Tips for Italian Trip
 

My wife, 12 year old daughter and I are scheduled to vacation in Italy the first two weeks of October. We arrive in Milan, then to Venice, Rome, Florence, then back to Milan for return flight. Looking for iternary suggestions.
Thanks

It would help to know how much time you have alloted for each city. This information would help the folks here at Fodors to give you some grear insights.

Tom

Okay - - seems lke you kinda already have it. I'll add one night in Verona at the beginning.

Day 0 - board plane
Day 1 - arrive Milan; train to Verona; overnight there.
Day 2 - train to Venice; stay there nights 2,3,4,
Day 6 - train to Rome; stay there nights 5,6,7,8
Day 10 - train to Florence; stay there nights 9,10,11 and optionally 12; while there, maybe take day trips to Siena (bus) and/or Pisa (train)
Day 12 or 13 - train to Milan; stay there until your flight home. If time and money permit take a day trip to Lake Como, and ideally visit Villa Balbianello.
Day 14 - fly home.

Best wishes,

Rex

Hello leSenator, originally I believe you were going to rent a car? I think the intinery that Rex planned out for you is very good. I am very familar with all those areas and I truly believe that Rex's thoughts would give you a beautiful and yet relaxing trip and think your daughter would enjoy it also. Best wishes to you.

Ooops, Hi Tom!!! Know you are counting the days.

BTW, I took photos this summer with film the photostore recommended which was Fujifilm 200. Had it developed by Kodax. The photos came out terrible! They were basically outside photos...film is what Ritz Cameras suggested for these photos.
I am so mad, LOL. I am going to try the b&w film you told me to get. Anxious to try it. Take good care and keep counting those days!

Sorry for highjacking your thread leSenator.

This itinerary I propose can easily be modified to include a car. It could also be done in reverse order... Florence first, then Rome, then Venice. The car can be used for three days en route Rome-Venice, or Venice-Milan very nicely. I think rhat Verona and Florence are both good "intro" cities to get your feet wet in Italy.

We took a trip in June to Italy. At that time of year, we found Florence overcrowded and were glad to leave. We met others who actually shortened there stay in Florence. I believe you have to reserve tickets for the museums. I recommend you check on that.
Just an opinion. I am sure others will disagree.

Thanks Rex. This is my first trip overseas and needed the reassuring. Our itinerary is very close to your recommendations, thanks to prelimenary browsing. Imput from yourself, Ira & others were extremely helpful. Once again, thanks!

Our first Italian vacation with our then 12 yr old son was exactly the same but we flew out of Rome so we didn't have to backtrack. In fact, it was even the same time of year. We had one night in Verona, then 3 nights each in Venice, Florence and ROme. You'll have such a wonderful time. Layer your clothes as the mornings and evenings are cool but the days can still be warm.

In a private e-mail, I was asked to elaborate on Villa Balbianello.

The website http://www.fondoambiente.it/english/...nell/index.htm tells part of the story.

I am not sure I can easily explain what is so special about Villa (del) Balbianello... to get a partial understanding, I recommend the 30+ (web) pages of pictures at http://www.residencelulivo.com/eng/indville_e.htm - - this gives you the overview of how/why this magnificent lake has been, for centuries, the choicest of choice locations for a villa getaway, by and for those who could choose any property in all of Italy to create masterpieces of tranquil and beautiful escape. And the very most select - - at least for its unique geography - - is Villa Balbianello. Add to this that it has some "real" historic significance (it has very old foundations, as a monastery, I think), and that it was groomed and aggrandized into the twentieth century by an eccentric millionaire/world "conqueror" - - and add the mystique of its use in the movies (A Year at the Lake, Star wars, Attack of the Clones) and you will start to get it.

You just have to see it.

It is not as spectacular as Hearst Castle, nor Biltmore Estate, nor Schloss Linderhof - - but for concentrated "jewel" character on what may be the most spectacular point of geography on any lake anywhere in the world...well...

you just have to see it.

Does that help?

I though that this add-on post was my sincere attempt to provide a thoughtful answer. It seems to have somehow missed its mark. If others would like to add their own personal remarks about Villa Balbianello, the forum will be the richer for it.

Thank you Rex. Looks like a perfect way to spend a relaxing day

Rex's description of Villa Balbianello is right on. While he says it isn't as spectacular as Hearst or Scholl Linderhof or Biltmore, he's right, but I can tell you what makes it so special. I couldn't LIVE in any of those other places. But I would give anything to LIVE in Villa Balbianello.

I appreciate the nice remarks, leS, P...