Hi all, trying to work out 13 nights in Italy with family of 5 (3 older teenagers)in late May. We are flying into Milan and out of Rome. My current thinking:
arrive Milan (1 night), Venice (2), Florence (3), Sorrento(2), Rome(5). I would love to stay the night in Siena but not sure if wise to cut short Florence. I would also rather not cut Rome short(if arriving late day it is really only 3 full days anyway). We are planning on traveling by rail exclusively. Any thoughts, much appreciated.
Posted by
Bellevue, WA
257 posts
Yvonda, Sound good to me. You can take a day trip to Siena. It is only 1H15M by bus from Florence. Also, if you plan to go to Pempeii, you can stop by on you way back from Sorrento. It will save you some time this way.
Have a good trip!
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11364 posts
Don't cut Rome short, by all means! While I am a big fan of both Venice and Sorrento, I'd cut one or the other. Venice needs at least 3 nights, Sorrento is best with 4. (2 nights in a location really means only one full day of sightseeing.) If you have 4 in Sorrento, you can do Pompeii and Ercolano (1 day), Naples (1 day), Amalfi Coast/Amalfi Town (1 day) or substitute Capri for one day. If you only spend 2 nights in Sorrento, pick one. On the other hand, if you spend 3 nights in Venice, you can take the "extra" night and add it to Florence or go to Siena. Do you need to spend the night in Milan because of a late arrival? If you arrive early in the day, you can proceed directly to Venice or Florence as you desire and have that much extra time in your first location. Might even be able to do two nights Siena if you skip Sorrento and Milan in favor of Venice and Siena.
Posted by
Long Beach, CA, USA
359 posts
the schedule is doable of course in a perfect world you would have more time in Venice and Sorrento I personally would like more time in Florence especially if you want to day trip to Siena (by bus is best) depending on what time your flight is you could consider heading directly to Venice to add a night there I really like Milan and think it deserves to be seen but if you had to cut something it could be an option
no matter what you have to plan to return to Italy
Posted by
Park Ridge, IL
524 posts
fYvonda I agree with previous posters who suggested going directly to Venice from Milan by train. Milan is a business town and since the city was heavily bombed during WWII, the buildings date from 1950s. Perhaps one of the key ideas in considering your itinerary is to ask the kids. Not specific because you will never nail them down long enough for them to look at a guide book. At least that's the way mine are. Are they more city folks, art, history, or culture (hang around and get the feel of Italy)? My suggestion is schedule your itinerary to meet your family not what someone else says. Don't drag your kids to art museums they don't want to see. And which are very expensive. And no student discounts for non Italians! For instance, Florence is really for art history. Yes, it has other positives as well. Also, hotels are relatively expensive. You might consider staying in Siena and take the bus to Florence for a day trip. From Siena, you can rent a car or day tour to visit Tuscany. But only if you think your kids would like it. Wine tours (yes they can drink), charming small villages, etc. They can race each other up to the walled cities. I suggest you find active day trips for them to do. Check Viator.com for the cities you will be in. 1/2 day cooking class, walking tours, bike tour, etc so you can experience Italy not just see it. You can also do day trips from Florence. One to consider is Bike Tour with Wine Tasting. Continued below
Posted by
Park Ridge, IL
524 posts
Continued from Above Please also remember it takes time to get from one place to another, not just the train travel time. Plan at least 1/2 a day. Here's why: Get the teens out of bed!, pack, check out, get to train station, wait for train, train time, get to next hotel, check in, unpack, get oriented, etc. Get a May calendar and start plotting your current itinerary, add 1/2 day to travel time each time you move, now how much time do you have in each city? I forgot to ask if your 13 days included the day you leave for the US, your last day is a travel day home (pack, get to airport 1 hr, get to airport 3 hours in advance) etc. Hope your flight is midday. Otherwise you are up at the crack of dawn. Also your first day in Venice, you will all be bleary eyed. I call this a recovery day and do not expect to do too much. What are you doing for accommodations? You will need 2 hotel rooms. I would do this ASAP. Please let us know how your planning proceeds. Bobbie
Posted by
OP
Desmoines
78 posts
Thanks to all who have made suggestions! I'm rethinking the Sorrento trip and instead looking at Cinque Terre - primarily due to the further distance. Also, think we will see Duomo & Last Supper painting in Milan and then head out late 1st day we arrive so we can stay the night in Venice.
Good thoughts Bobbie about active pursuits. The girls are pretty good about museums (17,18,21) but everyone has their limits! I'm really torn about whether to stay in Florence and day trip to Siena or reverse it and stay in Siena - any thoughts? Also, anyone done an agriturisimo in Tuscany?