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Itinerary advice

Posted by on

My husband and I are planning our first trip to Italy this fall. I am trying not to pack too much into our visit, but would love to have an experienced gut-check on the itinerary I have come up with so far:

Day 1: arrive in Venice
Day 2: explore Venice
Day 3: travel to Ortesei by car (visiting Sirmione en route), stay 4 nights
Day 4: explore Ortesei and surrounding areas
Day 5: explore eastern Dolomites (Lago di Braies, Cortina d'Ampezzo...)
Day 6: explore Alpe di Siusi
Day 7: drive to Verona to drop off car and visit, then train to Florence for 5 nights
Day 8: explore Florence
Day 9: day trip to Gulf of Poets (train to La Spezia?)
Day 10: explore Florence
Day 11: day trip to Siena (probably a group tour)
Day 12: travel to by train to Varenna for 3 nights and explore
Day 13: explore Lake Como
Day 14: continue to explore, or trip on Bernina Express to St Moritz
Day 15: travel by train to Milan and explore
Day 16: travel home

Do any of parts of this itinerary seem unreasonable? My husband and I are active travelers and plan to do a lot of hiking/walking, but I don't want us to be run ragged.

Any additional recommendations in the areas in which we are traveling?

I appreciate any help I can get with these plans!

Posted by
28462 posts

You'll have just one full day in Venice (I don't count arrival days). I take it that you've been there before? Otherwise, I think that's way too short.

I believe doing the Bernina Express from Varenna will have you on trains for at least 11 hours.

Posted by
11700 posts

I would drop Bernita Express as poster above noted time required.
Sirmione? An overnight in Saló may be a nicer overnight stop.
Gulf of Poets, visit lovely Portovenere instead of La Spezia.

Posted by
2 posts

Thanks so much, all.

For Gulf of Poets, I was actually thinking of Tellaro-Lerici-San Terenzo. I was just wondering if the best way there was to take the train to La Spezia. I can see that isn't clear from what I posted! :)

Regarding the Bernina Express: yes, I can see that would be a long time on the train when I could spend that time doing other things. I would love to do it someday, but perhaps this isn't the right trip for it. Sigh.

Posted by
4105 posts

Yes, Florence- La Spezia by train then bus to Lerici. Beautiful area.

Posted by
15798 posts

Siena is easy to do on your own. Take the bus rather than the train (it's more convenient in Siena).

As others said, Venice needs more time.

Posted by
905 posts

If you plan on doing the Bernina from Varenna as a day trip I don't think that this can be readily accomplished. Especially to St. Moritz.

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