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Help with plans for Italy!

Posted by (Minneapolis, MN, USA) on

I really need help as I keep changing my mind on our itinerary and I need to make flights. This is a May 15-28 trip.

My daughter is studying abroad in Rome. I will be meeting her in Paris and we will be together there for a week in May. We are then meeting my other daughter and husband in Italy. They will fly into Pisa or Milan depending on what we decide as our beginning point. This is where the confusion begins and the more I read the harder it is to make a decision.

We will have 12 nights in Italy. Our trip will end with 5 nights in Rome - set in stone to pick up daughter's belongings. The other 7 nights seem like too few for all we want to do so I know we just have to pick a few areas - but what areas?

At first I was set on that they would fly into Pisa and we would do the Cinque Terre area and Florence/Tuscany based on Rick's book and the ease of the Pisa airport to meet up with each other. Then I read about Venice and Lake Como and wonder if I'm making the right choice. And then I start wondering if we should do southern Italy instead along the Amafi coast. Of course, another concern is meeting up with each other easily - us from Paris and the others from US.

My daughter that is over there now is fine with whatever we decide. She loves Rome and can't wait to show it off. The rest of us have never been to Italy.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

We do not plan on renting a car and will use public transportation.

Posted by
5 posts

For what it's worth - it would almost seem a crime to be in Italy and not see Venice.

Posted by
32353 posts

Laura,

As you've got such a short time, I'd suggest flying into Milan / MXP. It's a larger airport than Pisa so you'll have a greater selection of flights to choose from.

With only seven days to work with and starting in Milan, I'd probably spend three days in Florence, two days in the Cinque Terre and two days in Siena. That would minimize your travel times fairly well.

I'd leave the Amalfi Coast for a future visit.

Happy travels!

Posted by
668 posts

Laura

Fly into Venice 2-1/2 days( you will experience some jet lag- rest for about 2 hours then go)Train to Florence 3.5 hrs - 2.5 days - Siena a day trip(bus) and then train to Pisa to meet daughter at station 1 day. Could stay in Pisa overnight and head to Rome by train next day.

You will have hit 3 majors in your 13 days and I would leave the Amalfi for another trip as I am sure you will be back.

This is our 3rd trip this May.

Posted by
689 posts

Laura,

Go with your first thoughts... those are usually the ones most important to you. Spend your 7 nights in Tuscany. Between Florence and the CT you will fill your time easily even without a car.

Safe Travels!

Posted by
90 posts

Well the airport has been decided my daughter and husband will be flying into to Pisa due to a jump in airfare in Venice. Trying to decide whether to do the Cinque Terre or Florence area first. Any ideas?

Also, my other daughter and I will be meeting them - would it be better to fly or take the train to Pisa?

Posted by
39 posts

I would recommend Venice, Florence, and Rome. You can easily do day trips to Cinque Terre and Siena, or San Gimignano or Pisa from Florence. Trains are easy to get between the three major cities and run often.

I've put together some notes from our last trip which was about the same number of days (10-11) that might be helpful. If you send me your email I will be happy to forward it to you. You won't go wrong whatever you decide to do.

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