That's what I was thinking. Fly in to Milan take the train to Florence, since the airport is closed and Pisa is too crazy now with their limited flights. Then Sun, Mon, Tues Florence, see Tuscany region. Then Tues evening or Wed early am maybe take the train to Venice stay there (if it cant be seen in one day) Wed, Thurs day trips from Venice and Friday back to Milan so Sat I can se Milan all day possibly take trip to the Lakes or see the last supper. Sun we leave.
Just a thought. I value any advice.

now that's sounding much better! i would definitely try for at least a couple days in Venice (not doing day trips, actually staying in and seeing Venice, no, it can't be done in a day, in my opinion).

My daughter just flew into Florence yesterday. When does that airport close?

Delta told me yesterday I believe it is March through Early April. They are renovating it.

Your trip sounds good now! But don't take any day trips from Venice. Trust me, once you get there, you won't want to!

If you really must see 2 countries, fly into Rome, Italy, spend a day in the Vatican City, and call it a done deal.

I will offer another alternative that will give you two very different experiences:

Since art is a major interest for you, you could fly into Milan, take the train to Florence and see as much as you can for 4 days.

Then, take a train back to Milan and then on to Varenna on Lake Como. Stay in Varenna or Bellagio for two days, or three, then return to Milan for the final day, seeing the Duomo and the Galleria, and getting to the airport early the next morning. If you are lucky, you may even get a reservation for the Last Supper in Milan.

Okay, this is what I am thinking now.
Fly to Milan take the train to Florence stay in Florence 3 1/2 to 4 days. Then I was thinking Siena for 1 day 1/2 or Venice (which I know I'll need more time) Then back to Milan to see the last Supper.
Or I can do what you suggested see as much as Florence as I can including Tuscany region etc for 4 days then head towards Milan and stay in Vareena or Bellagio for 2 nights then back to Milan. What about Lugano? If you had to pick between Lugano,Bellagio or Vareena for two nights which place would you pick? How far is Lugano from Switzerland border is it right there?
Thank you all for your advice. I am realizing that it is much better to see one city like Florence and Maybe Siena (day trip?) and then get a feel for the Lake Region then it is to run to too many cities in just 8 days!!!
Any suggestions welcome.
Thanks

Would I need a car in Florence or to see the Tuscany region?
ALso, How is The Hotel Savoy any other hotels that are nice and reasonable?

Any ideas of hotels in Vareena or Bellagio or Milan?

Okay I now looked at a map and I see that Lugano is basically in Switzerland. Some web sites day Lugano, Italy some say Lugano, Switzerland, so I was confused.

As for the Florence airport, it will be closed from February 4th until late April OFFICIALLY, but everyone here knows that it will be closed for at least 6 months. Flights are being rerouted through other airports. You might find it best to train to Florence. Also be aware that there is a move afoot to rationalize the functions of Pisa and Florence, with Pisa serving as an international hub, and Florence serving as a national hub.
Personally, I understand that you want to experience a couple of major cities during your vacation. Paris is a terrific idea. Milan does have a fair amount to offer -- the world's oldest covered shopping area, their Duomo, La Scala and its museum, high fashion shopping and browsing. It truly is an international city. BUT if you want to experience another city specifically for its ambience, try Florence (small in size, managable in scope versus Rome) or Venice. Remember that 3 days might equate to alot less, once you factor in flight arrival and departure times, check-in times, and train schedules.
Best of luck!

We actually arrive in Milan at 8:30 am,I considered taking a flight to Pisa but they were so limited, so I am now back to the train. Which I hear runs pretty often. I figure that should give us most of that day in Florence which is Sunday then, Mon, Tues Wed and leave for Venice or the Lake District Wed evening by train and then stay Wedeve, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and stay in Milan Sat eve for flight on Sunday am. How does that sound? Would you go to Venice from Florence or Bellagio area? Venice I believe is 2 hours by train to Milan so I am heading that direction. The lake district obviously I am not too far from my return flight as well. Siena is out I am going to far away unless I get a flight home from Rome or another city instead of going back up to Milan.
Thanks for your advice. Paris is out. I have fallen in love with Italy and I think Paris will be another trip.
Thank sagain, Any more suggestions? or hotels?

Hi there!
Try www.trenitalia.com for schedules for italian trains. You can get to Milan from Florence and vice versa quite easily, and then from Florence to Venice, and then from Venice back to Milan. Your travels will form quite a nice triangle! The Eurostar trains are convenient and quite fast. The trip from Milan to Florence will be your longest leg, at 2 hours and 45 minutes by Eurostar (express train). Florence to Venice will take 2 hours and 40 minutes again by Eurostar (express train). And from Venice to Milano will take 2hours 47 minutes. Remember that it is EXPENSIVE to travel by taxi from the centre of Milano to Malpensa airport (at least 75 Euros). Keep this in mind for your last night. If you are leaving on an EARLY flight from Malpensa, you will not be able to catch the train from Milano Centrale to the airport (starts around 6am), nor would you be able to take the express bus (starts about the same time). SO, if Milan at the end will be ONLY a place to sleep, you can arrive at Milano Centrale, then catch a train or bus from the central train station to Malpensa and get a hotel there. This will save you around 100 dollars or so!
Just a thought...
Have FUN

I have to admit that I get a head ache every time I read one of your reponses. You are literally "all over the map" with your decision making process. I can hardly wait to read you trip report. Have a nice trip!! Mike

Decision making process?? The point of all of this is to help with the "DECISION MAKING PROCESS" From advice from others who have traveled to theses destinations. I am just trying to confirm the cities we will be going to. Who is all over the map??
Florence, Venice, the lake district, Milan?? From what I gather they are all within a few hours of each other give or take a bit. I have deleted Paris from my trip with the help of talking to others on my time restriction. So as far as being all over the place I think you need to re visit some e mails or not be so bothered by it. I am just trying to make the correct city decision for the short time (8 days) we have.

If Mike's reply seems a bit harsh, perhaps it is because he has elected to (?re-)read this thread, starting at the top. You thought that my first (two) response(s) sounded harsh too - - and yet I think I was <i>part of</i> your &quot;decision making process&quot; - - to get Paris off your list, to Greece off your list - - and realize that you're be able to experience &quot;two different places&quot; in the portion of Italy you have chosen.

I do think your itinerary is still a bit whirlwind - - and I hope that Lake Como (or Maggiore or where you choose) doesn't disappoint you in April, as I think it is just a tad early (on the other hand, it could be splendid). And whirlwind isn't always bad - - only you know what pace &quot;feels right&quot; for your family. Some get itchy to cover some new ground, see some new places - - that isn't a bad thing.

Still, a cautious note about &quot;all just two hours apart&quot;. Two hours apart - - to me - - is Louisville, Lexington, Cincinnati or Indianapolis. It will take longer than two hours for every segment you have described. Heck, it take an hour once you get TO Venice... to get anywhere IN Venice.

But you'll do fine. I think that this is an interesting evolutionary thread.

I figured he was reading from the beginning. Whatever. You know I have been to many many places in my life, and growing up in New York City really opens your eyes to everything!!!

I really just wrote on here to get some advice because I am a first time &quot;European traveler&quot;. I figured hey what the heck.

I admit i was a bit out there when I first wrote. I was so overwhelmed with where to go and how close so many places would be to where I was, so many places that I really have only dreamed about. I was like hey I can go here from here and it's only a 2 hour flight etc. I am now focused and am trying to make the most of these 8 days.
I have a sister in law who is doing the Italy trip in May and from the beginning I was like Oh I dont't want to be running and running from train to train. They are doing like 5 cities in 7 days!!!
I want to really see 1 or 2 places. That is why I picked Paris and Milan. I figured a few days in Milan I happen to be flying in there and then move on To Paris for 6 days.

It's not my fault I fell for Italy!!

I hear what you are saying about the trains I know 2-3 hours means more like 4-5, so I am trying to figure out what will be the best solution so we are not always running and wasting time traveling. I don't want to look back and say did we see anything?

I like the advice someone had of seeing as much as Florence as we can then going to Bellagio for the remainder
I know I was concerned in April the Lakes. Believe me I have thought about that. I am thinking Florence is my number one choice and then where else can I go so I am not on and off trains?? Stay in Florence for 8 days?

That seems to be what some of you are saying?

You mean if people don't have 2 weeks or 3 weeks then don't go to Europe??

Yes whirlwhind doesn't bother me. I just figured all of you have seem to have traveled these routes before, you know what is &quot;worth&quot; going to and what is &quot;worth&quot; saving for another time or skipping all together.

I value your opinions and think it's smart of me to ask for advice so I can make the most of my 8 days and when I look back I can say yes we went here and here and we really saw these places and I loved it. Who knows I may return and say oh!! I am going to go back there I want to see more or I might pick two new places to go and will be writing for more advice!!

Most people would have been scared off by some of the replies I have gotten. Not me.

Remember I am a New Yorker I can handle what some of you throw at me. I know you are all just speaking from experience.
I am glad Rex that this has been a evolutionary thread for you!! I try my best!!

I admire your spirit in the &quot;hazing&quot; of becoming pat of the Fodorites' &quot;family&quot; here.

Why don't you call Giuliani and offer to be his running mate for '08?

I say the two of you would do the country good with your enthusiasm and &quot;can do&quot; attitude.

Eight days in Florence? No. Don't drop Venice from your plans.

Okay. I trust your opinion. I will look at Florence, Venice and that is all. Maybe I will switch my flight from another city. It seems that Venice is closer than Florence is to Milan? That is what it looks like on the map. or maybe it is about the same distance its hard to tell.
I can go to Venice first Sun,Mon,Tues. Tues eve - travel to Florence see Florence, Wed,Thurs,Fri,Sat then Sat later in day take the train to Rome to fly home on Sunday?
I will have to look into that.

p.s. yes this does feel a little like &quot;hazing&quot;!!!!Ha!!!!

Twins77,

Hey don't yell at us!!! I was YOU who is/was all over the map - literally. And you who chose to do your thinking out loud in front of us all. That's not a bad thing, but most people have thought things out a bit further before they post.

No one said if you only have 1 week you should stay home.

We were kindly suggesting that in 7 days time seeing: Milan, Paris, Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Athens... just might be a bit much (read your own original post!).