Hi, I am looking for some itinerary suggestions. I am traveling to Italy with 3 people for 21 days. We will be arriving to Milan (our first stop) on 2/25.
I am interested in seeing many of the bigger cities like Florence, Rome, Venic, Naples/Amalfi Coast. Since the weather is not going to be the best (cold) would you recommend Lake Como, Cinque Terre, and/or Tuscany?
This is our first trip to Italy and we are also thinking about visiting Greece as well (~5-6 days).
Thank you
Are you flying home from Milan as well?
We have visited Italy five times during March and have found it a very comfortable time of year. A littly chilly at times but no humidity and clear blue skies. When visiting Tuscany pick a town to stay and rent a car to visit the surrounding region. A town like Montepulciano would be ideal. Close to many of the hill towns (Cortona, Orvieto, even Assisi is nearby ) that you would want to visit during your stay. It will also be a great place to slow down and relax.
Hello!
Milan is probably still chilly by February/March and going to Lake Como is quite tricky as the weather might not be very cooperative. I suggest that you head over to Tuscany, aside from Florence there's a lot of wonderful cities to see like Sienna, Pisa and if you have time, you can even go to Lucca. Italy is an enchanting country as a whole, so it's difficult to put an itinerary together and not feel bad about the cities that you left behind. Unfortunately, you have to choose between taking your sweet time and seeing a few cities vs. going through all the best spots but having little time to enjoy them.
Rome will most likely be warmer and it's sure to keep you busy. It has a lot of historic sites and you would want to really enjoy them instead of just taking pictures. Make sure you visit the Pantheon, Colosseo, the Vatican (but if you want to see the museums, be prepared to line up and wait), Roman Forum and the Trevi Fountain, which is now finally open again!
If you decide to spend your time in the South, then you have to visit the Amalfi Coast, it's easily one of the most beautiful areas in Italy and it will be a shame if you miss it. Naples have the pizza so forget the diet and make the most out of your stay!
Hope this helps. Have fun in Italy!
We were in Italy this last March, 4th through 14th. Florence was uncharacteristically windy to start our 5 nights there but after it calmed down, temps were in the low 50's during the day and around 40 at night. Crisp. Then we went down to Salerno and the Amalfi Coast, where it was about 5-10 degrees warmer overall. Our day touring Pompei it almost hit 60, and the day before we sat at an outside café in Amalfi--it was their first day open for the season, high 50's but a warming sun. Very nice.
Best thing about our time in Italy was--at least during the weekdays--the absence of tourists. Still got more crowded than I'd like on the weekends, however.
Tuscany is always a possibility. We went for a weekend last February and though we bundled up, enjoyed walking and wine tasting and eating as always.
If you want a seaside/water front experience, the Amalfi Coast might be more open-for-business and a tad warmer.
If you are going to Greece as well, you probably only have time for Florence, Rome, Venice and the Amalfi Coast plus maybe a few nights in a Tuscan hill town. Naples is easily done as a day trip from Sorrento, which is an excellent headquarters for you on the A.C.
You really should fly into Rome and work your way south to north through your 3 weeks toward Milan. Naples/Amalfi Coast is about 150-200 miles south of Rome, but easily gotten to by train. I'd suggest skipping the C/T, as it's somewhat like Amalfi.
The end of March is when we usually go, and it's April when the snows in the mountains melt.
No need to wait in line for museums, pre-book the most popular ones (Accademia in Firenze, Vatican Museums, Colosseum/Forum and Galleria Borghese in Roma) online and show your vouchers (will be emailed to you within minutes of purchase) at the ticket window with the line that says something like, "Advance Tickets" or "Reservations".
I would leave Greece for another trip, it's a lot of transit for a few days' stay. Spend those 5-6 nights in Italy.
Dress properly & you will get to see Italy without the huge summer crowds.
I wouldn't include Lake Como or Cinque Terre at that time of year, but Sorrento/Amalfi Coast would be worthwhile.
2/25 Arrive Milan - 2nts
2/27 Train to Verona - 2nts
2/29 Train to Venice - 4nts
3/04 Train to Bologna - 2nts
3/06 Train to Florence - 4nts
3/10 Train to Sorrento - 3nts
3/13 Train to Rome - 4nts
3/17 Depart Rome
sg,
At that time of year, I'd suggest skipping Lago di Como and the Cinque Terre. Both areas will be "chilly" and especially in the C.T. many of the businesses will likely still be closed for the season (the usual seasonal opening is about 1 April). If the weather is miserable, there won't be much to see or do there anyway.
IF you decide to go to the Amalfi Coast, be sure to allow enough time. I'd recommend, based on my trips, to stay at least 4 nights, 5 is better. With 4 FULL days you have one day to go to Naples, one day for Pompeii and possibly Herculaneum, a day trip to Amalfi Town by bus, stopping in Positano, and a day for relaxing in Sorrento, or even a repeat trip to Positano if the weather is nice. Your could also go to Capri.
David in Brisbane, I am curious as to why you recommended Milan and Verona to this traveler who is asking about other places? What did you do in Milan that merits two nights on a first trip to Italy? Why Verona in March? Personally I like Milan for a short stay, but it is not "first trip" material to me, and I am not a fan of Verona except when the opera is in season.
First of all, don't worry about the weather. It won't be freezing cold, you are as likely to have bright sunshine as rain and there will be days when you'll wander around in shirtsleeves. Going to Greece means flying. If 21 days, includes 2 days to get to Europe and back home, then a day to fly to Greece and 5 days there leaves you with less than 2 weeks in Italy. While it's quite easy to plan Venice/Florence/Rome in that time frame, adding the Amalfi Coast will mean cutting a lot, since it's a fairly long journey there.
Compared with the rest of your places, Milan is very "skippable." If you land early in the day, you can easily take the train or bus from the airport into Milan and take a high-speed train to Verona or Venice.
Verona has lots of interesting sights, but if you're jetlagged and short on sleep, I wouldn't recommend stopping for a 1-nighter, but rather go to Venice, the best place to easily enjoy and soak up the atmosphere without stress. 3 nights minimum.
From there, a fast train takes you to Florence. If you love Renaissance art and architecture, 3 days (4 nights) is the minimum here. If that's not a big thing for your group, you can see the highlights in a day. With Florence as a base you can day trip to other Tuscan towns by train or bus. The popular ones are Siena, Lucca and San Gimignano. So add days for that, if needed. An alternative is to stay in Siena for several nights and day trip to Florence (highlights) and other towns, or to stay in an agriturismo and explore by rental car. On a first visit, I wouldn't recommend driving, but people do it and manage well.
After that, Rome or the Amalfi Coast, depending on where you can fly home or to Greece. If Naples airport is an option, I'd say Rome then Amalfi Coast and out of Naples. Otherwise, go first to the AC, and end in Rome, as it's always best to end your trip near your departure airport.
Sorrento is an excellent base for the area. It is well connected by local train to Naples and Pompeii and by bus to the AC (Ravello, Positano). From Florence, fast train to Naples, then the local train to Sorrento. Plan at least 4 nights here - otherwise it isn't worth the time it takes to get there and back.
Rome needs a minimum of 3 full days (4 nights).
I agree with David..... Perhaps land in Milan, immediately train or fly south to Rome or Naples and work your way back north. Milan's cathedral and Last Supper can easily be seen in 1 day. Tuscany is probably warm enough; Venice may be cool and rainy.
Enjoy!
Traylaparks,
Yes, we are leaving to fly home from Milan as well.
Be sure to get advance tickets to see The Last Supper! Very hard to get as walk-in.
