Hi! This will be my husband and I’s first time to Italy. We are flying into Milan on April 9 and flying out on the 21st. I plan on staying in Milan one night then heading into Florence for at least 4 nights.
Should I stick to the northern region and visit Santa Margherita and the adjacent riviera towns and possibly finish our trip around lake como. Or take a big leap and spend some substantial time traveling down to Positano and Sorrento. I mainly want to travel to the southern region for all the fantastic views.
We’re looking for romance and beautiful natural surroundings and we are very big foodies. Thanks!!
Posted by
2498 posts
We are flying in and out of Milan like you but a month later. I have previously been to the Amalfi coast.
While I enjoyed the Amafi Coast, I personally would not travel that far this trip. The Amalfi coast is challenging logistically and I think better as a focus of a trip. We spent 10 days there and in Naples. Frankly, I don’t think it is more beautiful than the Lake District-just different.
We are ending our trip at Lake Como because at the time I was making reservations I thought I could stay the night before flying out of Milan in Lake Como. I had to adjust days to spend last night in Milan when I realized it wasn’t doable. You might consider starting at Lake Como which is easy to do because do not need to buy train tickets in advance. You then can go to Florence via Milan and buy advance train tickets without risk.
Then save your night in Milan for the night before you fly out.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you! Do you have a suggestion of where to stay in the lakes area ?
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
1046 posts
I love Sorrento and plan my annual trip around it. Can I suggest two options? What about flights from Florence to Naples? I've not done it, so it's a question more than a suggestion. From there either train or car service or bus to Sorrento (about an hour). OR, option 2: train from Florence to Rome to Naples (3 hours on the Freccia line), then onto Sorrento. Yes, about 4 hours travel. Positano? Sorry, not on my destination list. If running then, take the ferry from Sorrento to Positano to Amalfi Town. Then take the bus back for a completely different view.
Posted by
2498 posts
My preference would be Varenna. I like that it is where the train station and a ferry dock is. That said, we are staying in Menaggio because I couldn’t find an apartment for 6 in Varenna. I don’t think it is as convenient, however. None of the things I want to do are in Menaggio.
Posted by
4381 posts
Flesh out the two options in full and see which maximizes your time. From Florence to Naples or Salerno you can take a fast train, but then I'd be tempted to fly back to Milan at the end (but you have enough time that you could break up the trip by train). Even after over a dozen trips, I sketch it out day by day when planning itineraries. My first blush impression is that Liguria would be more efficient, and it is beautiful as well. Would you be preferring train only or are you open to car rental?