Hi,
Would be making a trip from 2nd - 10th. Here's what we've planned. Would be flying into Milan, and out from Rome.
I know the rule of thumb is to have 3 days each to explore each city, but we're trying to squeeze to cover as much as possible, as we have to fly out by the 10th.
Would this be a feasible plan?
2- Milan
3- Venice
4- Venice
5- Florence
6- Florence
7- Rome
8- Rome
9- Rome
10- Rome (Night Flight to London)
Thanks!
looks feasible to me but I would pick either Milan or Venice and just do three cities for the trip instead of 4.
I am not familiar with flight times from Singapore to Europe. IMF you depart on Jan. 2d, do you also arrive on Jan. 2d? Since you are flying westward that is probably the case, but just wanted to make sure.
Depending on the time of arrival in Milan, you could take the train straight to Venice instead of spending the first night in Milan. It is an easy trip of 2 3/4 hours and if tired you could sleep without worry on the train---Venezia Santa Lucia is the end station, so you need not worry about missing your stop. This would give you three nights and a full two days in Venice.
For maximum enjoyment, I would spend a night in Milan and maybe even spend another night there to get comfortable with your 12 hour jet lag.
Skip Venice; Florence is much nicer, especially in January when there won't be many tourists. Stay three or four nights there and take a day trip to either Lucca or Sienna to see the real Italian towns.
Then to Rome and home.
Venice is a tourist trap, Florence is the pinnacle of the Renaissance. Rome has both the Roman Ruins and the Renaissance art, and is a very large city.
Good luck.
Venice is stunning when not stuffed with tourists, early mornings and evenings/nights are beautiful.
If you are flying first- or business class, you won't be as net-lagged as the anchovies in coach (like me), so I don't know how much jetlag will affect you. Each of the four cities you listed is different from the others; an overnight in Milano and a morning of sightseeing would be different than your time in the other cities.
Have a great trip.
epng, am I right that you are flying in from London, or are the others right that you are arriving in Milan from Singapore?
If I am right, I'd certainly try to get on a train straight to Venice. Seeing it in the off-season will be magical.
I guess it shows that different people see different places differently.
I go to Italy at least once every year and try to get to Venice at least once, as many as 4 times a year. I've only been to Florence for any significant amount of time 3 times.
I don't go to Florence because of all the tourists, so that every thing I want to see has long queues. I know where to go in Venice to be on my own, even in peak season, and I can go into churches with fabulous art for the coins I leave in the box, nearly on my own, whenever I want.
Florence has narrow pavements, and long queues.
See how different people can see the same thing differently?
Our first trip to Italy was a late December one, so I have a couple of relevant points for you to consider. We agreed that Venice was magical. It was, however, VERY cold. There was actually snow falling on our departure day. The gondoliers were nowhere to be seen - - probably enjoying some warm weather holiday - - so no gondola ride. These are not necessarily reasons to scratch Venice, but you should take them into consideration in your planning. Be sure to bring adequate winter clothing. Depending on your arrival time in Milan, I'd lean toward getting the train to Venice, with no time in Milan. It's nowhere near as attractive as your other destinations. Any chance of flying into Venice?
I've been to Rome twice in February in recent years. The first time, I had pleasant weather, even a couple of days when I didn't need a jacket. The second time it snowed, which happens about once in a generation. Both times were wonderful. Florence may be the coldest of the lot, something about it's topography. I agree, go directly to Venice from Milan, either same day or next morning, depending on your arrival time. Venice is wonderful, especially during low tourist season.
Thanks for all your inputs. I've read many travel sites as well as what you guys have suggested to skip Milan. But since I fly into Milan, I thought, why not explore the city for a day since i've never been there before.
I'll fly into Milan from Berlin, and arrive about 0940HRS.
I'll depart from Rome to London in the evening about 1900HRS (?) -Havent booked the return ticket yet.
2- Milan (Arrive milan morning, explore city)
3- Venice(Depart for venice early morning)
4- Venice
5- Florence(Depart for Florence early morning)
6- Florence
7- Rome(Depart for Rome late morning/early afternoon)
8- Rome
9- Rome
10- Rome (Night Flight to London)
Any suggestions?
