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14 Nights in Northern Italy

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Hello, We are two couples planning a 14 night stay in Italy in September. We are going to Italy for the food, wine, culture and to see new places (seen Rome, Venice...). We would appreciate your input on our proposed itinerary. We don't have our hotels yet, but plan to make reservations this month. (It's been so difficult narrowing down where to go. I already have a list for our next visit.)

Here is our itinerary:
- Fly into Milan around 3 pm - should we stay near airport or go into the city, as we are taking the train the next day to Cinque Terre or should we go to CT directly? (1 night)
- CT - 3 nights Haven't decided where to stay, probably Monterosso or Vernazza - suggestions?
- Via train, stop at Pisa on way to Florence for 2 nights - planning to hire guide for 1 day to see David and the Duomo
- Take train to Siena (or thereabouts), where we will rent a car and stay in agriturismo for 4 nights - suggestions?
- Take train to Parma (? - after some research chose Parma over Bologna or Modena) for 3 nights
- Take train to Milan, see the Last Supper, spend last night in Milan or near airport for 11 a.m. flight the next day

I've read several of the entries within the Italy forum. I so appreciate the time that others take to respond to questions from community members. I live in a tourist destination, so I understand how valuable it is to have a local's/experienced visitor's point of view. So I'm sending my gratitude to you for reading my posting and possibly replying. Thank you!

Posted by
5298 posts

Robin,
I’d probably spend the first night in Milan since it would be quite a long trek to get to CT after a long transatlantic flight (I presume you’re flying from the U.S.?)

Stay in a hotel near the Milano Centrale for easy access the following morning.
I’ve enjoyed my stay in Hotel Garda. Hotel Berna (across the street from Hotel Garda) is popular with many on this forum.

Monterosso is the largest village in the CT, therefore you’ll find more accommodations and amenities there. Monterosso is also the only village in CT with a small sandy beach.
You can visit all the other villages via frequent trains.

Have you visited Florence before? If not, do consider staying at least an extra night.
Two nights will only give you one full day in this amazing city.

I’ll let others chime in with information regarding driving in Tuscany, and staying in an agriturismo, neither of which I’ve done. [I usually travel via public transportation]

Make sure you book your tickets to the Last Supper 3 months in advance😉

Enjoy your trip!

Posted by
5250 posts

If you think you can manage it, I would definitely press on to CT upon arrival. Check schedules on the trenitalia website. That saves you a one nighter that you can add elsewhere.
As for where to stay in CT, all five villages are so close I would just choose based on accommodations you like, especially since you will be looking for something suitable for two couples. It may seem early, but I like to book accommodations asap for the best choice.

Posted by
34 posts

Thank you, Priscilla and Valadelphia for your input. I'm still conflicted on our itinerary. Since there are so many places we want to see, we hope to get to CT the first night, staying there 3 nights. The train from Milan will get us in at 9 pm. Too late, I think. I found that suntransfers.com or mydaytrip.com are transfer companies that would pick us up at MXP and drive us to Monterosso. We would get in around 7:30 pm. Suntransfers is cheaper but I saw some negative comments. Also, if our flight is late, then we will still get into CT late. Any thoughts? Does anyone have another transfer company that you had good experience with?

We are considering going from CT to Lucca for three nights, rather than stay in Florence. Perhaps take the train to Florence and hire a guide for a private tour. From Lucca, go further into Tuscany where we will rent a car and explore the hill towns. We would like to stay in an agriturismo for 4 nights. And then go to Parma for 3 nights before returning to Milan for a our flight out. OR should we skip Parma and spend 3 nights in Florence?

Thanks again, everyone.

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