Itenary and transportation help

Tulan, Although it should be possible, your proposed Itinerary looks a bit too rushed and slightly "erratic" (IMHO). A few comments.... > June 8: If you arrive at MXP at 12:30, you probably won't get to Rome until about supper time. You'll be tired and jet lagged so that will be about it for that day. > June 9: you'll still be jet lagged, so may not get all the touring done that you've planned. > June 10-14: that's a lot of driving and there are some "caveats" to keep in mind. I'll post my usual "boilerplate" on the subject of driving in Italy in a separate reply, as I won't have room here. > June 15: a day trip to the Cinque Terre is possible, but it will be a LONG day. Train is the best method. Use the Trenitalia website for times and other details. > June 16: again, a trip to Venice is possible but travel time will be ~2 hours each way. If you're satisfied with only a short glimpse of the city, then it's possible. Depending on when and how you purchase tickets, fare each way could be as much as €45 PP. On that route you can use either the high speed (300 kmH) FS / Trenitalia Freccia trains or the new Italo trains. You can save by pre-purchasing tickets OR you can buy at staffed ticket windows or from the Kiosks at the station. NOTE that there's more than one station in each city, so you have to specify the correct station when buying tickets. In Florence you'll be using Firenze S.M. Novella and in Venice it will be Venezia Santa Lucia. I may be in Florence at about the same time, but still working on my plans. Happy travels!

Tulan - part 2.... It's important to note that for driving in Italy, each driver must have the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These are valid for one year, and easily obtained at any CAA/AAA office (two Passport-sized photos required, which in some cases is offered at the issuing office). Failure to produce an IDP if requested can result in fines on the spot! Have a look at This Website for more detailed information on I.D.P's and driving in Italy. You may also want to have a look at some of the other posts here concerning the dreaded Zona Traffico Limitato areas that are becoming increasingly prevalent in many Italian towns & cities ( especially Florence!). EACH PASS through one of the automated Cameras will result in a €100+ ticket! There's also the issue of parking tickets and the possibility of having "The Boot" applied, and high fuel costs, tolls, etc. A GPS along with a good Map would also be prudent. Be sure to give some thought to the question of CDW and theft insurance. In Italy, buying CDW from the rental firm is usually compulsory, so coverage provided by credit cards will not apply. Check the Car Rental section in Europe Through The Back Door for further information. You could also download the "Car Rental" PDF Guide from Gemut. Cheers!

Anything is doable. Is it reasonable? something I would do, etc., that is whole another question. My first recommendation would have been an open jaw ticket but that has to be mute at this point. Second, it is crazy to do a one day round trip to Venice and then go to Milan a day later. Way, way too much travel time. Either do to Milan and do a day trip to Venice or go to Venice for a day or two and return to Milan. I am never a big fan of major travel on the day of departure. What if there is a unexpected train strike or a weather problem. Probability may be low but still a possibility. Cirque terra is an area and not a single place and does lend itself to a day trip.

If you don't have flights booked, and it's not a whole lot cheaper, I'd suggest either arriving in Rome and departing from Venice (or even Milan). Open jaw flights like this give you more time on the ground because of unnecessary back tracking, especially since I note you are not doing site seeing in Milan (and I don't disagree.) However, that being said, if you must fly into Milan do Venice first. It's much closer to Milan, and is a nice way to begin your first trip to Italy IMO. Spend 2 nights, since first night won't count for much, as you'll be jet lagged. Then Florence. 2-3 nights. Pick up the CAR on your way out, possibly at the train station to explore Tuscany etc Then Cinque Terre 1-2 nights Then Rome. Maybe drop off the CAR @ Rome airport. Take train into Rome
Enjoy Rome This is the big cahoona! As much time as possible. If at all possible, depart from Rome, if not take a direct train to Milano or Venice for flight home.

The reasons I am advising picking up car on your way OUT of Florence and BEFORE Rome is that having a car in either of these two cities is an absolute nightmare. There are ZTLs (No Car Zones) which result in very heavy fines which you WILL pay because they can be added to your credit card via the car rental. This looks like a wonderful trip! Lucky you!

You can also do the trip I described in reverse, I.e.,. fly into Rome and head to Florence, then Venice and out of Milan.

The reason we are backtracking to milan is because that is the only airport we could get our FREE TICKETS FOR ALL 6 PEOPLE from boston to milan in the month JUNE. we cannot do anything after june since everyone is busy so that had to be milan. There were no flights to Rome. THat was our first option. Obviously Venice issue is very understandable and everyone told the same thing. But more people wants to go then leave it out for next time some time. What about our tuscany and driving part does that sound like a nice liesurely affair with out mini van. Please advice also what are the best train station to get out of milan and get into rome. we are currently thinking milan central station to rome termini. NO IDEA ABOUT FLORENCE AT ALL. leaving florence is a risk on the same day as our flight from milan but we figured the train ride would be short so there should not be an issue if we leave early enought.

Just one comment: driving in Italy is not relaxing. At least, in my experience.

we are not planning to have car in the cities just the country side. just pick up and drop off is in the city and that is it. I heard driving through the country side is the best thing to do while in tuscanyy

Personally - this itinerary looks crazy-rushed, not fun and not relaxing. You're going to be seeing a whole lot more of the highways than of real sights. But then that's just me. I would rather spend at LEAST 2 nights at any destination. 2 nights only gives me 1 full day of sightseeing and even THAT'S way too rushed. I understand completely about Milan and free tix...you do what you have to do. But don't do all of this running around and moving and packing and loading and unloading. Pick a couple of good spots and see them. Pick Rome, Venice, Sorrento and forget CT and Florence. You'll be happy you did.

I'm in the camp of those who think you're planning on too much driving. It's not clear to me if you are thinking of using just one town in Tuscany as a base (good idea); but if so, I think finding one near Siena and visiting there as a daytrip is a good idea. If you did that, though, I'd cut out Lucca and Pisa. You'll be surprised at how long it can take to go short distances due to narrow, winding roads. However, if you choose a town strategically enough; S. Gimignano, e.g., you can make each day's driving less arduous. Btw, you can use www.viamichelin.com to check driving times; but be aware that you need to add up to 25% to their estimates. I also recommend cutting out the Cinque Terre. I'm not a fan; but even if I were, I'd give the same advice. You'll spend too much time getting to and from; and, in June, it will be mobbed. Add the time to Florence.
You can pm me, if you have more questions about the Tuscany segment. We were there for 10 days in May, our 3rd or 4th time, and plan a return in 2014.

So as for driving once again we are driving on country side only not in rome or florance WE are planning a stay at a villa near siena. so most of the driving is about a hour and half at the most . So after reading everything we might just drop venice. and spend an extra day in florence or rome. Would that work.

I can't imagine visiting italy and NOT seeing Venice. I concur that the best bet by far is to train directly to Venice from the Milan airport. Do the water bus on the Grand Canal in the late afternoon and the concerts in the piazza San Marco that first evening. What a way to begin your holiday!!! Spend the next Mornign doing the Duomo/ Bridge of sighs, etc and then in the afternoon take a water taxi (divided among six the fare is a good deal) to the island of Burano for an unforgettablle tour of the lagoon and an even more memorable meal at Il Gatto Nero. Remember to ask the taxi boat driver to come pick you up. Take an early train the next day to Rome, spend three nights(2 full days plus half on day of arrival) in Rome; then early train to Florence to pick up car to drive to villa. Forget the Cinque Terre: Too far..too little time. Same for Lucca. Divide the rest of the time between your Tuscany drives and leave two full days for Florence. BUT I concur strongly with the advice about depending on the train to get you to Milan on time for your flight the same day you are leaving. Leave Florence mid afternoon the day before, do a quick walk=by the main core of Milan that evening; or take a late afternoon train to Milan and enjoy a nice meal on your last night in Italy. You don't want to run around too much. Part of the experience of renting a villa is the dolce far niente. Relax. The owner might be able to find a local who will cook and serve a fabulous dinner for you. Ask. We did this in Umbria and ended up having the servce almost every day. Sooooooo relaxing. I speak with the experience of having planned and accompanied eight 2 week tours of Italy for university students and faculty, plus I've lived in Florence and Rome. (BTW,I also used to live on Main street in Andover 20 years ago.}
Buon viaggio!

here is our revised itenary . Hope it is not too rushed day 1 arrive milan - take train to rome day 2 - rome all day day 3 - rome till evening. Drive to sienna town are @ villa day 4 - sinea - san gimignano and area day 5 - cirque terre drive day 6 - pisa lucca day 7 - chianti region day 8 - florence (train from siena and back) day 9 - arrezo and cortana day 10 - val D orcia
day 11 - drive to milan - drop car at airport take flight at 2:30m pm.

we decided to leave venice , milan , nice and all that for next trip i guess. we are not big concert or museums people . We more in to landmarks and attraction Cirque terre looks interesting and we have couple who really wants to do it so we are going there plus it will nice change to go coastal one day. I personally dont mind driving at all since i drive from Boston to PA and back in a day without any effort. that is 14 hours. so driving is no problem. are u still in andover area or u live in italy. If local i could call and get some helpful information. I think this is probably goning to be a final deal. Hate missing venice but just no choice.

Tulan, Just another attempt to slow you down. If you do not have lodging yet, try borgorapale.it Very centrally located for what you want to do. Using this as a premise, here is what I would suggest: 1: Arrive,train Milan Centrale 15:00-Roma Termini 17:55 2: Rome...Colosseum/Forum 3: Rome...Vatican 4: Rental Van drive to Montepulciano (100mi) southern val d'orcia then on to Cortona (20mi) 5: Tuscany...San Gimignano (50mi) then Siena(30mi) 6: Tuscany/Umbria Arezzo (15mi) then Chianti (45mi)this is the northern Val d' Orcia 7: Tuscany... Florence (37mi) make sure you park outside the city center 8: Drive to Pisa (92mi) on to Lucca (11mi) drop car in La Spezia train into CT Stay CT 9: CT Ferry to 5 villages, hike trails 10:CT afternoon train La Spezia 14:40-Milan 17:50 Duomo evening stroll 11:Fly home This would work for accommodations in the area Have a fun time exploring one of my favorite areas
Gerri