gvivanco

Hi,
We're traveling to France and Italy mid May. The last part of our initial itinerary is Venezia (2days) - Milan (2days) and then we're heading to Paris only to take our flight back home. We're wondering if we can just spend 1 day in Milan, and instead spend 1 day in either Verona or Geneva.
We're not in the shopping mood, we prefer visit ruins, medieval churches archeological sites, etc. Any thoughts please?, or any other location you think would be better to visit instead of Verona/Geneva?

Thanks!

LucieV

Personally, I'd rather spend 4 days in Venice than 2 in Venice and 2 in Milan. I've traveled in Italy quite a bit, and the one city I have never been able to get very excited about is Milan, despite its renown.

How fortunate you are to be traveling in mid-May: great weather, not so many tourists -- enjoy!

Shanti

I wouldn't spend one day in Milan and then one day in Verona/Geneva - you'll lose too much time to traveling. If you want to spend only one day in Milan, I'd add the other day to your stay in Venice.

Personally, I think Milan is worth at least a day. I really enjoyed the duomo (especially walking around the top). You could also see "The Last Supper."

dina4

I also really enjoyed Milan!
You can click on my name and read the Milan part of my 3 week trip in italy trip report.

Sassafrass

I don't know about a day in Milan or Geneva. I like Verona, but I would definitely not trade an extra day in Venice for a day in Verona, so I would add one of the days to Venice. Actually, I would spend all four days in Venice and take a short trip to the islands or Padua.

supertraveler

Hi all,

I'll be traveling to Venice from Rome by train. Then heading to Milan from Venice. My friend suggested that i stop off at Florence en route to Venice from Rome is that a good suggestion?

Also i was thinking of spending 2 days in Rome 2 days in Venice and 2 in Milan. But after reading the reviews i might only spend one day in Milan and move onto Zurich or spend one extra day in Venice.

Can anyone advice on train travel within Italy and from Milan to Zurich ? Is it advisable to get a pass ? I hear train travel in Italy is pretty cheap and that i should get a pass. How about for Italy to Switzerland anyone tried that?

valtor

Hi supertraveler, your two days in each city include also travel time? For me, even 2 full days in Rome is nothing! Where you arrive? Where you fly home from?
What you like more, architecture, museums, nature ???
Give us more details , because we do not know what do you prefer.

supertraveler

Hi Valtor,

Let me give you my brief itinerary. Im not sure if it'll work so im hoping for some advice.

31 May - 10:35am arrive Rome from London(Rome's attractions)
1 June - Vatican City
2 June - catch morning train to Venice drop by Florence for half a day. Reach Venice at night.
3 June - Venice
4 June - Venice
5 June - Morning depart for Milan. Catch late train to Zurich
6 June - Zurich
7 June - Zurich
8 June - Geneva
9 June - Geneva
10 June - Interlaken

Am i spending too much time in Switzerland ? Which city should i spend more time in and which should i cut? I heard Milan is really boring from friends who been there so i'd like a second opinion.

Finally, im worried about train travel in Italy and am afraid that i will end up paying alot for tickets if i buy on the spot instead of purchasing a youth eurorail pass. Any suggestions ?

valtor

Supertravel, I shall start with the end.
First of all, I would eliminate Zurich for sure, and probably Geneva also. If you want to visit something there, you can be in Lucern plus Mt. Pilatus, or Schaffhausen (Rhine's falls ) and the small town near with the painted houses (I do not remember in this moment the name, but if you want, I'll tell you). I do not say any thing about Interlaken, because in my opinion it can be use only like a start point for trip in mountains (so, to be one week in the area).

Now, about Italy.
Rome is a big city, a true museum in open air. It is more, more than Vatican to see there. I spent there 7 days and it was not enough.
Firenze is also beautiful, there are a lot of museum, I say minimum 3 nights there.

In my opinion, with 10 days that you have I would visit Rome 4, Firenze 2 and Venice 3. You have one more day maybe to make a day trip to Siena or Pisa (from Firenze)

The train is very good in Italy, clean and not expensive. You can buy all the tickets, for all your trips, from the first train station. Prepare a page where you write how nmany tickets, date , hour, direction.
For long distance take fast trains with reserved seats.

Have a nice vacation!

gvivanco

Hi guys,
Thank you so much for your advice. Now, I think we're going to spend only 1 day in Milan, and add one more day to Florence, where we initially thought to spend 3 days before going to Venice, so perhaps we'll have time to visit Siena and/or Pisa also.

Thanks!