Openjaw ticket to which city in Italy
Jun 22nd, 2008, 06:13 PM
#1
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Openjaw ticket to which city in Italy
My husband and I are planning a three week trip to Italy in 2009 - end of April to mid May.
My husband has not been to Italy, but I have been to Venice, Florence and Rome. We will be renting car and using trains for this trip. I would like to see Lake Como, Venice, Tuscany, Rome and Amalfi coast. I know that will shock all the the "slow travelers" but we like to move around and want to get there before the Euro exchange resembles the pound!
My question is: Should we fly into Milan and out of Rome? Will the weather be okay at Lake Como at the end of April? Then make our way south. Or should we start in Rome, go to Amalfi, then make our way back north. I was hoping to end our trip either in Rome or romantic Venice. I have used the trains in Europe and we love the freedom and adventure of having our own car. I just can't seem to get a handle on where to start this trip. Any suggestions would greatly appreciated.
My husband has not been to Italy, but I have been to Venice, Florence and Rome. We will be renting car and using trains for this trip. I would like to see Lake Como, Venice, Tuscany, Rome and Amalfi coast. I know that will shock all the the "slow travelers" but we like to move around and want to get there before the Euro exchange resembles the pound!
My question is: Should we fly into Milan and out of Rome? Will the weather be okay at Lake Como at the end of April? Then make our way south. Or should we start in Rome, go to Amalfi, then make our way back north. I was hoping to end our trip either in Rome or romantic Venice. I have used the trains in Europe and we love the freedom and adventure of having our own car. I just can't seem to get a handle on where to start this trip. Any suggestions would greatly appreciated.
Jun 22nd, 2008, 06:29 PM
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Hi rfbk,
At that time of year, I would start south and work north. You will avoid the worst crowds at the Amalfi Coast, but it should be nice enough weather. Venice will be busy in May, but nothing like summer.
I think you can do these destinations if you have a good idea of what your priorities are and plan accordingly. It will take a compromise between you and your husband since you have been to some cities before.
Buon viaggio!
At that time of year, I would start south and work north. You will avoid the worst crowds at the Amalfi Coast, but it should be nice enough weather. Venice will be busy in May, but nothing like summer.
I think you can do these destinations if you have a good idea of what your priorities are and plan accordingly. It will take a compromise between you and your husband since you have been to some cities before.
Buon viaggio!
Jun 22nd, 2008, 06:29 PM
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On our last 2 trips to Italy we flew into Milan and out of Rome. We started in Santa Margherita Ligure, went to Florence and Tuscany, on to Umbria, then to the Amfalfi Coast, and ended up in Rome. We spent 3 weeks in Italy. On the trip before we ended the trip on the Amalfi Coast and went to Rome for the last day before flying out of FCO.
I think your plan sounds reasonable, and often you can get some fairly good fares during that time of year.
Your really don't need a car in Venice, Rome, or the Amalfi Coast, but you do need one in Tuscany.
Good luck.
[email protected]
I think your plan sounds reasonable, and often you can get some fairly good fares during that time of year.
Your really don't need a car in Venice, Rome, or the Amalfi Coast, but you do need one in Tuscany.
Good luck.
[email protected]
Jun 22nd, 2008, 06:49 PM
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Main airports in the north you can use include (but not limited to) Milan Malpensa (MXP), Milan Linante (LIN) and Venice (VCE). You may want to end in Venice and fly out of there.
In the south, you can start from Naples (NAP). Only Eurofly flies non-stop from the US to NAP in the summer, but you can connect from many European airports to NAP. Or just fly to Rome if the flight schedules are better.
In the south, you can start from Naples (NAP). Only Eurofly flies non-stop from the US to NAP in the summer, but you can connect from many European airports to NAP. Or just fly to Rome if the flight schedules are better.
Jun 23rd, 2008, 07:12 AM
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Hi R,
> I would like to see Lake Como, Venice, Tuscany, Rome and Amalfi coast. ...
I would fly into Venice, go to Como, drive through Tuscany to the AC, drop the car in Salerno and take the train to Rome.
Enjoy your visit.
OR
Fly into Rome, pick up the car in Salerno and drop it in Venice.
Enjoy your visit.
> I would like to see Lake Como, Venice, Tuscany, Rome and Amalfi coast. ...
I would fly into Venice, go to Como, drive through Tuscany to the AC, drop the car in Salerno and take the train to Rome.
Enjoy your visit.
OR
Fly into Rome, pick up the car in Salerno and drop it in Venice.
Enjoy your visit.
Jun 23rd, 2008, 02:10 PM
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I'd recommend flying into Rome and out of Milan.
You could see Rome and Amalfi Coast the first week, then train to Orvieto or other hilltown and pick up a rental car for seeing Tuscany for the second week. Drop car off in Florence and train to Venice for 3 nights, take train to Lake Como (via Milan) for 3 nights, then fly out of Malpensa, which is accessible from Lake Como without going back through Milan. Saving Lake Como for last would leave you with an unforgettable image of Italy! Plus, the weather should be nicer later in May.
I don't care for Venice as a last stop because of the hassle of such early AM departures.
You could see Rome and Amalfi Coast the first week, then train to Orvieto or other hilltown and pick up a rental car for seeing Tuscany for the second week. Drop car off in Florence and train to Venice for 3 nights, take train to Lake Como (via Milan) for 3 nights, then fly out of Malpensa, which is accessible from Lake Como without going back through Milan. Saving Lake Como for last would leave you with an unforgettable image of Italy! Plus, the weather should be nicer later in May.
I don't care for Venice as a last stop because of the hassle of such early AM departures.
Jun 23rd, 2008, 02:31 PM
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I think Hagen's suggestion is a good one.
You can hire a car with driver to take you from anywhere on Lake Como to Malpensa at a reasonable price and without the concern of having to turn in at the airport.
You can hire a car with driver to take you from anywhere on Lake Como to Malpensa at a reasonable price and without the concern of having to turn in at the airport.
Jun 25th, 2008, 03:43 PM
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Just a note - I did make a decision on my itinerary. Starts in Rome and ends in Venice. I will go down to AC then back up to Tuscany, Lake Como and end in Venice.
I just got PERFECT flights with my Northwest miles. Two tickets for 50,000 miles each. They would have cost $1,415 each out of Detroit. Now I will only say good things about NW!
I just got PERFECT flights with my Northwest miles. Two tickets for 50,000 miles each. They would have cost $1,415 each out of Detroit. Now I will only say good things about NW!
