Feedback on Italy Itinerary...Please
 

Hello -

I'll be traveling to Italy in September with 2-3 other mid-30s women. Here's the itinerary that I've planned. I'd love to get your feedback...is this too much, too litte or just right?

Day 0: Depart SFO to Florence
Day 1-4: Enjoy Florence (attending wedding)
Day 5: Depart to Siena by car, tour Siena
Day 6: Day trip to Chianti
Day 7: Depart Siena, drop car off in Florence, take train to Cinque Terre.
Day 8-9: Enjoy Cinque Terre (planning to stay in Vernazza)
Day 10: Depart to Lake Como by train
Day 11-12: Enjoy Lake Como (planning to stay in Bellagio)
Day 13: Depart to Milan by train
Day 14: Enjoy Milan
Day 15: Depart to Venice by train
Day 16-18: Enjoy Venice
Day 19: Depart back to San Francisco

Is there really enough to do in Lake Como for 3 days, should I take a day from here and add it to Milan? I was originally going to do Milan then Lake Como, however that would put me in Milan on Sat and Sun and I read somewhere that shops in Milan are closed on Sun and Mon...is this true?

Also let me know your favorite hotel choices for the places above.

Thanks!

Is this your audition tape for the Amazing Race!?

Ha ha - just kidding (sort of). I will be traveling to Italy for the first time in June and I know what your going through ... wanting to pack in as much as possible as not to miss anything wonderful. However after digging through the posts on this site for the past month, I'm putting all my Vegas money on the majority of the replies saying you are trying to do too much. And frankly I was exhausted after just reading your itinerary. (kidding again). Good luck figuring it all out.

I think it is quite doable. You might like having the time at Lake Como to just relax a bit. You could also consider adding an extra day in Florence as the first day you'll be jet lagged and won't be up to doing much and I'm assuming another day will be devoted to the wedding.

What do the other members of your party think? Are they go-getters that like to see and do a lot or will they want shopping and "soaking in the ambience" time? You do have a busy trip planned, but, I think you will have a wonderful time.

Hi T,

It's more travelling than I would do, but looks fine for an energetic group.

Rather than dropping the car in florence, I suggest that you drive to La Spezia, or other town on the CT, and drop off there.

You'll probably be charged for 3 days anyway.

((I))

It would be WAY to much for me, but as long as your group is in agreement about the fast pace, I don't see a problem.

I don't think I'd be able to "enjoy" any of the places you've listed on your itinerary, because my concept of "enjoyment" is hunkering down in a place and wandering, strolling, taking in the sights, meandering, sitting at a café and watching people or views, soaking up the ambience. You're just "alighting" for a brief perch.

But if that's the way you and your friends like to travel, it's certainly do-able. Have fun.

I think it looks great. The only part that looks a bit tight to me is the Siena/Chianti part. Daytripping to Siena and/or Chianti would save you the hassle of changing hotels and possibly renting the car. Just a thought: For what it would cost to rent the car, maybe you could pay for a driver for Chianti and bus to Siena.

I can't comment on Milan, since I haven't been there, though.

I would go from cinque terre to Venice with 1-2 nites in Bellagio. Eliminate Milan - the things you would want to buy you can get elsewhere. Enjoy the other cities . If you fly out of Milan you can spend the day before the flight there. That's what we did and it was more than enough to shop & see some of the sights.

Thank you all for your input - although your opinions vary from "way too much" to "just fine" the feedback has been helpful.

My group of friend and I are a pretty energetic group and would enjoy an active vacation with some down time to relax. I haven't run the itinerary by them yet - wanted to get a sanity check from other Italy travelers first. None of them have been to Itlay before and they have basically given me free range to plan the trip and just tell them how much it costs :-).

So it looks like the itinerary is doable but tight. For those of you that think it is too much to do, what would you cut out?

Carmen - I like your idea about hiring a car for Chianti, the only reason I was going to drive to Siena was to have a car to drive around the wine region, I don't need it for the entire stay in Siena. Do you know where I could hire a car?

I don't have a name, but I know I've seen quite a few posts here on this topic. Also, I'm sure there are other posters here who have names of drivers top of mind. You might try a search here and also look on Slowtrav.com. For me, it would be a lot easier than renting a car, plus, that way you could taste wine along the way without worrying about the driving :)

Hi again tourist25. I did a search for "chianti drivers" and found multiple recommendations for:

Luca Garapa of Hillsandroads.com

There are others...just do that same search and you can peruse.

Hi Tourist,

I'm a bit more ambitious sightseer that many of the Fodorites and I think your itinerary is quite good. My only suggestion, having been to all your chosen destinations, would be to skip Milan, or spend just one night as the other poster suggested. Your other choices are much better and worth more time.

I would add a day to the Tuscan countryside, staying in Siena. Then add the other day to Venice for sure!

buon viaggio!