Help with Italian Honeymoon Itinerary
 

I have been spending a ton of time on this site over the holidays and have found it incredibly helpful as my fiance and I try to map out an Italian honeymoon for next fall. This is my first post, so bear with me if I say/ask anything stupid...

A bit of background: We are relatively "mature" for honeymooners (40-ish) and have traveled quite a bit. I have been to Italy several times, my husband-to-be has never been. We are very into food and wine (he is in the wine business) so want to spend some time in wine regions and will hope to eat and drink well everywhere we go. We are willing to splurge on hotels as well. Want a mix of city and country experiences and will rent a car for at least part of the trip. Length of time still up in the air, but likely 2.5 - 3 weeks (last week in October/first 2 weeks November)

At this point we are thinking:

Fly into Milan and head directly to Lake Como for 3 nights (maybe Villa d'este? or would we be better off in Bellagio?)

Train to Venice, stay 3 nights (no hotel ideas yet)

Drive to Emilia Romagna region, stay 2 nights (visit/eat/drink our way through Bologna, Parma or Modena, where to stay??)

Drive to Florence/Northern Tuscany, stay 3-4 nights (undecided on whether to stay in Florence or do as a day trip(s) from another base in area)

Drive to Southern Tuscany/Umbria for 3-4 nights (where best to stay?)

Drop car, train into Rome, and spend last 3-4 nights there.

My questions: Does this seem like a reasonable outline for the trip? We want to cover alot of ground without being too rushed. What changes in destinations/time allocation/mode of transport/order should we consider?

Any and all thoughts are welcome! Thanks!

It sounds very reasonable to me, assuming that you want to focus especially on Tuscany (a fine idea, in my opinion). I, personally, would rather cut one night off Lake Como and add it to Venice, but that doesn't mean you should.

Laura, I like your destinations but would plan sequence based on the car rental. So, I would do all of the non-cites before dropping the car and doing the big 3 cites. Perhaps like this:
Lakes, Bologna, Tuscany, [drop car]Florence, Venice, Rome[fly home]

Just a thought--you could play with this one about 5 different ways.

How about this: Rome, Florence, [get car]Tuscany,Bologna, Lakes, Venice[drop car--fly home from Venice]

Stay in the mid-Lake area. Bellagio, or on the west shore with a car, at the G. H. Menaggio

Bob makes and excellent point re grouping rental car time. I'd like to get to the Lakes first thing, since we'll be starting 10/25, which looks like the verge of winter up there. Also hate the idea of backtracking, so I'm willing to rent and return rental car if needed. Here's an alternative plan:

Arrive Milan; 3 nights Lakes (place TBD)

Drive to Emilia-Romagno for 2 nights (place TBD)

Drive to Venice, drop car, stay 3-4 nights

Train to Florence, stay 2-3 nights

Pick up car, head to Tuscany, stay 4-5 nights Locanda Amoroso

Drive to Umbria, stay 2-3 nights TBD

Train to Rome for final 3 nights

What do you think?

Sounds well balanced...as far as Umbria is concerned, we found several interesting alternatives. Gubbio is a charming town with much to offer and makes a good base for Perugia and Assisi and the oft-overlooked little Narni.

We have also rented a villa nr. Assisi, Casa Farneto, that had a charming little apartment for two as well as the usual larger offerings. But that may be for a bigger commitment in terms of time in one place.

I like that. You can do much of Umbria from Amorosa--certainly Deruta, Assisi, Spello. If you do an Umbrian location why not use Orvieto as your base and see south Umbria from there. I understand you starting at the Lakes. I am not sure why you want the Emilia Romagna segment, but I am not a foodie. This plan will work.

Hi Laura,

You might find my trip report
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044
helpful for information on Bologna, Venice, Florence and Orvieto.

Also see this thread
Helpful Information: Italy http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34443340

Have a great hooneymon

Hi Laura,

As a travel agent (Italy is one of the areas I specialize in), I have to tell you that Italy is probably number one (or at least a tie with Australia) in being my favorite!

You will have a wonderful time and a honeymoon to always remember! I too, took my husband to Italy (his first time to Europe actually) and he's been crazy for it ever since.

Comments on your itinerary -- flying into Milan and heading for the Lake region, is very good, beautiful area and very relaxing after an international flight.

Then onto romantic Venice, one my favorite cities...

2 nights eating / drinking your way through Emila Romagna is, of course, not enough (is it EVER)?? You will barely be able to sample all the CHEESE available. :)

Depending on your timing, I would not drive into Florence - it's confusing and busy and you don't need a car there. On the way OUT of Florence pick up a car to explore the Tuscany/Umbria area. As we've already established there's never enough time, I suggest than rather than split your time betwen the two areas, you might want to consider renting a villa for a week and doing day trips. I find this more relaxing, especially between two
"on the go" cities like Florence and Rome, it makes a nice break and change of pace.

I'd add any extra time you may take off one area to your time in Rome.

Hope this is helpful!

Regards,

Melodie