband and I leave for Italy in 4 weeks. We have pretty much decided upon our itinerary and have hotels reserved at most of the cities, but are looking for any last minute feedback.<BR><BR>Fly in to Milan, take train to Bellagio<BR>2 nights Bellagio<BR>Train to Venice, 3 nights <BR>Train to Florence, 3 nights<BR>Rent car, 3 nights Montalcino<BR>Drop off car at train to Rome, 3 nights Rome<BR>Fly home out of Rome<BR><BR>We are in our early 30s and enjoy scenary, outdoors, food, wine, architecture, history. I enjoy art as well, but in order to keep my husband happy we don't want to spend too much time in museums. Does anyone have suggested changes to our itinerary or, if everything looks good to you, do you have suggestions for great ways to spend our time? We have tour books with the regular stuff, but I am interested in unusual/creative things to do in order to see the "real Italy".<BR><BR>Thanks for any ideas or help!!!<BR><BR>Kelly

KELLY:<BR>Your trip sounds doable. FYI, you can get a bus directly from Malpensa to Como, then a boat to Bellagio.

Itinerary looks good, alhtough I would probably opt for less time in Montalcino unless you have wine tours planned. <BR>There are a lot of museums in Florence, and you can spend a lot of time in them, but check out the Science Musuem with some of Galileos' experiments. It's small, but definitely interesting, if you have O.D.'d on fine art.<BR>We're going to Ialy in 3 weeks - for a change of pace, I've reserved some spots that week for a bike trip out of Florence- 1 day. There's an easy one up to Fiesole and the ruins with a great view over Florence, lunch, etc. We're are getting in shape for a more challenging ride through Chianti. <BR>Don't know if the company is good or not, but it's cited in some touring books. www.IBikeItaly.com<BR>Have a good trip!<BR> <BR>

Hi Kelly:<BR><BR>Seems like a good itinerary. I don't believe there is train service directly to Bellagio; if you go by train, you may have to go to Como or Mennagio, then a ferry to Bellagio. The suggestion to take a bus from Malpensa to Como, the a ferry to Bellagio is a good one. The boatride up the lake is beautiful. For your three days in Venice, suggest you buy a three day vapoetto pass. This is good for all the lines, including the vaporettos to Murano, Burano and Torcello. The pass may never be checked, but all it takes is to be caught once for a stiff on-the-spot fine. Try to have lunch at Locanda Cipriani on Torcello (Hemingway's favorite). Kind of pricey, but the food and setting are wonderful. In 1999, my wife and I had a great 2+ hour lunch from antipasto (Prosciutto & figs), entrees (cannelloni & risotto), through cappuccino, with wine for $80 US. You can probably figure on 100 euros now. Also, while in Venice, be sure to visit the Basilica dei Frari, near Campo San Polo. Beautiful church and great artworks by Titian. I won't bother you with suggestions for Florence and Rome; you have barely enough time to see the highlights in both cities.<BR>Bon viaggo, Chet

Three days in Montalcino may not be enough.There are many little towns very close (within a half hour)<BR>Siena, Pienza, Montepulciano, Bagno Vignoni, Sant Antimo, Monte Oliveto<BR>Maggiore, Buonconvento, Murlo. The driving is easy and the food and wine in<BR>each town is special. <BR>