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Advice On Order of Itinerary for Family of Four

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Hello - first thing this forum is extremely helpful. I was able to capitalize on some low fares to Milan (LIN) and will be traveling to Italy May 31 to June 8th. My wife and I have been to Italy before but we are excited to bring our two school age children. Here is what I would like some advice on. Our goal is to maximize time in our 2 locations and simplify logistics with the kids. Our options are

Arrive at LIN June 1 @ 1120 from there we will then get on a train to complete one of the following itineraries

Option One
- Fast train to Florence, in Florence for 3 nights and then leave for Monterosso al Mare in the late afternoon on Sat June 4th (maximizing the time in Florence)
- Monterosso for 3 nights, leaving in the later afternoon to catch a train back to Milan in the late afternoon of June 7th in attempt to maximize time in Monterosso our last day
- Staying at a hotel the night of June 7th to get our 1005 am flight out of LIN

Option Two
- Train from Milan to Monterosso (about 3.5 hours), arrive in Monterosso late afternoon/early evening
- 3 nights in Monterosso, depart for Florence in the late afternoon of Sat June 4th
- Florence for 3 nights, fast train back to LIN area in the late afternoon in attempt to maximize the day in Florence
- Staying at a hotel the night of June 7th to get our 1005 am flight out of LIN

Couple of notes
- We are ok with saving Milan itself for another trip
- I have confirmed that luggage storage at all hotels we are considering is an option
- Our day of arrival is going to be a long one which we know and are ok with
- When you boil it down, its all about either going Florence to Monterosso, or Monterosso to Florence
- I feel good about our options either way and there are good train options for either choice
- I am slightly edging towards Monterosso first then Florence as I think it will be easy to deal with kid jet lag as we hike and relax on the beach vs. sightseeing etc in Florence. Additionally, given the that Florence is larger city and has more transportation options, if something were to happen on the way back , I think I would have better luck sorting it out in Florence vs. Monterosso (more resources, airports etc.).
- For what it is worth, we are staying in the Oltrarno area of Florence

Thank you in advance for your considerations!

Posted by
274 posts

I agree with you - for me, the best way to combat jetlag is to be outside. You didn't mention whether your plans in Florence include museums and/or tours, but I assume just by nature of the two locations that you will by default be outside more in Monterosso than you will be in Florence. I think going to Monterosso first will be an easier start to your trip. Also, if something happens and you're delayed going to Italy, it will be less likely to screw up any museum reservations you make for Florence.

Sounds like a great trip - have fun!

Posted by
11199 posts

I agree with your inclination to do Monterosso first, for the well thought out reasons you state.

Posted by
35 posts

Thank you both for your reply. Very helpful to get some advice from others. In terms of plans in Florence, I am trying to strike a balance with just as much time for wandering and getting great food as tours and museums. Right now in terms of planned activities I am considering a timed entry to the Duomo with a climb to the top and family friendly bike tour of the city.

Let me know if you have any favorites in Florence - thanks again!

Posted by
8693 posts

1.) If any interest Pre book tickets to view DaVinci’s Last Supper in Milan.
2.) In Florence: pre book first ticket of the day in order to see David! Picnic in the Boboli Gardens, Wander about Mercato Centrale. I liked the Bargello Museum.
4.) Enjoying Cichetti and Italian Coffee
5.) Embrace a slower pace. At food markets DON’T grab the fruit or vegetables. Have the vendor do it for you.
6.) Get lost and enjoy hidden cafes, restaurants, artisan shops, church interiors you’ll find by meandering.
7.) Be ready to see graffiti and lots of cats.

Posted by
288 posts

I'll add to the suggestions to do Monterosso first. Last summer, my mom and her boyfriend flew into Milan to meet my husband and I (we had been in Italy for a couple weeks already). We hopped right on the direct train to Monterosso and got settled at the hotel and then immediately headed out to explore, walk around, get some food etc. We actually even ended up taking a quick dip into the sea that evening! I think overall they enjoyed being able to be outside and they seemed to adjust well! Florence was indeed our next stop and that was also super easy train-wise.

Posted by
35 posts

Thank you all - very helpful! One other quick question…. Baring no delays with our flight… we arrive LIN at 1120 and plan on taking a private transfer to Milan Centrele to get the direct train to Monterosso. How much time should I leave to clear customs, drive to the station, and board the train? We arrive on Wednesday June 1. Thank you!

Posted by
274 posts

Before you book a dome climb, I would recommend checking out some videos on YouTube. When you go through the dome it's VERY tight and VERY crowded and (depending on time of year) can be very hot. I'm claustrophobic so it's a hard pass for me. Instead, I climb either the campanile (bell tower) or Palazzo Vecchio. Those tend to be less crowded with the added benefit that you can see the dome in addition to the rest of Florence.

My other favorite "sights" in Florence are (in order): the Accademia (Michelangelo's David and Prisoners), Piazzale Michelangelo and nearby San Miniato, Mercato Centrale, Santa Croce and the attached leather workshop, window shopping on Via dei Tornabuoni, the Medici chapels in San Lorenzo, and the Bargello.

My favorite places for gelato are La Strega Nocciola and La Carraia, although you really can't go wrong with authentic gelato!

Posted by
11199 posts

Baring no delays with our flight… we arrive LIN at 1120 and plan on taking a private transfer to Milan Centrele to get the direct train to Monterosso. How much time should I leave to clear customs, drive to the station, and board the train?

Where does this flight originate?

If you are looking to take the 205PM ( 1405) train departure you should be fine, absent a severely delayed flight arrival.

Posted by
35 posts

Thank you Erin for the tips on Florence!

I’m terms of our flight we leave from DC (IAD) with a brief stop in Brussels and then onto LIN. Schedule landing is 1120. A train around 2pm is what I was looking at.

Posted by
11199 posts

Immigration ( i.e., passport control) will happen at BRU. This is the time consuming process.

When you arrive at LIN, you just walk out the 'Nothing to Declare" door ( assuming you have only your normal personal possessions) in order to 'clear customs'

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