Hey all,
This is our second trip to Italy. First trip was Rome, Florence, Venice. We are flying round trip to Milan as its significantly cheaper that way. This trip is next month, Middle of May. We have a wedding to attend at Castello di Montignano in Massa Martana and felt we could have spent more time in Florence so that is the basis for our itinerary. I will also preface this by saying we are busy travelers that enjoy cramming as much reasonably into the little time we get. Our last trip to Europe consisted of 13 nights split between 5 countries with 10 cities in total. My wife and I are in our late 20s and our interests are mainly historic sites, food, craft beer (not really a priority on this trip), anything decidedly unique to an area. We loved Rome and didn't care for Venice.
We get into Milan on a Thursday morning and figure that it will take us till noon to get to Milano Centrale. Looking at probable lunch near the train station, then train to Cinque Terre. Haven't booked a place yet (will do soon, we are easy to please on that regard). Thursday Evening somewhere in Cinque Terre, maybe get more than one town in if we can. Dinner somewhere. Stay that night.
Friday morning a little more Cinque Terre, probably a stroll on a beach.
Friday noonish head toward Florence. Possibly a stop on the way to check out another town (Recommendations?) Probable Dinner along the way. Sleep in Florence.
Saturday all day Florence. We've done Uffizi and Accademia as well as walked around a good bit in our short stay before. Looking for more ideas to spend the day. More leisure and soak in the city really. Food is usually our highest priority on trips like this.
Sunday Morning leave Florence headed toward the general area of the wedding at castello di montignano. Would like to make a stop or two along the way but understand that public transportation is lacking on Sundays? We are going to be public transport only on this trip. So any potential stops would need access by that method on a Sunday. Any Recommendations?
Sunday Evening and Night I would like to stay in a town somewhat near Terni station so that I can easily get to the wedding location by noon on Monday. Was thinking Maybe Todi, but again not sure about transportation in Umbria. I know there is a website that details trains and busses for the region, but I have found it rather confusing and Im not confident in my times and connections for travel here. Any help with that is appreciated.
Monday morning I need to figure out what time I can tell the wedding location we will arrive at the Massa Martana station so they can pick us up to go to Castello di Montignano for the wedding. Would like it to be around Noon. Wedding that evening and staying at Castello di Montignano that night.
Tuesday Morning I need to get to Milan ASAP. It looks like I can get from Terni to Milan (via high speed train through Rome) fairly easily, inexpensively, and swiftly. But again need helping figuring out reasonable times I can get from Castello di Montignano to Terni to book the train to Milan (as this should be done ahead of time due to ticket prices).
We were lucky enough to get tickets for the last supper at 16:30 that Tuesday, So need to be up there with enough time to get to that. Then evening in Milan to fly back Wednesday noontime.
Goal would be to get recommendations on quick, reasonable stops between Cinque Terre and Florence, Place in Umbria to stay Sunday night and help navigating from Florence to this place (hopefully with a quick, reasonable stop on the way) on a Sunday with public transport, then navigating from the wedding venue to Terni on Monday morning.
Any other general tips? comments? thoughts? are welcome. I know we are trying to do a lot, that's how we like to travel. If we short change anything, no big deal, we can always make it a point to spend more time there next time if we feel we need to. Thanks in advance!