I am looking for assistance with an itinerary. I am traveling with my two teens, 15 and 17. June 11-25th. This is the first time we will be visiting Italy and I do not know much about the area. I am flying in and out of Milan and will be in Italy for 14 days and 13 nights. The first night I will stay in Milan and then I need to go down to Florence for three nights because there is a concert my son wants to see there. After that, I am having a hard time planning my itinerary. I want to make sure that we visit Venice, the dolomites, hopefully a lake, and have the opportunity to take a train into Switzerland for a night or for the day. I was considering extending Florence for one more night to take a day trip into Tuscany, but not sure if that is too much or which place to go. The last night will need to be in Milan because we have a plane out the following morning. I would love to have 3 to 4 nights in the dolomites and have the opportunity to take a tram, do some hiking and just experience a more peaceful part of Italy. I am not sure how to fit all of these pieces into this itinerary. I was planning on taking a train to Florence then a train to Venice and then renting a car for the dolomite leg of the trip. But can’t seem to figure out the logistics of where we should go first or what area of the dolomites to go to. I was originally hoping to go to the Aosta Valley but now I’ve decided it’s likely too far. Anyone have any creative ideas or ways to possibly switch to Aosta instead of the dolomites considering we will also be in Venice and need to fly out of Milan. Additionally, we are on a tight budget... Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your time.
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
1964 posts
We are currently in Italy for 5 weeks. Flying in and out of Milan. I think you are trying to do too much in only 2 weeks. 13 nights gives you 12 full days. Traveling from place to place takes up time. Have you made hotel reservations? It’s getting late if you mean this June.
Do you have any good guidebooks? I used lonely planet, Michelin green guide, Rick Steves and rough guides.
I hope the more experienced people on this forum can give more concrete advice.
Perhaps consider Florence, Venice and the Dolomites . I don’t see how you can comfortably fit in a lake and Switzerland.
Posted by
Ontario Canada
708 posts
Take the train to Florence from Milan (several fast trains per day) 3 days- 1 day take a bus to Siena
Fast Train to Venice - 3 days.
Fast train to Bolzano - 3 hours no changes - then you could take a bus up to Castelrotto(Dolomites)( great area for Hiking or Ortise 3 days then make your way back to Milan. Depending on which mode of transportation you choose after Venice(you can rent cars at the Venice airport and could drive up to the Dolomites - stop at Lake Garda on the way back to Milan drop the car at the airport.
If you drive you will need an international drivers license ( your local AAA will help you with that).
Have fun- just got back from Italy with our granddaughter and daughter.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8014 posts
You could save/gain a night by traveling onward by train from Milan to Florence the day you arrive
Unless you have lots you want tio. see/do in Milan one night in Milan at end might he sufficient
Shelley’s advice above is solid
13 nights
Florence 4 nights and include one day trip
Venice 3 nights
Bolzano 3 nights
Lake Garda 2 nights
Milan 1 night
All easily done by train
If this is next month you’ll need to lock down lodging ASAP
Posted by
OP
13 posts
Thank you everyone for your help.
How challenging is it to get to the train station in Milan (to take a train to florence) from the airport. We will be coming in at 11:30am with three stop overs, so not sure if that travel will be too much in one day?
Posted by
OP
13 posts
Also, any way to go to Aosta Valley instead of the Dolomites if we are also going to Venice?
Any thoughts on the difference between these two locations?
Thank you!
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8014 posts
It’s not challenging at all and you would have to take train from MXP to Milano Centrale anyway if you stay in Milan
The airport is about an hour west of Milan
Another option would be to go to Stresa on Lake Maggiore from the airport ( direct bus) and spend jet lag days there
You can take a train or ferry to Switzerland for the day from there
Then work your way to Florence-Venice-Bolzano-Milan
Lake Como is also an option from the airport but it’s been jam packed crowded and I doubt you’ll find lodging available at this late date
Aosta Valley is just out of the way from your other destinations