reworked outline....yet again

If Milan doesn't interest you, I would go right to Florence. Milan is a very expensive city for lodging and food. We stayed one night because we were flying in from the west coast of US, but you should be somewhat rested, so the trip shouldn't be too tough. Are there flights to Florence from Manchester or nearby?

Flying from Manchester is not the easiest as I run into expensive flights direct into florence. There is one low cost into Pisa but other options are not good.
I just thought maybe I should check adn see if there are options flying from Milan to Florence on another airline?

For your stay in Milan, I would suggest that if you are not interested in the Last Supper, Opera or fashion, you could head directly to Florence. You'll spend almost an hour on the bus from the airport to the main train station and then its just over 2hrs on the 11:30am ES-Alta Velocita high-speed. The journey is longer on other train runs.

thanks Lary
I really do not have a desire to do those activities in Milan. I have little desire to go milan at all but thought if I was there maybe it would warrant a night.

bluedenim,

A few thoughts on the new Itinerary choices....

Based on the cities you listed, here are a few more options you might consider.

• Manchester

• Fly to Venice from Manchester (Thomas Cook, TuiFly). If no flights to Venice available, try Verona (ThomsonFly), Milan MXP (FlyBe), Milan Orio al Serio BGY (RyanAir - this is the least preferred option) or Pisa (Jet2.com, ThomsonFly). If going to an airport other than Venice, take the train to Venice. I'd allow the better part of one day for this trip - travel time to & from airports, check-in, security, getting to Hotel, etc.

• Train to Florence (travel time will depend on which airport you choose)

• Train to Paris (long journey, min. about 11-12 hours) or fly from Pisa to Paris Orly via EasyJet.

• Train to London via EuroStar (Gare du Nord to London St. Pancras).

I can't recall the details of your earlier posts, but assume you're flying open-jaw into Manchester and home from London LGW or LHR?

This arrangement involves only two budget flights, with the remainder of travel via train (much preferred IMO).

Good luck!

Thanks for the reply Ken
From what I have found thomascook, tuifly do not fly into venice from manchester, nor verona with thomsonfly. Jet2.com is who I was going to fly to pisa with their schedule is not out yet for May but looking at the existing days they fly it won't work.

I would not mind taking the overnight train but it is too long for my travel partner.
I looked at the flights from Pisa to paris and vice versa which arrive very late.

Yes I am going open jaws into manchester out of london.

I came up with another alternative that skips Milan totally

Manchester-Paris via flybe
paris-venice via easy jet
venice-florence via train
florence-London via meridiana

again lots of flying which is not my preference but it might be the only way. At least they are only one way flights no changing planes and all fairly early departure times.

another thought....
I think my travel partner might enjoy the train better during the day
so maybe that is something to consider

maybe
manchester-paris
paris-venice train
venice-florence train
florence-london fly

or
maybe paris-florence train
florence-venice train
venice-london fly

I also found out jet2 flies from leeds bradford which is a bit more of hike but dependong on the waht time the flight leaves we may have a relative to drive us. right now I can book for october from leeds bradford-venice and this week the schedule is released for leedsbradford-pisa and in May for Manchester-Pisa.

at least I have some alternatives planned.

James that is a good point. I have reworked it again based on some information and the flights.

manchester (3)
venice (3) flying from Leeds Bradford
Florence (3)
Milan (1)
Paris (7)
London (4)

so this trip the entire thing will be done by train accept the manchester-venice obviously.
if I get a hotel near the station in Milan and like you said better to visit a city. By breaking up the trip from Florence to Paris I get to see a different city I would not otherwise.