Itinerary help, please!

Posted by cobrutocao on 03/05/17 04:20 AM

My husband and I are flying into Milan on the morning of Sunday, 5/7, and out of Rome on Thursday, 5/18, hoping to hit Lake Como, Venice, Cinque Terre, and Florence/Tuscany in between. We're not planning on spending much time in Rome as we've both been before and are just using Milan as a starting point.

We're hoping to have a good mix of relaxing and sightseeing. We love hiking, architecture, and of course want to take in the culture and food and wine. Since we're new to most of Italy, we'd like to see both the major sights while also staying off the beaten path a bit, if possible.

I would very much appreciate any itinerary suggestions, must-sees, etc. Thank you!

Posted by Roberto da Firenze ⚜

San Francisco Bay Area (USA)

03/05/17 05:46 AM

16232 posts

You have a total is 11 nights on the ground.

The minimum I can come up for a rushed trip is 12 nights (see list below). You need to cut something else. I'll leave that to you.
Milan 1
Varenna 2
Venezia 2
Firenze/Tuscany 3
Cinque Terre 2
Rome 2

Posted by Frances

San Diego

03/05/17 05:50 AM

1540 posts

If you don't have the Rick Steves Italy book - you can get a copy from a local library.
Look to see what he recommends in each of the areas where you will be. He reviews many of the sites and things to do and gives stars ( or a triangle mark) on things that are recommended.
The more marks - the stronger the suggestion.....

I liked the guidebook because it gives many itinerary suggestions along with hours they are open, and cost to see each thing. This was a great way for me to plan. (for example in Milan to see the famous cemetery - gives which bus to take, where to catch the bus, how to buy a bus ticket etc.)
You can also see on this site under the Italy trips the places they are each day of the tour and things they see. This is a great place to start your planning.

Posted by cobrutocao OP

03/05/17 02:06 PM

2 posts

Thank you everyone for your help - it's much appreciated! We're of course open to cutting things, as we don't want to be rushed. I also realize it was silly to say "off the beaten path," as these are all very popular destinations. I suppose I was wondering if there are any less popular/smaller towns in the area that might be a good place to stay.

The guidebook is coming in the mail tomorrow!

Posted by juckles2

03/09/17 07:11 PM

89 posts

I would skip Milan and go straight to Varrena. Also, since you've been to Rome, I would only spend one night there and add that night to Venice.

Posted by retiredinVT

Vermont

03/10/17 02:33 AM

354 posts

Personally, the last thing I want to do after a trans-Atlantic flight is to find my way via train or bus to my final destination. On my first jet-lagged day, just let me check in to my hotel and walk around. For that reason, I would stay the first night in Milan. Or can you change your flight to arrive in Venice? Also not sure why you are flying out of Rome. Seems like you are going south unnecessarily. Fly into Milan or Venice and then out of Florence or Bologna or round trip into and out of Milan. That would save you more time in the places you have listed.
So for 11 nights I would suggest:
Milan 1 night
Lake Como 3 nights
Venice 3 nights
Florence/Tuscany 4

or if flying into Venice:
Venice 4 nights
Lake Como 3 nights
Florence 4 nights

I would skip CT. But if critical for you, take one night each from Lake Como and Venice. My travel style is to spend more time in a central location and if bored with that location, then do day trips.