We're in the planning for 2 weeks in the northern part of Italy and are looking for advice on whether it seems do-able from seasoned Italy travelers. We've been to Rome and Florence before so no need to visit there but instead want to include Venice, Tuscany, CT, and Como in late Sept. - early October.
We'll fly in and out of Milan for starters and plan for rail travel and rent a car to travel through Tuscany. Here's the tentative agenda in the order we would travel via train:
First 1 1/2-2 days in Milan, 2 days in Venice, 3 days in Tuscany, 2-3 days in CT, and 2 days in Como before flying home through Milan.
Though we plan to see museums and cathedrals, we are really suckers for scenery, traveling through the countryside and small villages and that is why we chose this as our itinerary. We'd appreciate thoughts on where best to stay for our base for 3 days in Tuscany. Sienna?
Posted by
San Diego
1540 posts
In the north of Italy for small towns that I love, I would suggest Lucca, Lake Orta, Lake Como and all the towns around the lake (home based in Varenna)
Further east - Padua, Bologna, Udine
I'm sure others wil have some suggestions to - I really LOVE the small towns.
Happy Travels.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
368 posts
I would leave Milan for last as you will be flying home from there. On arrival head straight for Lake Como or Venice. Better to book open jaw (multi-city option) flying into Venice & out of Milan to minimize backtracking.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15806 posts
I don't know how easy it is to get to the airport from Como, so I like the idea of spending your last nights in Milan. I've gone straight to Venice more than once from Malpensa, but not after a trans-Atlantic flight. If Como is closer, that sounds like a good start. Easy to get to Milan from the CT by train.
If you want fall colors, do check out when it starts. I suspect that early October is too early.
Posted by
Washington DC
28971 posts
It appears that Como is about 2 hours from Milan-Malpensa, whereas Milano Centrale is 41 minutes away (both by train).
Posted by
Atlanta
5412 posts
Agree with Marika. If possible fly into Venice and out of Milan. If you must fly into and out of Milan, go straight to Lake Como, it's a great place to get over jet lag and get acclimated. Then go to Venice. Spend last nights in Milan to facilitate flying home.