Hi Guys,

We are interested in Italy for first two weeks of Oct. Would like to see three areas. Are these areas possible without spending too much time traveling by train or car?

Venice
Tuscany
Cinque Terre

Coming from LAX - should be fly to Venice and out of Rome?

Thanks

Karen

Hi K,

It's easily done.

How many nights in each place?

We did most of Italy 2 yrs ago, flying into Milan. We went straigt to Lake Como for the night 45min train ride. Then next day it was around 5 hr train to Venice...Awesome going into there on the train....even the cruise ship into Venice is really incredible.
Anyway, it is rather long to Cinque Terre from Venice. If I were to do it again, I think I might go south from Milan to Cinque Terre first then go to Tuscany and then to Venice. On your last day you could take the train back to Milan or fly out of Venice. If it were not more airfare, I would fly out of Venice but the train a good experience if you have not done it before. Where do you want to go in Tuscany?

Fly into Milan. Take the train to Venice, after Venice pick up a car and head to Tuscany. After Tuscany, drive to La Spezia and drop off the car. Train to Cinque Terre from La Spezia.

Train to Milan for your flight home.

Hi kpilling, if you want to visit Venice, Tuscany and Cinque Terre I would fly from LAX to Milan, train to Cinque Terre and visit there, train to where you could pick up a rental car, enjoy Tuscany and then depending whether you wanted to make any stops between Tuscany and Venice or not, and if not, drop off the rental car and train to Venice and fly home from Venice. I am suggesting visiting Cinque Terre first as imagine since you want to visit there you want to do some hiking etc..so the earlier in October the better it would be. Enjoy planning your time in Italy!

Sure, nice trip. Fly into Venice and home from Pisa or Milan.

I've been told that Venice experiences annual flooding in October. It is called the "aqua alta" (high water). You should check this out before you make any plans to go to Venice in October.

Grosenb advice sounds excellent

I read some about the acqua alta because we were traveling in December. We decided against Venice.

However, I would chance it in October, with the possibility of switching plans for elsewhere. For myself, I was intrigued by Ravenna, Ferrara and Verona as alternates in the event of high water.

(Hint -- do a search for acqua alta on this website.)

We would like to spend 5 days in Tuscany, and suggestions on atmospheric towns to stay in? Also, 3 or 4 days in venice and a couple of days in Cinque Terre or possibly Amalfi Coast. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. You are all so wise.

Thanks

Karen

Hi Kp,

If you want to visit the AC in Oct, it should be the beginning of your visit.

I suggest staying up North.

In 2 weeks, you can stay

4 nights in Venice,
5 nights driving around Tuscany
4 nights in Rome

If you want to reduce your train/car time, I suggest

4 nights Venice, 4 nights Florence with a daytrip to Siena, 5 nights Rome with a daytrip to Orvieto.

Either way, fly into Venice and out of Rome.

I know that I have left out the CT, but the weather can be against you in Oct.