Italy - Help with itinerary for October visit to northern Italy
 

About 5 years ago, I spent 2 weeks in Rome, Tuscany, Venice and Florence with my husband and our kids. My husband and I are returning for a two week trip in October and are starting to plan our itinerary. We plan on flying into Milan for a couple of days, then would like to visit either Lake Como or Garda, Cinque Terre, then Tuscany (We loved Tuscany last trip and want to spend about 4 nights there again) and then finish up in Florence. I hope to be able to fly into Milan and out of Florence, but am using frequent flyer miles so don't know yet if that is possible. I'd really appreciate any advice on setting up an itinerary - how much time to spend in each place, how to get around best (we plan on having a car in Tuscany, but don't know if we should have it for any other locations), recommendations for either Como or Garda. We both love art, hiking, relaxing and people watching. Thanks!

Your first step will be to lock in the flights---that will determine what will be feasible. Do not overlook Pisa as an option---it has as many fights as does Florence.

usually do a RT Milan(cheapest best easiest)

FF miles work well to from there for me in past

with all the major US carriers.

From there REGIONAL or intercity trains cheapest

trenitalia.com 2-3 hours to CT/Porotfino area

www.metropole.it my fav there awesome location room views

then lucca.info Florence venice-tourism.com sirmione.com

bellagio.info stresa.org best areas for me.

In October might reverse this for better temps.

car rental expensive have done it more of a hassle

nice in rural areas big liability in big cities

Otel.com good prices cash back 10 % Facebook DC

currently my fav also booking.com..

Have fun,

Hi kyarkin,
All good advice above. Although the trains are great, we often rent a car (typically use Europcar) to give us full flexibility to make stops when traveling between destinations.
Have a great trip!

So I was able to use miles to fly into Milan (Linate Airport) on Oct. 13 and fly out of Florence on Oct. 26. And my first draft at an itinerary is: spend two nights in Milan, rent a car and drive to Lake Como for 2 nights, drive to Cinque Terre for 2 nights, drive to Greve in Chianti for 4 nights, drive to Florence and return car, then spend last 3 nights in Florence. My question now is: would you recommend touring Milan for a couple of days first or taking the train directly to the Lake and then going to Milan where we can rent a car to go to C.T.? I don't know how necessary or inconvenient having a car at the Lake is. Any other itinerary suggestions would be greatly appreciated! (like recommended places to stay at Lake Com, Milan and Florence. We really like smaller boutique type places, conveniently located and with comfortable beds! Grazie Mille!

I would go straight to Como, and pray for good weather. With a car, stay on the west shore in Menaggio or Lenno---do not drive to Bellagio. You do not mention budget so hard to give you hotel advice. Look at Albergo Lenno in Lenno or Hotel Bellavista in Menaggio. I would also add 1 day to the CT. Good luck !

I did a very similar trip last May-- you will have a great time! (click on my name for the trip report.) I agree with Bob to go straight to Como. Consider not getting a car till you are in Tuscany as you won't really need it till then (and why spend the money?)

If this were my trip, I'd order things a little differently.

On arrival, I'd head immediately by train to Varenna-Esino on the eastern shore of Lake Como and stay in either Varenna or Bellagio a short ferry ride away. (After Oct. 16th, hotels will begin closing for the season in these towns.)

After the two nights at Lake Como, I'd train to Milan for two nights there. Train to the Cinque Terre for the nights there and pick up the car in La Spezia on departure. Follow the rest of the original plan of driving to Chianti, dropping car in Florence and flying out of Florence.

But if it were REALLY my trip, I'd give Lake Como 3 nights, Milan 2 nights, skip the Cinque Terre, Chianti 4 nights, Florence 4 nights. One full day on Lake Como is too little time IMO (especially if you're jetlagged), and an extra day in Florence gives more options for day trips if the weather's good or indoor options if the weather's bad. However, I understand you've been to Florence before, so maybe instead spend that one night somewhere between the CT and Greve that you hadn't plan to explore from your Greve base.

Jean, May I ask why you'd skip CInque Terre altogether? I'd been told it was interesting and thought that it would be fun to hike from town to town. Is there really not that much to do for 2 days?

kyarkin, the CT are charming and interesting, and it is fun to hike from town to town. There is enough to occupy you for 2 days. If the weather's nice. In late-ish October, what will be your plan there if it's raining or otherwise not appealing for hiking? You can take a chance on the weather. That's up to you. FWIW, there are hiking opportunities at Lake Como.

If CT were still in the itinerary of MY trip, I'd skip Milan or Lake Como. You only have 13 days not impacted by arriving/departing. Four hotels/destinations in 13 full days would be my limit.