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Advice for Italy Itinerary In November

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Hello Travel Experts, I am headed to Italy in November for 13 days with my husband (we are in our 30's) and in-laws (Active and Healthy 60's) (they are only staying for the first seven days). This is everyone's first time to Italy. We picked November to avoid the crowds! I am hoping to gain some insight into an Itinerary, balanced with site seeing, culturally enriching experiences and lots of fantastic food and wine. We have done some research and understand we can't do everything in one trip but are still looking for advice. A lot of debate about the following topics and places:

Renting a car or traveling by train (we understand we need to obtain a license before leaving the US)
Touring the Amalfi Coast
Cinque Terre

Lake Como

White Truffle Festival
Hotels or finding Air BNB

We are flying in and out of Milan (because it was the cheapest flight) Rome, Florence, and Venice are a standard for first-timers, but we think we have a little more time to spend a few other places. If you have a moment to help, it would be much appreciated. We hope to return the favor one day as traveling seems to be our favorite hobby as newlyweds.

Posted by
4836 posts

You could not do all on your list in 13 days, nor is the weather ideal for some of them, so first decide how much time your group wants for Venice, Florence, and Rome (From Milan, you could visit those in that order by train--and that would easily fill 13 days with at least one night in Milan at the end--but you do not have to visit all on this trip). Once that decision is made, we can help determine if anything else can be added.
It is especially important to nail down that first week with the inlaws. For example, if they wanted to see the Lakes and Venice, then after they depart, you could shoot down to Florence and Rome with your remaining week. The absolute biggest mistake people make is rushing, so give the places that you do choose ample time and do not worry about what you are "missing."

Enjoy!
Hotels provide some support, but apartment rental has its pluses, so really up to you!

Posted by
11680 posts

The Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre are definitely in off-season and in November, not worth the time it takes to get there. The weather is undependable and so many places are closed out-of-season. Spend your time in Rome and north. You cannot go wrong with Venice, Florence, Rome, but as your in-laws only have 7 days (is that 8 nights, I hope?), stick to two places with them then two more places after they depart.

You could, on landing in Milan as it is likely early in the morning, go immediately to Rome and spend day 4 nights there. Then move to Venice for 3 nights and (again assuming your in laws have 8 nights) they can go to Milan for the day/night before departure and you can go on to Alba, perhaps, then Florence for your last week. I recommend no more than two places to lay your head for each 7 nights of travel with the exception of a final night in Milan before departing flight.

No cars needed. You will enjoy this trip much more if you avoid the hassle of a car. Then plan a trip in the future to include some milder weather on the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre and time wandering in Tuscany with a car.

I would stick with hotels and B&Bs this trip. Apartment rentals take more time and can be a hassle for short stays. Unless you plan to cook, why bother when you are only there for 3 or 4 nights? In fact our rule of thumb is apartments only when we stay 4 nights or longer in location. Plus, in a Hotel or B&B you will get help with things you don’t understand like local transportation and making restaurant reservations.

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