Appropriate time for destinations?

You don't sound too enthusiastic about Milano, maybe you can cut it down to one night. Great happy hour munchies, one of the fashion capitals of the world, interesting nightlife - without even setting foot inside a church or museum. The grounds of Castello Sforzesco - great for chilling out before a long train trip.

Open to suggestions --- for what ??? How to reduce it or how to expand it? I certainly would not add to it. It is rushed since we (personally) are never fans of two night stays. If you are trying to hit a lot of places with a quick drive by, then I would say you doing a good job. If you are changing trains in Milan, stay for one night. Lots of decent hotels around the Centrale train station.

Not sure how two nights in Orbetello ended up in your itinerary, but I guess it will give you an opportunity to visit the Mt. Argentario peninsula, which is beautiful. Besides the park, to me the best town is Porto Santo Stefano, which would make a better base than Orbetello, especially if you intend to take a day trip to the Giglio island. I presume you'll rent a car to visit that area, otherwise you won't be able to fully appreciate the Mt. Argentario. Also nearby, in the interior, there is the village of Capalbio that is worth a visit. If you don't have a car, maybe you can go to Porto Santo Stefano and visit Giglio. You won't need a car for the island.
I'm not fond of Milan at all. I've been there many times (often because I was flying out of MXP or LIN. But never more than one night. If you must depart from Milan (in your shoes I would have flown to Paris, though) you could probably do better if you limit your stay to one night (the night before your departure to Paris).
You could add that night to Verona, so that you have a chance to visit lake Garda, or add it to Mt. Argentario area, so that you have more time to visit the Maremma (Capalbio, Pitigliano, etc.) or Giglio.

Zoe is so smart. Add the day to Venice. If you are still short on time, you can go early from Venice to Verona, check your stuff at the train station, spend the day sightseeing, then take an evening train to Milan. I think Verona is best in the evening, but it also depends on what time of year. If you do the day trip, that does save checking in/out of one more hotel.

I emphasized early because it's slow going in Venice. You may need to allow an hour to get to the train. Once in Verona, the old town center with most of the attractions is a short bus ride from the station.

Well guess my intention for my itinerary is to see as much as possible without rushing too much. My sister lives in Paris and is meeting me in Rome. I'm not that excited about Milano. Was wondering if we should add the day to Florence or Rome in anyone's opinion? Thing is we are planning the trip together. I just wanted a more educated opinion on the best way to spend the time. I've heard that Florence deserves more time then you think. And people have told me not to spend too much time in Venice. So all this advice I would rather it come from a forum like this. The beach trip is just to cleanse our cultural palate between Rome and Florence for relaxing and quite fun no major site seeing.

What about flying from Venice to Paris? Then you can cut Milan out completely. it's a long train ride vs a pretty cheap flight. Then you would have two nights to add somewhere. If that is the case, you could add a night to Venice/Verona and a night to Florence.

I like the term "cleansing the cultural palate". I might steal that.

Thanks for the thoughts Kristen. Milano train first class tickets already brought. And steal whatever you want thats what this place is for;-) But like Zoe said its such a different city then all the rest we could do a lot of things that aren't available in any other place we will be. We are fashionistas, but I have heard of how expensive it is in Milano. And to be there on the last leg of the trip I think I will cut it down abit. I know I will be shopping in Florence!!!

When I was in Milan I took a 1/2 day bus and walking tour of Milan and it included seeing the Last Supper, La Scala Opera House, brief visit to the Duomo and walking visit to the Sforzesco Castle.
I thought it was great. (I used Viators.com)
Then we took the city bus the big Cimitero Monumentale. It was absolutely amazing !! we spent a couple of hours there (bus directions are in Rick Steves Italy book - you get on the bus near the Duomo.)
I also recommend going to the roof of the Duomo - a spectacular view of Milan!!

I would like to know exactly what "too much time in Venice" means. If it was my itinerary I would skip Verona and spend all three days in Venice. It is such a fantastic place to stay, really unique. Tour St. Mark's Cathedral, tour the Doges Palace, go to the top of the clock tower, eat pizza and gelato whenever you want from any of a plethora of sidewalk cafes, splurge on a gondola ride, wander until you are lost, but not really (impossible) take the vaporetto from start to finish and back again, and spend a day taking a vaporetto to Murano and Burano Islands -- both picturesque and fun, with a great boat ride to get there (not too far). Take in an evening at the opera (which surprisingly to me was a highlight from my entire vacation -- there is nothing like Italian opera in the city of Venice). Stay in old Venice, because it is a really different place after the cruisers and day-trippers leave. You and your sister would have a wonderful time!

Jan B

I know all of us in this office would prefer more time in Venice and only one night Milan on this length of trip. I just can't agree with the anonymous "less Venice" suggestion.

This is why I'm so happy that I joined this forum! I have since changed my itinerary. Rome 5 nights (still can't seem to stay away from the beach) Sperlonga 2 nights, Florence 4 nights, Venice 3 nights. Now my question to everyone is what is the probability of leaving Venice and catching my train ride same day? My train takes off at 4 pm from the Milano P Garibaldi. I have only booked my Rome accomidations at this time. And the Milan train to Paris.

Or am I pushing my luck? I got insurance on the train tickets so I'm assuming I could change them to the next day? I'm trying to spend longer time in less places to enjoy my time there. I'm trying!:-)

Now my question to everyone is what is the probability of leaving Venice and catching my train ride same day? My train takes off at 4 pm from the Milano P Garibaldi.

Use the trenitalia.com website to find the train schedules. Note: even when using the site in English, you need to enter the place names in Italian - Venezia, not Venice, for example. The names work on autofill with a drop-down list, so it's not too hard. In Venice, you need the Venezia St. Lucia station.

I believe that the train from Venice arrives at Milan Centrale and that the metro connects the two stations. But with luggage, it may be easier to take a taxi. Unless you are staying at a hotel very near the train station, you will have to allow ample time to get there. Water taxis are very expensive, the vaporetto is slow, and walking is even slower.

I get nervous about travel connections, so I would be uncomfortable without ample lead time for unhappy circumstances, unlikely as they are. For that reason, I would probably choose to take a late afternoon train to Milan. That would also give you several hours to sightsee before leaving. If you take a same-day early train, you will have to check your luggage at the train station (if available at either or both stations) to be able to wander about before departure.

Fasionista Alert: From the first Saturday in July until stock runs out (about a month later) you can find clothing and almost anything else on sale ("Saldi") all over Italy. Discounts range from 20-60% off. This applies to stores, not outdoor markets, and the giant houses (Fendi, Armani) don't normally give very much off. But you can find bargains.

Thanx Zoe! There goes the budget!!!!! :-)

Also thank you Chani that does make lots of sense we will have to be up and out to take the first train out of Venice so there will be no worry. And like you said be able to sightsee abit before our final train to Paris.