Help with our trip to Italy
 

I think we are getting some resrevations complete and would liketo get some input from knowledgeable sources as to whether it makes sense and any changes that you would recommend. <BR> <BR>fly into Milan - MXP <BR> <BR>travel to Florence - by train? how do we get to the train station from the airport or is there a better way to get to Florence (stay on planes, bus, ???)? <BR> <BR>two nights in Florence - Residenzia Apostoli?? <BR> <BR>rent car and travel to Lucca - stay at Piccolo Hotel Puccini <BR>two nights in Lucca - does it make sense to try to get to Cinque Terre for a day trip while staying in Lucca <BR> <BR>travel to Siena by car or somewhere near there - possibly further east and south <BR>stay three nights - still debating between a couple of places: Relais Borgo di Toiano in Sovicille, Locanda le Piazze near Castellina? (if they ever call back)or a hotel in Siena (most are sold out - <BR> <BR>travel by car to Rome <BR>stay three nights - Hotel Oceania or Hotel Cortina?? <BR>while in Rome does it make sense to take a day trip to Naples or to Pompeii? <BR>on fourth night, take the night train to Venice <BR> <BR>stay two or three nights in Venice <BR>is the Hotel Pelligrino nice? <BR> <BR>take the train to Milan. <BR>if we stay in Venice three nights, we will be going to the Milan airport for a noon flight. Is this feasible or should we go to Milan the night before and if so, where should we stay? <BR> <BR>travel back home <BR> <BR>thank you for any assistance you can give!

I found the Italian trains to be excellent. I went last year(going from Venice to Florence), and it was a breeze. <BR>Car was definitely needed for Tuscany. <BR>

Alan, thanks. The overnight train from Rome to Venice does not look too attractive - lots of stops. Where did you get your train tickets? Did you need reservations?

Bill: Yes, the Pelligrino is nice; I think you'll be very pleased with your choice.

Bill: Yes, the Pellegrino is nice; I think you'll be pleased with your choice.

Bill: The Pellegrino is nice; I think you'll be pleased with your choice.

My wife and I honeymooned and backpacked our way around Italy last summer. Here's a few answers <BR> <BR>To Florence - There's a great airport shuttle that takes you from MXP to the central train station, I believe hourly. It's reasonably priced and I think it's hourly. From there plenty of trains to Florence. <BR> <BR>On Cinque Terre - It's amazing. It's all about atmosphere, and scenery. Not worth it if you're rushed. But if you could get there early in AM, lounge on beach, take a nice hike, and have a dinner, it would be worth it. <BR>Pisa is also a worthy daytrip. <BR> <BR>One Siena alternative could be San Gimignano. <BR> <BR>Venice to Milan for a noon flight can be done but not easily. Have to contend with getting out of Venice ultra early (I don't remember when the water-busses start running) and getting checked in for the International flight. <BR> <BR>A highly recommended alternative would be to spend the night in Verona. See an opera under the stars at the Arena and catch an easy 1.5 hour train to Milan in the morning.

Bill, <BR>We bought the tickets (first class, and worth it) in the US.

Bill, I think Lucca offers plenty to do and see for two days--I don't think I would plan on Cinque Terre on this trip. As the above poster says, it's not a place to be rushed, and I think you would be to do it as a daytrip from Lucca. You could, however, drive over to Forte dei Marmi for a lovely seafood lunch. The Piccolo Puccini is in a great location across the piazza from San Michele Church, my favorite in northern Italy. Advice about Siena--instead of calling hotels, try to fax them. If they have to return your call, that requires someone who is really fluent in English to do so, and many times it gets put off until later. Many times you will have better luck with a fax. For example, the fax for Relais Borgo di Toiano is 011-39-057-731-4641. Other suggestions for Siena--have you tried Santa Caterina, Antica Torre, or Villa Gloria (just outside to the south of the city) Others in Castellina are Villa Casalecchi and Casafrassi. I wouldn't give up a day in Rome to go to Pompeii, even though it's very interesting. And, if you decide to come back to Milan the night before your flight, there is a hotel at the airport, but I can't recall its name. Maybe someone else could help or you can do a search--Malpensa is in the name of the hotel as well.

thanks to everyone who has provided input. I will skip Cinque Terre. Lucca and Siena will keep us busy enough. <BR> <BR>I do have a couple more questions <BR> <BR>what would be the trade-offs in how to travel from MXP to Florence - by car, train or plane? we won't need a car in Florence for a couple of days, but will when we leave for Tuscany. <BR> <BR>we are also going to leave Venice a day before our plane trip - we moved up our Venice stay - still plan on three nights - lost the Pelligrino in the process - now staying at the Locanda Ovidius near the Rialto Bridge - any thoughts here? the remaining question on the trip is where to stay our last nigtht prior to our flight out? Bill had a suggerstion of Verona. What about Como instead? any tradeoff suggestions are appreciated. <BR> <BR>thanks again to everyone for the helpful information

Bill, I am flying into Malpensa, but out of Venice. Amazingly, it is a little cheaper! Then, I don't have to waste a 1/2 day training back to Malpensa. Even better, my return flight is an afternoon flight! You trip sounds great, have fun!

Planning a Fall trip...I found the best car rental price was with AVIS(Discount for AAA membership).They have a car rental location in downtown Florence so you don't have to pay the airport tax!To get to the train Station Centrale in Milan from Malpensa...take the bus...Delux bus...no stops except one downtown and the station...approximately$7.00US. There is an express train...but it goes to metro stops not the station for the train to Florence.The bus leaves every half hour.If the hotels don't call back...assume that they are full.In Seina we are staying at the Albergo Bernini...Have no idea what it is like...but Rick Steves seems to like it.I booked everything via email...found most addresses in the Rick Steves book.We have a noon flight out of Milan...arriving the day before...Italian rail strikes happen frequently and slow everything down so leave yourself lots of wiggle room!MAggie

We just returned from Rome and Florence. Took the train from Rome to Florence and back. ER train. Got tickets at the Rome train station. Took the train from Rome airport to the train station. No problem. Its a breeze. The trains leave about every hour. Must be 10 or 15 a day. We did get first class tickets and they were around $40.00 each. You can go second class and save some money. Difference was the overhead luggage racks. Bigger in the first class cars. Just ask the ticket agents. Everyone understood English and communication was not a problem