Please sign in to post.

11 day Trip in mid July

There are so many good threads and some applied to me but I just wanted to get some expert opinions. My initial thought on the trip is to spend 2 nights in Venice (arriving from Switzerland by train in the mid afternoon), 2 nights in Urbino, 3 nights in Siena/Florence/Southern Hill area, 2 nights in the Langhe/Asti area, and 1 night in Milan.

Two Questions:
1. Am thinking of renting a car in Venice when departing from there and dropping it off at Milan (do not want a car in Milan). I have been reading everyone's suggestions on cars...but places I am thinking of staying are somewhat on country side rather than city and it will be beneficial to have cars, I think

  1. Given it is my first trip to Italy, is Urbino worth the visit or shall I extend other places? If I skip Urbino, I might stay in Firenze for one night and rent a car there instead of Venice then off to Southern Hill area.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Posted by
586 posts

Ciao, Tosh. Looks like you have 10 nights, and as this is your first trip to Italy, I'd suggest you consider something along these lines, building on what you have now:

-3 nights Venice; train to Florence
-3 nights Florence; bus to Siena
-2 or 3 nights Siena (with day trips to smaller nearby Tuscan towns by rented car from Siena or bus); drive or take train to Milano
-1 or 2 nights in Milano

I have nothing against Urbino or the Langhe/Asti area, and if you choose to include them, that's certainly your call, BUT I would recommend, if you do so, eliminating one of the other destinations named above. Too much time traveling, not enough time getting to know a place, otherwise, IMO.

As for the car issue, there's no need at all for a car from Venice to Florence and Florence to Siena. Could come in handy on day trips to small Tuscan towns from Siena as your base. Probably needed, too, if you include the other sites you're considering. And get ready for some summer Italian heat! Good luck, and have a great trip.

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you, Gio. I will consider your suggestions. Will skip Urbino this time and focus more on Hill Towns. Tosh