I would be traveling with my mother and 15 year old brother. Our first time in Europe.

We will be arriving Milan on the morning of 4th June and flying out of Milan late morning on 14th June.

We were thinking of 3 nights in Milan, probably one day trip to either Lake Como or Lugano. It also happens to be my brother's birthday on the 5th of June so is there any special restaurant or activity that you would recommend we go to celebrate his birthday?

Following that would be 3 nights in rome. We want to be in rome on the 7th for the corpus domini mass. What time does it normally start and do we need some form of admission?

We also have the Scavi Tour booked on the 9th at 10.45am. We are thinking of visiting St Peter's before the trip, what time would be good to arrive at St Peter? We would probably end at around 12.30, and understand that restaurants do not normally open until 1? But we are thinking of going to the Vatican Museum at around 2. Would we be able to make it?

We are planning to then head to Foligno on the 11 for the tavens before the Giostra della Quintana? It sounds interesting visiting an 'ancient' market but I am not sure if it is worth the trip to go to Foligno just for it.

Probably head to Florence on the 12th, staying 1 night. Was thinking of going to the Prada Outlet.

We would then head back to Milan for the last night before flying back the next day.

Would be a pity to miss Venice? It couldn't seem to fit the plan if we had to be in Rome on the 7th for the mass and then the 11th for the knights carnival. Should we skip the carnival and florence, and head to Venice after Rome?

Thanks!

Congrats on your trip we go most years usually find it cheaper to fly into Milan. eurocheapo.com good tips on all your cities.

We usually stay at the Abasciatori in Milan or the Boscolo.City Center is ok for a day or so then head to www.bellagio.info pearl of lake Como then onto venice-tourism.com then Florence then Rome works best for us. seat61.com/italy train like a local www.booking.com for great hotels.

It would be a shame to miss Venice it is an amazing magical no car very historic water city our fav.

Happy Trails!

Would not miss Venice for the world! Have you already booked your flights? It might be better to do open jaw so that you don't lose time back tracking to your point of arrival. That way you could either do Milan - Venice - Florence - Rome or the reverse. I would definitely choose between the mass and carnival than between Rome and Venice, two spectacular cities. It truly is otherworldly imo!

On Corpus Domini (Italian name for Corpus Christi), the Holy Father normally celebrates Mass at St John Lateran at 7 pm. Apply for ticket in advance:
Archbishop James Harvey
Prefect of the Pontifical Household,
Vatican City 00120.
Phone: + 39 06 6988 4857
Fax: + 39 06 6988 5863
or
US Visitors Office to the Vatican,
Via dell' Umiltá 30,
00187 Rome, Italy
Phone: + 06.6900.1821
Fax: + 39 06 679 1448
Email: [email protected]

You could book a multi city ticket, book into Milan or Venice and out of Rome, save backtracking and have more time for sight seeing.

Thanks for all your replies!

Yup, we have already booked our flights flying in and out of Milan and that cannot be changed.

I think we would reconsider and try fitting Venice into our schedule somehow.

Alec, I am actually from Singapore, do I apply for the tickets via the same email?

Yes, any English speaking visitor can apply through US Visitors Office or at the Prefecture of Pontifical Household (Pontificalis Domus; they are English speaking - fax is best).

Thanks Alec.

One more question, I read that the cheapest time for dinner would be during Aperitivo. Is there only alcoholic drinks during that time or can we order drinks that are non alcoholic?