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Itinerary Advice

Hello. I'm looking for some itinerary advice as well as any accommodation suggestions at our stops. We're travel to Italy for our honeymoon, and it'll be both my fiance and I's first trip of any kind to Europe. Thinking of a trip schedule as listed below, but certainly up for any suggested modifications or changes.

9/16: Arrive in Milan at 8:00 AM, Train to Venice
9/17: Venice (Hotel Doni? or Hotel Al Piave?)
9/18: Venice, travel to town in Florence/Tuscany Area (exact location still TBD, up for suggestions)
9/19: Tuscany
9/20: Tuscany
9/21: Tuscany
9/22: Travel to Cinque Terre
9/23: Cinque Terre
9/24: Cinque Terre
9/25: Travel to Milan late in day for morning flight
9/26: Return to US

Thanks!

Posted by
23666 posts

There is nothing wrong with your proposed schedule other than one day in Venice probably is too short and dealing with jet lag. Personally I would save it for the next trip. Venice is in the opposite direction of where you are heading which will add to your travel time. I would go to Florence for the first three nights and on to a Tuscany location (Technically Florence is in Tuscany). Assume your air tickets are bought, but if I was planning from the beginning I would go into Milan, then CT, Florence, Rome and home. Makes for efficient travel between locations.

Posted by
663 posts

Looks pretty good to me! If you are planning to use public transport (trains and busses) then Florence will be best as a hub for Tuscany. If you rent a car, stay in an agriturismo outside of Siena.

Congrats!

Posted by
1075 posts

What a wonderful honeymoon trip! Congratulations!
I like your itinerary but wonder if you've short changed Venice. It's a most remarkable, romantic city. Dancing under the moon in the Piazza San Marco with several orchestras playing for you - now that's romantic! Also, check out Hotel Ala, which is my favorite in Venice. Their web site usually has good special rates throughout the year.
Tuscany? So beautiful. Train or bus may be an option to renting a car, unless simply wandering through the countryside is your goal. Some places are not always car-friendly. Public transit in Italy really is excellent.
Cinque Terre? Great choice for long or short walks in a beautiful area of Italy that is pretty much free of commercialism. For me, though, I'd take a day from here and move it to Venice.
Your trip is the north of Italy. Next time head south to Rome, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. Check in with Rick's forum - you'll get lots of great suggestions for any trip to Italy!
Long, happy marriage!

Posted by
487 posts

I agree with Robert that i might add a day to Venice and take one from Cinque Terre. If flights are not already booked, it might also save you some time to fly into Venice and leave from Florence rather than traveling in and out of Milan. Then you could schedule your stops based on your arrivals and departures.

Posted by
15798 posts

Florence/Tuscany - if Renaissance art and architecture turn you on, stay in Florence and take a day trip by bus to see Siena. If not, then stay in Siena and take a day trip to Florence to see the highlights. They are all in easy walking distance of each other and the train/bus station, but Florence is a city. Siena has "atmosphere."

I also think you should spend one more full day in Venice, taking it from either Tuscany or the CT.

Posted by
25 posts

I agree with others that it would be good to add a day in Venice and shorten your stay in Cinque Terre. In Venice we have stayed at Hotel Doni and liked it a lot. We are staying there a second time in September. As far as Tuscany goes Florence could be a good choice. It is a beautiful city on its own with lots to see and there are connections to Siena, San Gimignano, and Orvieto which are all within a couple hours away by bus or train. Congrats on your upcoming marriage. Enjoy many happy years together.

Posted by
388 posts

The itinerary looks great. If you were to add en extra day to Venice you might take it from Tuscany. Otherwise, looks good.

Posted by
4152 posts

I think the itinerary is fine. I would suggest leaving Venice late in the afternoon to give yourself more time there as a single day really won't allow you to do or see much.

Donna

Posted by
37 posts

For a honeymoon I'd recommend both Siena and Lucca. Very romantic towns and plenty to do in each. We spent three nights in Florence and used our Firenze card nonstop on the museums. It was so hectic, but we saw a ton of amazing art. If you want to go to Florence then there's definitely enough to do there w/o staying anywhere else in Tuscany. Florence can be tough b/c if you just want to see David and climb the dome it doesn't make sense to get the Firenze card, but then of course you spend all of your day standing in line.

Just depends on what you're in to, but if you want a slower, more romantic visit to towns with easy access I'd say Siena and Lucca hands down. Two nights in each would be totally sufficient!

Posted by
3 posts

Looks good. When we went to Cinque Terre friends recommended staying in Rapallo. We stayed at Hotel Canali and really liked it. We were able to take ferry's to Portofino as well as Cinque Terre.