kangahop

Hello!

My finance and I are going to Italy for four weeks beginning in the second week of May. We are flying into Milan and out of Paris (we are planning to spend 2-5 nights in Paris depending on our itinerary). Currently our plan is as follows:

Fly into Milan (arrive around noon) take the train to Como then Bus/Boat to Bellagio
-We are debating whether to spend a night in Milan, the Universal Expo is going on this summer, so hotel availability is limited/expensive and I'm not sure if it's worth it??

Bellagio (4 nights)
-We picked this location because we wanted a pretty, relaxing start to the trip with the opportunity for day trips around Lake Como
-Is 4 nights too long/too short??
-Is there another town (near Lake Garda or in Lombardy that is a better pick?)

Leave Bellagio by bus/train
(travel to Milan by train and then either straight to Florence or spend 1-3 nights in Emilo, Bologna or Parma-Fiance is excited about the food)

Florence (3 nights)
-Make reservations to see the Uffizi
-Any recommendations about less touristy places to stay (not adverse to walking long distances/taking public transit to historic district)
-Rent car after 3 days and drive to Chianti region

Chianti (4 nights)
-Drive to different wineries
-Day trip to Sienna
-Return Car to Florence and take train to Rome

Rome (3 nights)
-See the sites
-Train/Bus to Ravenna (?)

Amalfi Coast (5 nights)
-travel by train to Naples
-Fly out of Naples for Paris (we are planning on flying budget from Naples, and haven't booked the flight yet, so our dates are flexible)

Paris (5 nights)
-Fly home

-Are there any regions that we are missing that you feel are worth the trip??? We've considered Genoa, Cinque Terre or stopping along the coast in a less-tourist centric area to spend a few nights???

Thanks in advance for any and all help and advice!!

annhig

is there some reason that you are avoiding Venice? It would be difficult to squeeze it into your itinerary but it is both lovely and unique and is not too far off your route - 3 nights would give you a taste at least.

kangahop

Hi annhig! Thanks for the reply! We were initially planning on flying into Venice, but found cheaper tickets into Milan so we gave it up. We've had friends go and say that it wasn't quite as marvelous as Florence or Rome. What would you suggest shortening?

annhig

there's the rub, kangahop - you can't see everything.

of course you may go to Venice and decide that your friends are right, but IMO there are few experiences to rival sailing down the Grand canal and catching your first glimpse of the golden domes of San Marco, and there is plenty to do in 2-3 days - I just got back from my 5th visit and there is still loads that I haven't seen.

Frankly, I would skip or shorten Florence, not because I don't like it, but because on a first trip, all the art you will see can be quite overwhelming, and Florence is primarily about art and architecture, whereas Venice is a whole way of life. And sad to say, Venice is slowly sinking - the water is getting higher every year.

so either i would "steal" a day here or there from the rest of the trip, or lose Florence - sorry!

sandralist

I also find Florence fabulous and thought so from my very first time there, and did not find "all the art overwhelming." (Like, all the art in Venice isn't "overwhelming.) I have never found Venice as marvelous as either Rome or Florence. I found Venice depressing in many ways and not at all the other places you are going. I have been to all 3 places for repeat visits many times, and Venice is the only one I have little enthusiasm to see again.

Also, FYI, Venice is not sinking so fast you should cram it into your trip or shorten things you want to see on your honeymoon.

Believe it or not, if you change your mind and want to see Venice I think you should go. And I don't think you should put to much stock in the opinons of people you don't know who are advising you on the internet -- including me. But your friends were being honest with you and have valid reasons for their opinions. But to be told that everybody in finds the art in Florence overwhelming and for a first time you should go to Venice because it is sinking -- really silly, brainless chatter. "Sorry", annhg-- really.

If you are going to solicit advice on social media, I hope you go to lots of different message boards and wait until you get 20 more answers before you start being influenced to change what might be a lovely lovely honeymoon for you and your spouse to be.

isabel

If I'm doing the math right you have 4 nights to 'play with'. You say the trip is 4 weeks and you have accounted for 24. Personally I think you could just add an extra night to the places you already have (Rome can easily take 4 or 5 nights, Amalfi Coast has plenty to keep you busy for a week, etc.). But your itinerary is certainly not overly rushed so you could spend those days in Venice or Bologna. I'm in the camp that thinks Venice is a very special place and definitely worth seeing at least once (I've been 3 times and while I wouldn't choose it as the place in Italy I'd want to live, or spend an extended time, I'm very glad I've been).

Have a look at some photos of all the places you are considering and see what 'grabs' you. http://www.pbase.com/annforcier

kangahop

Thank you all for all of your lovely replies!!! For those who suggested adding Venice to the itinerary, would it make the most sense to take the train from Milan after Bellagio?

KTtravel

Hmm, I'd probably cut Bellagio in favor of Venice but that is just my preference. This is the trouble with asking for advice -- we all have our opinions!

I have enjoyed visiting Bellagio and Venice but want to return to Venice again and again and don't feel the same about Bellagio. I usually don't feel the need for a relaxing spot at the beginning of a trip as I am so excited to get going.

Jean

I think your itinerary makes more sense without Venice, but I admit I'm not its biggest fan. If I was going to Venice, I'd want to go to Verona too, maybe Vicenza, and probably Ravenna on the way to Florence. So, for me, it's not as simple as just choosing whether or not to go to Venice this trip.

If you want to relax at the start, I think Bellagio is a good first destination.

Since you'll only have 3 nights/2 days in Florence, I would try to make those days NOT Sunday/Monday. Lots of things are closed on Mondays and many things are not open every Sunday.

If it was my trip, I wouldn't drive back to Florence to return the car. I'd drive to Orvieto, park the car for a couple of hours, explore the town, then turn in the car and train to Rome. Better yet, I'd spend the last day with the car driving secondary roads through the Crete Senesi and Val d'Orcia, visit a town or two, turn in the car at Orvieto (office closes at 7:00p Mon-Fri), spend the night in Orvieto and train to Rome some time the next day.

If you do have a couple of days to add here and there, I'd definitely add a day to Rome and maybe one to Florence if you like Renaissance art.

annhig

But your friends were being honest with you and have valid reasons for their opinions. But to be told that everybody in finds the art in Florence overwhelming and for a first time you should go to Venice because it is sinking -- really silly, brainless chatter. "Sorry", annhg-- really.>>

sandralist, you are not sorry at all. Really I do think that you post certain things just to be contrary. it is obvious to anyone like me who has been to Venice on a number of occasions over the last 30 years that the water levels are rising; that alone plus the acqua alta must be doing untold damage to the buildings and their foundations. Ditto the huge bow waves of the super-cruise-boats. Sinking - perhaps not literally [ever heard of metaphors?] - but at risk of being overwhelmed by the rising water - almost certainly.

Nor did I say that "everyone finds the art in Florence overwhelming" - it said that it can be, and I stick to that. if you are going to quote me, please do so accurately.

Everyone wil have different opinions as to where you should go, kangahop - in the end only you can decide. But in 5,10,15 years, Florence will still be there, more or less as it is now. Venice? I'm not so sure.

mama_mia

I think you have set up a very nice itinerary. Some things to consider:

Bellagio: If the weather is bad, I am not sure if there is much to do, as far as historical sites/museums. That might not be a problem, if you are happy just relaxing, reading, sitting in cafes, etc.

Florence: I always have liked the Oltrarno (across the river) area of Florence. When things are too intense in the centro, it is a nice escape and only a short walk.

Chianti: I second Jean's suggestion to consider dropping off your car further south (Orvieto).

Rome: I am not sure why you have listed Ravenna here. Not a day trip. Ravenna is usually paired with Bologna, so if you add Emilia Romagna, that is the time to do it.

Also, consider what sites you want to see in Rome. Can you get to everything in 3 days, keeping in mind some closures (Vatican Museums on Sunday; many other sites on Monday). I love Rome so I would push for more days, but if you are satisfied, 3 is not bad.

Venice or not? Most Americans, I think, have a vision of Italy that comes from movies or books. Somethings that draws them there--sitting in a cafe, driving along a spectacular coast, riding in a gondola, etc. If you have been drawn to Venice, go see it for yourself and make your own judgement. I am glad I had the chance to see Venice--it is unique. But it does not pull me back again and again as other areas do.

mama_mia

Sorry, I assumed (my bad) you were American, but I realize with screen name Kanghop--maybe Australian? Anyway, same advice re Venice applies.

RosieCharb

My husband and I recently returned from a 2 week trip to Italy. We went to Rome, Pisa, and our highlights were 2 places. The Amalfi Coast, we stayed in Sorrento (gorgeous and things to do) and my favorite was Venice! It is like no other place on earth. As one person said, there is nothing like eating dinner outside along the Grande Canal. We are planning now a trip back to Italy to the north and our only repeat will be Venice. I have been dreaming of seeing Venice again since the day I left. As far as the large cities, Rome, Florence, Milan. They are great cities, however just consider being around the craziness of these large cities for an extended period of time. We spent 3 days running around, seeing the sites, and that was more than enough. Venice, Sorrento, Como, Cinque Terre you will love strolling around and taking in the charm of Italy.

BAHItaly

I REComm: Pompeii, allow about 4 hours. Get tour guide from Presto tours for Vatican and Appion Way and catacombs and allow of time for Collosium.
Be careful in train stations and Naples. There are theives -leave all valuables at home. We have witness and tried to thwart a hold up of a brides valuables by ripping her shirt off..true story. But that won't happen if you have nothing to steal.
But really an incredible trip!

vincenzo32951

I'm taking ann's side in the Venice/Florence debate (and I don't even know her; we just happen to agree). Clearly, you're dealing with opinions -- people here and your friends -- and a lot depends on what you want to see and do.

Suffice it to say that Venice is unique, as mama says above, and I don't use that word loosely. Like it or not, there simply is no place like it in the world. Up to you if that's reason enough to fit it in.

Florence is very nice and easily navigated. If you're going to the Uffizi and Accademia, reserve via the international phone number, not the website. There's no surcharge, and you don't have to pay in advance. Go up to the Piazzale Michelangelo, have a glass of wine, and watch the sun set over the city. Climb to the top of the Duomo in the early a.m., before the lines and crowds arrive.

Lake Como: I prefer Varenna. Bellagio is a bit too touristy and busy for me. Plus, the train from Milan goes right into Varenna, and the ferry from there to other cities on the lake is frequent and convenient. JMHO.

If you're going to the AC, I'd skip CT.

Have a nice trip.

danlev

I would suggest making the classic Grand Tour cities of Venice, Florence and Rome the "spine" of your trip, and add in other places as desired. 4 or 5 days in Rome if possible (to say you will "see the sights" in Rome in 3 days is very funny, sorry). 3 or 4 days in Florence (don't miss the Bargello). 3 days in Venice is OK (and it is only 2.5 hours by train from Milan). I wouldn't do both Amalfi Coast and Lake Como. If Amalfi, then 3 days is plenty. Ravenna is fabulous for the mosaics but is kind of out of the way. If Naples then do not miss the Archeological Museum, and have a pizza (seriously, the pizza there can be amazing). I think 2 or 3 days in Chianti, not 4. Do a couple of hill towns besides Sienna. And that's everything I know!

annhig

just jumping back in, I would agree about picking the Amalfi over the CT, however neither are particularly easy to get to. Easier would be Sorrento [which is still a pretty nice place] and to use it as a base for day trips, which could include Amalfi, Naples and Capri, though you would need longer than 3 days for that.

Amazing how easy it is to fill a month, isn't it?

annhig

Since we re asked to help you with your itinerary, and based on your saying that you have 4 weeks, so 28 nights, I have come up with this:

Day 1 - arrive Milan at mid-day. 3 nights in Bellagio [or somewhere nearby with a train station].
Day 4 - train to Venice. arrive midday-ish. Stay 3 nights [should give you 2 ½ days]
Day 7 - train to Florence. Stay 4 nights [includes day trip to Siena by bus]
Day 11 - pick up car, drive to Chianti. Stay 3 nights.
Day 14 - Drive to Orvieto, tour city, return car and catch train to Rome. Stay 4 nights. [give you 3 whole days]
Day 18 - train to Naples, then local train [circumnavigazione] to Sorrento. Stay 5 nights
Day 23 - train to Naples, then bus to airport. Fly to Paris. Stay 6 nights
Day 29 - fly home.

That covers virtually everywhere you have mentioned, save the CT, but you have 5 nights in Sorrento which is as good. It also includes Venice, and Florence. It also gives you 6 nights in Paris which you could easily shorten to give yourselves longer in Bellagio, or in Sorrento, or Rome, or Chianti-shire or.....and you could always swap Sorrento for somewhere on the Amalfi as you'll have long enough to make the effort of getting there worthwhile.

bilboburgler

My thoughts for what they are worth
1) thank you for introducing me to the bellagion casino in Las Vegas ;-)
2) I liked Florence but prefered Venice, not because I don't like the art but I find the idea of living in a lagoon very special. I also found the first section of the Uffizi (religious stuff before 1450 (when perspective was rediscovered a bore)
3) Much as Naples is interesting I think you are missing trick. Cut the Naples bit and rather than going to Venice proper, go stay in Chioggia, while it is very much part of the Venice structure it begins to fall towards the Ferrara/Bologna/Palma foody area, easily accessible by train, while Venice can be reached by boat. Worth at least a thought.

Take the time from Naples and give it to Venice and the Po valley, many people decry the wines from this area but I find even the local AC lumbrusco very palatable, while the Amarone is to die for

bilboburgler

If Amarone has not made it down under yet, it is a "vin de paille" a dried grape wine