quick trip to Italy

Hi Susan,
Since you are going to be in Milan for two weeks you should do a trip (you could overnight or just do a day trip) to Bellagio and the lake area. Its very beautiful and close enough to Milan to do a day trip.
We did a daytrip last year and had a great time taking the ferry to Bellagio and having lunch at a restaurant at the waterfront. Very relaxing. In fact the next day I wanted to go back again. We were there in September and it was very warm in Milan (july would be worse I think) so you might really find the lake area refreshing. Have fun.

That could stress you out a bit.

Here is one suggestion, if you are up to it. Take a train to Poggibonsi in Tuscany. This is kind of a central hub for trains in the area so it connects to many of the areas in Tuscany. Better yet would be to stay nearby, and rent a car, then drive through Tuscany. Buying an Italian rail pass ASAP would save you some bucks, but you have to do it before going. They are on-line.

You can reach Venice by train and see it easily using public transportation once there, and just walking, so that would be easy, or even making it a long day trip from Milan, though I would suggest staying longer in Venice.

Places I would visit with your FIL would be Lake Como, reachable by train from Milan, Orvieto for an overnight stay, Rome can be seen using their public transportation, but be careful of pickpockets while there (personal experience), back to Tuscany, in particular Siena. Visiting Florence can be done by walking. It is mostly flat where all the sites are.

A personal favorite but a little harder to reach would be Sirmioni on Lake Garda. Public transportation requires a train then a bus to get to Sirmioni, but a two night stay there is really nice. It is not far from Milan - less then two hours driving time, for instance - but a real find for weary travellers.

Look into the Italian rail pass, though.

Susan,

Given the short time frame of your trip, I'd suggest something along these lines:

Use open jaw flights, inbound Milan and outbound from Rome.

When your Son arrives, spend 1 or 2 days seeing Milan and then travel to other places. Some places you might consider:

• Lago di Como / Varenna & Bellagio - you could do this as a day trip from Milan, as it's only about 1 hour each way. It would be nicer to spend at least one night there, so that you're not "rushed".

• You might stop for a few hours in Verona on your way to Venice (it's a beautiful city, and of course the location for the "Romeo & Juliet" balcony). Opera season is probably "on" so doubtful you'll be able to get a room.

• Venice - spend 1 or 2 nights there. It takes on a different character after dark and it's wonderful to wander around and explore.

• Florence - this is in Tuscany and I'd recommend 1 or 2 nights there. If you're planning on visiting the Uffiza or Accademia, reservations would definitely be a good idea.

• Siena - also in Tuscany. It may be busy in July due to the Palio (can't remember when that is this year), so it's probably too late to get accommodations. Therefore, you might consider...

• Orvieto - this is in Umbria and a beautiful small hill town. Tour the incredible Duomo, St. Patrick's Well or take a day trip to one of Rick's favourite hill towns, Civita di Bagnoregio.

• Rome - try to save at least 4 days for Rome, as there's A LOT to see. Be sure to take the Italy Guidebook with you as it's great for reference during a trip.

Happy travels!

Hello Susan. If your son will be in ITALY for one week : I think one week is not enough time for visiting those four places. I suggest : delete Milan from your travel plan. If you arrive at an airport of Milan in the morning, travel in a train from Milan to Venice that day. (Italian EuroStar, First Class). And ride in trains from Venice to Florence, and to Rome. You did not say at what city your son will depart from Italy. In July the towns and boats at Italy's northern Lakes are VERY crowded with vacationing Italian people. Instead of going to a Lake, I suggest go to a Cinque Terre Village, after your son leaves. Reserving a room at a Cinque Terre village could be difficult.

thanks all for the suggestions, I don't know if I made it clear that we will be arriving in Milan but then traveling around part of the country, and leaving from Rome, so only a few days in Milan then off to other cites, want to see Florence as well...any suggestions as to places to stay that arent too expensive? how are the b&bs??

Susan,

I kind of assumed that you wouldn't be staying in Milan for the whole visit, but wasn't sure. The suggestions I listed should still be applicable.

Once you have a somewhat definite list of cities, post another note here regarding Hotel / B&B suggestions. You could also use the Italy 2009 Guidebook (which contains lots of listing in different price ranges) or TripAdvisor.

Cheers!