Help with a 5-day itinerary

One option would be Varenna on Lake Como but since you're traveling in late October it might be too cool to enjoy the area and some of the restaurants may be closed. I'd keep it simple since you're traveling with a child. You could be in Venice or Florence in 3-4 hours or you could consider a smaller, compact Italian city like Verona and do a day trip or two from there. It depends on what most interests you and your family.

you have several options to go to within a few hours train ride. My suggestion is go to the library or bookstore and get Ricks Italy book. Read up on the destinations that are in the North, pick the one you like the best. A few hours of your time reading thru the book will be amply rewarded; you'll learn much more than you will by reading a few sentences posted by the avid travelers on this forum.

Two possibilities include train rides to either Venice (about 3 hours) for 3 or 4 nights OR Cinque Terre for 3 or 4 nights (4 hours). Given the time of year, though, fall, I would go with Venice! An easy train ride from Milano Centrale, a magical, amazing city, perhaps the most unique city in the world. We've done this twice, with no problems. One decision to make would be whether or not to rise early on Thursday and take a very early train back to Milan for your work, or head back to Milan Wednesday afternoon/evening, and be in town for your work on Thursday. In either case, Venice, to me, would be a much more exciting and memorable introduction to bella Italia than any of the weekend getaways near Milano. If you'd like some itinerary ideas, visit this blog: http://moltogentileitalia.blogspot.com. Buon viaggio!

I agree with Gio. Venice would be your best pick. A 7 yr old would also love the boat rides and is old enough to be impressed with how buildings are built right on the water. This location will be something he/she will always remember. Not saying how much mom & dad will love the romantic atmosphere in this magical city.

Hi Subhajyoti,
I've been thinking about your trip. As you're arriving in Milan on Sunday morning you'll want to take the bus to Milan's Central Train station. Since you only have a few days, I'd buy train tickets (at Milan Central station since your arrival time isn't definite) and travel to Rome on Sunday. It's about 4.5 hours and a good use of time when you're tired from the overnight flight. Spend Sunday and Monday night in Rome--on Tuesday you can take the train from Rome to Venice (about 5-8 hour train trip). You'll have Tuesday and Wednesday nights in Venice before you leave Thursday for Milan to attend your meeting on Friday. It is a lot of traveling for a short trip but will provide you with at least an overview of Rome and Venice--for another option with less distance to travel you could consider Verona (and Venice)-- as Verona has a really nice Roman amphitheater smaller than Rome's Colosseum but one that you can enjoy as well.

Hope I haven't complicated your trip planning!

Here's a link to the Italian Rail site so you can look at train schedules: Trenitalia

You have three full days, so I would pick one destination. Either Venice or Rome would be my choices as a first time visitor. Both are easily reached by train from Milan.

Thank you, all of you! You have been most kind. We finally decided on two places - Rome and Venice, other than Milan. Hopefully, we (and our seven year old) will be up to it!

I would go to Venice and add an overnight in Verona.

You really won't be able to visit BOTH Rome and Venice in 4 days. Remember, you will be jetlagged when you arrive, and you are likely to be tired too, even if you are able to get some sleep on the plane.

To give you an idea: From Milan airport it is about a 40 minute train ride to the city (Milano Nord Cardona Station), then you have to get from there to the Milano Centrale train station to get a train to either Venice or Rome. Or you can take a one-hour bus ride straight to Milano Centrale. There are hourly trains on Sunday to Rome (4.5 hours) and to Venice (2.5 - 3.5 hours).

I would go to the Milano Centrale station by bus, then straight on to Venice. Your child will probably be more intrigued by the riding on the canals than by walking in Rome, and Venice is a lot closer. You will have some daylight left to explore (Italy will be off DST), then get a good night's sleep and have 3 full days to explore and enjoy.

You can easily include Verona, either as a day trip from Venice, or as half day visit on Thursday. The train between Milan & Venice stops in Verona. The train station there has a left luggage facility. If you get an early train out of Venice, you will be able to see the best of Verona. Or use Saturday for a day trip there from Milan.

2 quick tips for Venice. [1] Buy the 72 hour vaporetto (water bus) passes and choose a hotel that is no more than a 5-10 minute walk from a vaporetto stop on the Grand Canal, preferably between Rialto and San Marco. This will allow you to get to most of the sights easily and drop in at your hotel during the day for a rest and/or any other needs. It will also make getting to/from the hotel with luggage easier, unless your budget includes the very expensive water taxis. . . and even if it does, wouldn't you rather spend those euros on a gondola ride?? [2] Download the 3 free Rick Steves audio tours to your MP3 and use them. They are excellent.

Agree with many posters. If you want to see a city then Venice--magical but expensive city. Easy train ride. If you want to go to the "country", rent a car and try any of the Lakes--Como, Lugano, Maggiore.
A small sleeper lake to try is Lake Iseo just east and a little north of Milano.
Have fun