Itinerary Help, Please

Without checking specific logistics I would think that if you are set on the Bernina Express, then split your Como stay and overnight in St Moritz. Also, drop the single night in Cinque Terre and fly home from Milan.

Day 1-2 Rome
Day 3-7 Florence
Day 8-9 Venice or Cinque Terre
Day 10-11 Lake Como
Day 12 Bernina Express train (panoramic coaches) to St. Moritz (stay overnight)
Day 13-14 Lake Como
Day 15 Milan
Day 16 Fly home

Thank you, David for your kind reply. Cinque Terre is high on my list of things to see this trip, so I really don't want to give that up.

I would think then, if you are limited to that amount of time, it may be a choice of either Venice or the Cinque Terre (but give it 2 nights to allow for a full day walking).

I think 5 nights at Lake Como might be too long especially if the other person you are traveling with has never been to Italy. I would spend another day in Rome so they won't have have any regrets. I also would go to Venice if they have never been. I always regretted that I didn't go to Venice on my first trip. I was there this last September at loved it. I think we were fortunate to only have one cruise ship in port. I don't know if you stayed in the city on your last visit, but it really makes a difference. Venice is a different city in the early mornings and at night when all the tourists who stay outside the city or on cruise ships leave.

twg,

I've suggested a way you might be able to fit the Bernina Express into the Itinerary in your other thread. If that might work for you, post another note and I'll try to offer some suggestions for your overall Itinerary.

A few thoughts concerning this thread......

• If you want to visit Montalcino or other locations for wine, I'd suggest taking an organized day tour from Florence. I'd have to do some research on firms that offer that type of service, but there should be suggestions in the RS Italy 2016 guidebook (which you might find helpful to pack along for reference).
• For a visit to the Cinque Terre, I would suggest at least two nights (and possibly three). With a one night stay, you'd arrive there about mid-afternoon and only have a few hours and one evening to look around (hardly worth the effort). Keep in mind that there are five towns to explore, and that can be done easily in one day via the local trains (or boats, weather permitting). For travel in June, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND getting accommodations booked EARLY. Many of the businesses will be closed for the season now, but you should be able to get a reply if you start enquiring after about mid-January. I can suggest a few hotels in Monterosso if you're interested.
• It will make your ongoing trip to Como a bit easier if you stay in Monterosso, the most northerly of the C.T. towns. You could use a departure at 10:54, arriving Como S. Giovanni at 14:46 (one change at Milano Centrale - there are numerous other departures available, some with more changes and longer travel times).
• I haven't checked your hotel location in relation to the stations in Como. I used Como S. Giovanni in checking the travel times. You'll have to contact the hotel to determine the closest rail station. In any case, a Taxi from S. Giovanni shouldn't be too expensive.
• I wouldn't bother with Milan, as you simply don't have the time to fit it in. If you're not interested is seeing The Last Supper, I can't think of any compelling reason to go there.
• In line with the suggestions I posted in your other thread, I'd suggest using an outbound flight from Zürich, which provides a VERY accessible airport (it's only about a 10 minute train ride from the main station in Zürich).

Good luck with your planning!

Thank you! Right now I have a reservation for one night in Monterosso (Cinque Terre) at the Locanda il Maestrale. Villa Steno was booked and I have not heard back from Hotel Pasquale about their availability. I had originally thought about staying in Cinque Terre for 3 nights, but reading my old 2009 Rick Steves guidebook and advice on different forums, it sounded like it was too long. Would a day trip from Florence be better to Cinque Terre? The main thing I want to do in Cinque Terre is drink some wine and take in that beautiful view and see it from the water with some sort of ferry or boat trip.

If Cinque Terre would be better as a day trip, I also have a room reserved in Siena as a back up as I have read that Siena deserves more than a day trip and is magical at night.

I sure am having difficulty figuring out this itinerary. Nothing seems to be fitting together the way I want.

Would this work for you ??

Day 1-2 Rome
Day 3-6 Florence (4 nights only)
Day 7-8 Cinque Terre
Day 9-10 Venice
Day 11-13 Lake Como (3 nights only)
Day 14 Bernina Express train (panoramic coaches) to St. Moritz (stay overnight)
Day 15 Milan
Day 16 Fly home

Day 1-2 Rome
Day 3-6 Florence (4 nights only)
Day 7-8 Cinque Terre
Day 9-10 Venice
Day 11-13 Lake Como (3 nights only)
Day 14 Bernina Express train (panoramic coaches) to St. Moritz (stay overnight)
Day 15 Milan
Day 16 Fly home

Thanks David. I really appreciate your input. Where would we be when we catch the Bernina Express train? Getting there from Como is a big part of our problem. Also, I have 5 nights free in Florence at the Westin Excelsior and don't want to change those free nights.

You may want two nights in Cinque Terre to really enjoy it. We spent two nights in Monterosso and felt it was perfect! We arrived and spent the afternoon walking the old town, then enjoyed dinner at Cantina Di Miky. We sat outside on the waterfront. Absolutely delicious and beautiful. The next day we took the ferry to Riomaggiori then stopped at all the towns on our way back to Monterosso. So beautiful! Or you could do some hiking. But IMO I think 2 nights would be perfect if you can steal a day from your itinerary. Your plan looks great, you will have a wonderful time! Enjoy!

Thank you, pfresh3. Do you have recommendations for a place to stay in Cinque Terre? Also, I was just in Redding, California and loved it.

We stayed at Villa Steno. Very nice hotel, good location. We loved taking the ferry to each of the towns, absolutely beautiful! One of our favorite days in Italy was in Cinque Terre. We loved the view, sat in the sun, and enjoyed a gelato (or you could enjoy a glass of wine)! I'm glad you enjoyed Redding! I know what you mean about trip planning. It always feels like it won't come together and then it finally feels right! We enjoyed Ristorante Miky and Cantina di Miky. Both places are owned by the same family. It was our favorite meals of our trip. We we got home my niece was telling me they ate there twice on their honeymoon!

twg,

My suggestion would be to stay in Monterosso and keep your reservation at Locanda Il Maestrale, increasing that by at least one night if possible. It's located very close to Villa Steno, so very easy to reach (although I'd recommend a short Taxi ride from the station with luggage). Hotel Pasquale is also excellent, however as you now have a reservation it would be prudent to keep it as it can be difficult to get bookings in June.

Sorry I didn't realize your accommodation was locked in?
You can't amend you bookings? Or do you have to work around what you have? If so, what dates?