I am planning a trip with my wife and another couple (all 30-35yrs old) to Italy in late October through 1st week of November.(2 weeks) I need help! We are planning on flying into Milan, then drive to Venice, Florence and Maybe Italian Riviara. Would really appreciate any info on days to stay in each city and what not to miss. Or any other info. Thank You!

Hi bert,

Why not fly into Venice?

You will be off season for the coast.

Is there a reason why you are skipping Rome?

No need for a car in Venice or Florence. I would suggest taking the train from Milan to Venice and then from Venice to Florence. A car would be handy along the Riviera particularly if you wanted to see some of the Tuscan countryside on the drive from Florence to the Riviera. Personally, I would spend more time in Tuscany or include Rome rather than visit the Riviera.

Bert, Ira is right--fly into Venice if you can. Then, do this itinerary:
Venice--3
Florence--3
Get car--rural Tuscany--3
Ligurian coast---3
Last nite near Milan airport

Or, reverse it if Milan is a given.

The Ligurian coast in the end of october and the beginning of november will likely be rainy, which could mean no beach time and severely restricted hiking choices. I'd do Umbria or Rome instead.

Thank you for the replies. We are set for Milan since one couple wanted to book through American and they do not fly into Venice. I felt like Rome may be too far but it seems I might be wrong? We are second guessing the car if the rail is more effecient. Although we did Ireland by car and liked going through all the town and seeing a little bit more. Keep the suggestions coming. THANK YOU!

American (thru partner British Airways) flys into Pisa (for Tuscany) and Venice.

Jas,
Thanks but they already booked.

I would do the following:
Train Milan to Venice for 3 nights
Train Venice to Florence for 3 nights
Rental car through Tuscany countryside for 3 nights (stay in one location - Cortona or Pienza maybe)
Return rental car in Rome - spend 4 nights
Eurostar Rome to Milan
If you really didn't want to go to Rome you could spend another night in Tuscany and then drive up to Riviera for 3 nights before driving back to Milan. In this case you would probably want to stick to northern Tuscany - Lucca or San Gmignano perhaps.

topping

If you are going to go to Rome just to be IN Rome and still have a rental car (in Tuscany) I would ditch it before I ever even went to Rome. Take the train to Rome, where you do not need a car...and driving to Rome isn't any great scenic adventure IMO...enjoy the city and then rail back to Milan.