9 nights - Rome/Florence/Venice/Como - Need help w itinerary!

I would cut out Lake Como add a day to Rome and spend the last night in Milan. It would be too difficult to go from Como to Milan airport if you have an early morning flight.

I forgot to also suggest to spend about half as much on lodging and stay longer.

i wish i could stay longer but I am leaving my two little ones back home and this is the longest we can handle. thanks for the input. I was hoping to fit in on "off the beaten path" beautiful and mellow location and thought Como would be a good fit for a day or two. Rome, Florence, Venice is great but one extra little, not as big place seemed like a good ending to a hectic trip?

jess, with a trip of "9 nights total", keep in mind that you'll lose the first day in flight times and time zone changes, and the last day will be spent on the flight home (could you clarify - are you departing on a Monday?). You'll also be jet lagged for the first few days). ¶ If you're absolutely set on visiting those four locations, it is possible but you may have to drop one night somewhere in order to allow one night in Milan prior to the flight home. What time does your return flight depart? ¶ To answer some of your questions... Varenna is a favourite town on Lago di Como, and would be a good choice (it's only an hour from Milan by train). I wouldn't drop one night in Rome, as there is SO much to see. I wouldn't drop Florence and add a night anywhere else. ¶ Regarding Hotels, I'd suggest having a look at the "Italy" Guidebook, as there are LOTS of suggestions in the book. You could also check Trip Advisor for suggestions. ¶ Fortunately, each of your trips between locations will be relatively short via train. ¶ What time of year will the trip be taking place? Good luck with your planning!

thanks ken. we leave LA on Monday and land on tuesday so we have 9 nights IN italy, leaving at 8am on the last day (after the 9th night). is it worth it to go to Varenna for only 1 night which would make our itinerary: Rome 3 nights (all day tuesday, wednesday, thursday, 1/2 day friday) Florence 2 nights (1/2 day friday, all day saturday, 1/2 day sunday) Venice 2 nights (1/2 day sunday, all day monday, 1/2 day Tuesday) Varenna/como area 1 night (1/2 day Tuesday, most of the day Wednesday and try to return late afternoon/early evening to Milan) Milan 1 night near the airport to leave 8am on thursday. we are going November 1-11.

Dropping Como is a good idea. You are going to lose 1/2 day travel time between each location. Plus, you must find the hotel in the new city. Someone mentioned jet lag, which is a very real consideration. The day flying home is totally lost to that activity. We flew home from Milano last month on a 10:45 a.m. Delta flight and were at Malpensa by 8 a.m. The bus ride from the Stazione Centrale took approximately 40 minutes. Your home flight is a LONG day. Staying in Milano the last night is a good strategy because you could take the bus or train to Malpensa. We always stay at the Hotel Berna on Via Napo Torriano located about 400 metrs from the station. We spent a few days in Como and it was nice, but cannot compare to Florence. Save Como for the next trip and there will be a next trip because Italy will seduce you. Always assume that you will return. We spend a month there every summer. Buon viaggio, RB

We did the exact same trip you are planning except in reverse. It was my wife and our friends first time to Italy and we would not do anything different except stay longer. We flew into Milan, and immediately went to Varenna and spent night 1. In the AM went back to Milan, did the Last Supper and Duomo, back to train station and went to Venice where we spent night 2 and 3. Train to Florence and spent night 4,5, and 6. Train to Rome and spent nights 7,8, and 9. If I were to loose one night, it would be in Florence. But as most have said, it is all about your tastes. I personally, would take a four hour train ride to spend one hour at Lake Como, but that is just me. We are going back in May and taking our 18 year old graduating Senior with us. We are staying 13 nights this time and adding the Amalfi Coast, less time in Florence and more in Tuscany. The best part about Italy is, with a little research on what your interests and tastes are, you can't go wrong. The food, people, culture, architecture, art, shopping, and natural beauty are all amazing. Have fun.