mutley

Hi there, I'm planning a trip to Italy late August/early September for a 9 day holiday and plan to spend 2 nights each in Venice and Rome before heading to Lake Como for 5 nights. I'll be travelling from London Heathrow, UK and wondered which city I should visit first (Venice or Rome) before heading to Como? I'll be travelling between destinations by train and want to be travelling in the best direction. I believe flying back to the UK from Como should be easy from Milan.

Your suggestions are welcomed - many thanks in advance and best wishes!!

adrienne

Hi Mutley,

You'll need to do Rome, Venice and then Como so you're not backtracking.

Rome to Venice is 4.5 hours; I believe Venice to Milan is 2.5 to 3 hours. Then by train or bus to wherever on Lake Como you'll be staying.

rex

But a problem that I (and many others) have often noted, is that 48 hours in Rome, at the begnning of a trip is a good recipe to leave Rome, hating it. Rome is very, very intense, and it takes 24-48 hours to begin to get used to its sights, its sounds, people, scooters and crowds.

Presumably you can't start at Lake Como? That would be my preferred order, with Rome last.

Best wishes,

Rex

mediterraneo

I agree - you should do the reverse order. After your wedding, you will want to relax for a couple of days, not run around a big city. Fly to Milan, start with Como and then head to Venice and on to Rome. If you go to Rome first, you might be too tired to enjoy it.

ira

topping

Wayne

I would respectfully disagree with those who believe you will be too tired on the first day in Rome. You didn't say which city would be your initial arrival point, but.....If you can fly into Rome and out of Milan, I think the best idea by far is to enjoy Rome first, then Venice, then Como. For my money, I'd rather save the long and relaxing stay in Como for the end of the trip, rather than at the first part.

If you have to fly into Milan, then it's more efficient to spend those first days at Lake Como. If it were I, however, I'd still opt to go from Milan to Rome and make Rome the first stop.

You will certainly be a bit tired from a flight, but if you originate in London you certainly can't be very tired whether you arrive in Milan or Rome. You said you'd be coming into Italy from London, but you didn't say whether that was your origination point. So any advice you get will probably be a bit skewed by assumptions the readers have made regarding your arrival and departure selections. Good luck.

rex

I overlooked that arriving from LHR, or didn't think it meant that you live in London or would be settled there for a period. If this is the case, it reduces my concerns.

mutley

Thanks very much to all who have responded. Not sure where the "honeymoon" bit came from though - I'll be travelling with my Mum!! Sorry to confuse anyone about my departure details. I'll be flying out from London Heathrow at the start of the holiday and returning back to London Heathrow after Como. Having given it some thought, I've decided to opt for Rome first. Want to relax before heading back home, and the visits to Rome and Venice will probably be quite tiring (especially with the train journeys thrown in). Having briefly visited Rome and Venice a few years back, I decided I'd really like my Mum to experience them too. Was initially only planning to take her to Lake Como this year, but then thought, "...when in Italy!!"

Have a great weekend everybody and thanks again!!