We've been reading past posts on itineraries and think our plan looks good. Still, wouldn't mind suggestions. We are two couples who have traveled together before, but not in Europe. My wife and I spent two weeks in Italy several years ago, seeing the usual first timer stops - Rome, Florence, Pisa, Venice, Siena; this is the first time in Italy for the other couple. However, we don't mind revisiting these places. So here is what we're thinking:
We arrive in Milan mid-a.m. on Sept. 13th from U.S. Head for the Lakes (4 nights), Venice (6 nights), Cinque Terre (4 nights), Florence (5 nights in town), Tuscany (5 nights, Montepulciano?), Amalfi coast (5 nights), Rome (5 nights), returning from Rome to U.S., early a.m. flight on Oct. 17th.
We're still working on exactly how long at each stop but need to nail that down soon so we can start making reservations. After reading comments about travel, we think relying on trains most of the time is our best bet. We are considering renting a car upon arrival in Milan for the Lakes, perhaps returning it to Milan and catching a train to Venice. We also anticipate having a car in Tuscany, perhaps renting it when we leave Florence and returning it somewhere (Orvieto?) on our way to the Amalfi coast.
So, any thoughts from the more experienced travelers?
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, United States
907 posts
What a trip, sounds great. Car to the lakes then La Spezia, dump car, go to 5 Terre (I think you have one too many nights here, save it for Tuscany). Train to Florence (maybe save one of these nights for Tuscany so you have 7 and rent a villa). Train to Venice. Train back to Tuscany (Florence probably) rent a car. Villa in Tuscany, drive down to Orvieto or Rome, train to Sorrento (transport to Amalfi Coast or stay in Sorrento and day trip with a car and driver). Alternatively you could drive from Tuscany all the way to Sorrento or Naples (if here take the ferry to wherever). High speed train to Rome from Naples (from Sorrento) or Salerno.
Small modifications but my thoughts. Venice makes it awkward as it is all the way across the country, but it is worth it.
Posted by
11679 posts
One less day in the Cinque Terre. We never have a car in the Italian Lakes and use the lake ferries. We use a driver from MXP to LakeComo, David’s Guerrero who is based in the city of Como. Parking is a challenge in many lake towns.
With 6 N in Venice you can a day trip to Padua, or alpine Bassano de Grappa, beautiful, all by train. It all sounds wonderful!
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Consider changing your path slightly.
Milan-Varenna-Venice-Florence-CT
All by train. As you leave CT, rent your car in LaSpezia-Tuscany- AC
Drop car in Sorrento. AC-Rome.
This path means you have only one rental to deal with. You are also alternating water and land based destinations.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15798 posts
Sounds lovely. A few suggestions -
Venice - 6 nights? Are you planning day trips? Venice is not a great base for day-tripping because it can take a long time to get to/from the train station. If you want to relax and stay on the island, with trips to the islands, that's fine.
I'm not a great fan of the Cinque Terre, especially in recent years with the influx of day trippers, so I'd seriously consider either staying in one of the other coastal towns or skipping it in favor of visiting Assisi and Orvieto (Umbria) along with Tuscany for 7-9 days. Then drop the car in Florence for your stay there - since you presumably won't be taking day trips, 5 nights may be one too many. From Florence you can take a fast train south to Naples.
Amalfi Coast - where you stay and for how long depends on what you want to see and do there. Sorrento is a popular base because it's conveniently connected by local transportation to Capri, Pompeii, Herculaneum, even Naples, and the Amalfi coastal towns. Last year I stayed in Salerno and liked it as much as Sorrento (on a previous trip) and probably better location if you want to spend most of your time on the coast, and it's an easy day trip to Paestum. If you've cut the Cinque Terre, you could add a couple of nights here. Maybe even split your stay between two places. A bonus for Salerno is it's connected by fast train to Naples/Rome.
Posted by
8460 posts
cut two nights from Cinque Terre, cut 2 nights from Venice, add visits to Perugia, Assisi and Spoleto.
Posted by
OP
Florida, USA
2 posts
Thanks to everyone who made suggestions! We’ve cut a day or two here and there, booked a week in a villa in Tuscany and ended up with a bonus day near the end. Perfect!