Italy Itinerary Review, spry 70+’s solo trip

During September the contemporary-craft exhibition, Homo Faber, will be running in Venice. It's at the Fondazione Cini on the island San Giorgio Maggiore.

The Correr is now offering what I think is a new tour of some recently restored rooms not open to people with regular entry tickets. You can find information on the Correr website.

In Rome you might like the Museo Boncompagni Ludovisi, which has earlier decorative arts and I believe some clothes displayed as well. It's fairly small and doesn't take terribly long to see. I'm not knowledgeable about antique furniture and clothes, but I think you'd be seeing primarily things from the 19th century and early 20th century. The museum's website might clarify that.

You might also enjoy the Palazzo Venezia's lovely interiors and the decorative arts on display--generally from earlier periods. That, however, is a large place.

Thanks acraven! I’ll take a look at your suggestions.

Just a couple of comments (maybe more tomorrow!):

Ca' Rezzonico- I really liked this museum but I am a Canaletto fan and they have 2 of his huge canvases there. I thought the cafe was neat and right on the canal so have a sit down if you have time. I used the City Mapper app to navigate here and found it helpful.

The Botanical Gardens in Padua are excellent if you have a chance on your free afternoon.

Lucca city wall walk - I wound up doing this early one morning. It just took maybe 30 minutes for the whole thing but it was so fun to see the locals out walking it, HS kids doing some kind of PE along there, really felt like I could see community.

Your plan from Orta San Giulio is good but I think we talked about that?

I want a report on those Michelangelo drawings!

Domus Aurea - I suspect youve read forum comments on getting tickets. Using CityMapper to get there, put in Domus Aurea Ingresso or it will not take you to the right place. (Insert eyeroll here…thank goodness I’m compulsively early.

I think your plan is wonderful!!

What a trip you've planned, Kathy! I'm so jealous!

A couple of things in Florence? While it doesn't have much for furnishings, we thought Museo San Marco was wonderful. Seeing Fra Angelico's frescoes adorning the monk's former cells, where they were originally painted almost 600 years ago during the rise of the Medici (Cosimo de' Medici had 2 personal cells here for private reflection and guests), was a whole different ballgame than had they been removed to an unrelated museum. The convent itself is an architectural treasure, and the museum contains other impressive works by Renaissance-era artists. It just felt so quintessentially Florentine, for lack of a better description! The b-ticket website says it's open on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month: 8.15 - 13.50 so you could do it on the 16th if interested?

If not up to climbing the duomo's dome (the interior of church is somewhat unremarkable otherwise) you might take a cab (or walk; we did) up to Piazzale Michelangelo for a lofty, panoramic view of the city, and a bit higher to Basilica San Miniato al Monte - a very old and important lady - and adjoining Porte Sante cemetery. The monks have a Gregorian service here as well.
https://sanminiatoalmonte.it/contatti/

Thanks for your invaluable experiences acraven, Pam and Kathy! I now have more to research and know I will work some into my itinerary.
Pam, yes we talked about Orta San Giulio to Florence and yes I took your good advice.
Mille Grazie!

EDIT: Italy research is so much more interesting than laundry. So far I changed my itinerary to incorporate several of your suggestions:
Venice: acraven, I added your suggestion to see Homo Faber. I'll be at San Giorgio Maggiore for the Gregorian chant service so it only makes sense to stay for the craft exhibit. Sounds more interesting than the Archeological Museum. Just have to watch my time to get to the Grand Canal before the vaporetti shut down for the regatta races.
Florence: Kathy, I had Museo San Marco on my weeded out list, so added it back on the itinerary. Since my joints are creaking today, I scratched off the Dome climb but will go to the Museum
Lucca: Pam can you give me a wake-up call so I can walk the wall at daybreak?

The Duomo became one of our favorite museums after visiting. We went when it first opened, so we had it to ourselves for awhile and could really get up close to see things. When we went in 2022, ticket sales for it were not at the museum, but I’m not sure if that has changed. I also wished I had done more research on Boboli Gardens because they are massive and we got worn out before we saw it all, especially after walking through the palace. The view from the top of the garden was sensational but that was the reward for climbing that hill!

Enjoy!

Well, "daybreak" was about 7 so I was back to the hotel about 745 to have coffee and breakfast. I think we had a later start that day, lol.