My husband and I will be flying to Italy for our first time in September. Our destination is Florence. We haven't booked our airline tickets yet, so I was wondering if someone could recommend if we should fly into Milan or Rome...basically is one easier than the other to get to Florence? We would fly into Pisa, but the flights we're looking at would place us in Gatwick for a 6 hour layover for the day, and I was told that wouldn't be good. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I just don't know what I'm doing.

They're about the same distance from Florence, so I would think your decision should be based on the train schedules from the two cities to Florence. Surely, some of our train experts out there can answer that!

In June, we are flying into and out of Milan because it was about $250 less than roundtrip fare from NYC into and out of Rome. I'm usually ambivalent about which to use, so let the fare decide for me! Plenty of trains from either Rome or Milan; drive about the same, too.

For FAST train schedules, check: <BR>http://www.sbb.ch/pv/index_e.htm <BR> <BR>I would think that getting from Milan to Florence should be a little less hassle free. The transfer from the airport to the train station should be easier. As a city, I believe that Milan is much less chaotic than Rome; but Rome is much more interesting... <BR> <BR>Have you considered visiting Rome for even a couple of days?

I would love to visit anywhere for a couple days, unfortunately...we're leaving the kids with grandma and grandpa, and only have a short amount of time. We'd be leaving the US on September 8 and getting back on the 16th. The way the flights work out..we'd be losing the first couple days. So we have about 6 full days in Italy. We thought if we just spent most of that time in florence, it might be best...but I'm defintely open to suggestions!

Then, may I suggest that you stay in Florence and take a few day trips. For instance, to Lucca and Pisa (to the north), Siena and San Gimigano (to the south). <BR> <BR>Though probably 6 days in Florence may be too little... depends. <BR> <BR>Look for a thread that's here elsewhere about getting reservations to the Uffizi and the Accademia. That is becoming a very important part of a well planned trip to Florence. <BR> <BR>Oh, and another thing, don't miss Vivoli. That has to be one of the most spectacular attractions in Florence <BR> <BR>(Not really an attraction, just what many people, me included, consider the best ice cream in the world! Even in a city full of excellent gellaterias, Vivoli is way ahead of any of them) <BR> <BR>Have a great trip!

Hello Lisa, <BR> <BR>For travelling time to Florence, flying into Rome would be the quicker option. <BR> <BR>Rome airport (Fiumicino) is a 35 minute train ride into the city's main railway station (Roma Termini). From there, Florence is only 1hour 35minutes by Eurostar (high-speed train). So your total 'travel time' is just over 2 hours. <BR> <BR>From Milan your journey time is nearer 4 hours (- a 50-minute bus ride from Malpensa Airport to Milan Central Railway Station, and then a train journey of just under 3 hours by Eurostar to Florence). <BR> <BR>Hope this helps... <BR> <BR>Steve James <BR>

Lisa, why not fly into Florence (FLR)? I don't know where you are connecting, but I know there are a lot of connections from AMS and CDG. You will have plenty to do in Florence for 6 days. It really depends on how "high energy" you want to be. We usually just stay in one place and have a "low energy" vacation. 6 days in Florence is not too much time. Mike.

Lisa: I'm currently living over in the UK and have been to Italy a bit. My comment really would be to fly into wherever is the least expensive, but whatever you do, I'd try to spend at least a day of your vacation in Rome. Milan isn't much to look at, but Rome is fantastic. If you do fly in/out of Rome, then I would definitely try to spend some time there. Either way you'll love Italy! I sure do!

Why backtrack? Fly into Rome and out of Milan.

You guys are all so wonderful! Thank you so much for all the advice. I had no idea that Rome was so much closer. I looked up distances on a rail site, and I could have swore it took 5 hours to get from Rome to Florence! <BR> <BR>Someone also suggested I reserve my tickets for the Uffizi and the Accademia now...how do I do that? <BR> <BR>Thanks again all! <BR> <BR>Lisa.