Most Efficient Itinerary
 

We have planned to travel from Milan to Venice, Florence, CT, then Siena(Tuscany towns), and end in Rome. Is this the most efficient order with train/bus transportation? Would it be better to go from Venice to CT, then to Florence? Your vast experience would be appreciated.

I trust that you have over 15 days to do all of this. Do you feel like driving? Perhaps rent a car when you leave Venice, turn it in when you are arriving in Florence (eventually heading for Rome).<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

topping, for Pam<BR>

I think looking for efficiency in Italy is a big mistake. One off its greatest charms is its lack of that quality. <BR><BR>I think that unles you have 3 weeks you are doing way too much. So many of the pleasures of Itlay involve just wandering around or going back to see something you spotted on the way to somewhere else that I find 3-4 days in a spot a minimum. A place like Venice requires a week to fully enjoy its rythyms. Be sure to slow down so you have time to drink espresso, stop at wine bars, go into every church you pass (perhaps impossible in Venice) and eat gelato.

I can only say that when we went to Italy, we didn't do Milan or Venice, but we did do the other places in the order you mention, and yes we did them by train and bus. EAch stop is separated by about 2.5 to 3 travel hours, quite doable. Had we done Milan and Venice, then yes I would have done them in the order you have given.

Yes, this is a good order. Can't comment on whether you are doing too much since you don't state how long you will be in each place or how many in your party.<BR><BR>I think the train from Milan to Venice to Florence to CT to Siena makes sense as you don't need or want a car in any of these places. However, you are best to rent a car to see the hilltowns of Tuscany and can return your rental in Rome. This assumes you would rent the car in Siena as you depart Siena. I see two reasonable variations on this plan:<BR><BR>1. See Siena as a day trip, by bus, from Florence. Then rent your car as you depart the CT to visit the smaller hilltowns.<BR><BR>2. Rent your car upon departing CT and plan to stay just outside of Siena rather than in Siena proper so you'll have a place to park the car.<BR><BR>Hope this is helpful. Have a wonderful trip.

ttt for Pam<BR>

Thanks to all of you for your help. To answer a question, there will be two of us & we have 16 nights in Italy. We were planning no time in Milan, 3 nights in Venice, 3 nights in Florence, 3 in CT, 3 nights in Rome. We definitely want the small town local experience & we know we have a lot of big cities lined up. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.