Milan or PIsa for a single traveler?

There is nothing to do in Pisa besides see the Campo di Miracoli (the piazza where the tower is). Outside of that, Pisa is sort of a ghetto.

How about Venice? Slightly shorter trip than to Pisa and wonderful place to introduce you to Italy. Then just 2 hours on a eurostar to Florence.

i've heard venice is really a tourist trap crawling with vendors trying to sell you something. while travelling alone that sounds a bit uncomfortable of a city to roam. wouldnt it be less travel to stay in milan and go straight to florence? any other inbetween Milan and Florence cities that could be an option? Anyone think Milan for 3 nights would be a good thing?

If you are thinking of going to Pisa to see the tower lean, it may not be worth it. There are a lot of towers that lean in Italy (but not as dramatically as Pisa's). But the inside and outside of Pisa's church and baptistry are phenominal, especially if you like stone architectural carving.

Joie,
Ron has a good suggestion: Venice. While parts are "touristy" we found it to be quite charming. We got out of the pIazza San Marco area a lot, wandering the city. A single woman at our B&B was spending a week there and was quite entranced. It is very safe, one of the safest cities in the world. No cars! You can get there by late-afternoon/early-evening on the 1st from Malpensa. A train departs at 1313, change in Centrale to a Frecciabianca, arrive 1710 at Santa Lucia, 50 euros 1st class, 38 euros 2nd class. You might even catch an earlier train if you carry-on baggage and don't have to wait. That gives you two full days. Check out Rick Steves' Venice itinerary suggestions, but also be bold and just take long walks, "get lost," and enjoy! BTW: We spent no more money in Venice than anywhere else. B&B 85 euros per night (less for single?) and there are some decent restaurants with reasonable prices.

Maybe one night in Milan and then off to Venice? Its a long day to get to Milan from Seattle and maybe getting a room there on the 1st (and spending the afternoon carefully walking around the city) would be what I might consider. Coming from Seattle, I usually try and get out and walk the first afternoon til around 8 or so and then crash and for me, that ends the jet lag but the last few hours I am not worth much. Though Milan has its beauty etc, for me, one afternoon and part of the next day would be plenty and I would move on to Venice afterward. (Or maybe some other place semi compatible geographically like Padua, Ravenna or Bologna.) Venice along the main tourist lines is chaotic by day but between 6pm and 10am I find it actually fairly charming especially if you get off the main walkway from Rialto Bridge to St Marks. I am a 30 something 6'6" ex logger turned computer guy from Montana so I can't really advise on it being single girl friendly... For some reason... no one bothers me... lol... I will say I am far more comfortable anywhere in Italy than you would be in say Belltown or Pioneer Square in Seattle.

Venice is perfectly safe and fine for a single woman, and if I'm traveling alone, I'd rather stay in Venice than Milan which is completely urban - unless there's something you really, really want to see in Milan (eg. Da Vinci's Last Supper?). There are quieter, slightly-less-touristy places in Venice, and plenty to see. Walk the city early in the morning before the cruise ship crowds and daytrippers arrive, and you'll see the 'working city'. More sights to see than Pisa. You could do Pisa & Lucca in a couple of days, but it's your first time in Italy, I'd say go to Venice! There are smaller B&B's in Venice with cheaper rooms, if you don't mind not having an attached bathroom.

I agree with Mike. Stay in Milan one night to recover and adjust, then go to Venice for 2 nights. Finding an actual hotel within your budget may be a challenge, and I would get on that asap (your going in less than a month - yay!). Depending on the exchange rate, it may be slightly over your budget, but check out Dorsoduro 461. DH and I will be staying there in May for 95 euros per night, but maybe it will be a bit cheaper for a single. I'm using points for our stay in Milan at the Best Western Felice Casati, but it looks like a single room will be 85 euros (prepaid) or 99 euros (paid on arrival). Good luck and happy travels!

Venice is one of the safest and most beautiful places on the planet. It's also pricey, but if you're okay with a bathroom down the hall rather than in your room, you should be able to find lodging in your price range. You need to act quickly since this is coming up so soon.

Ok - i am considering Venice now :) I emailed Dorosduro for rates - it looks like a cute B&B!! Another question to you all.....
As I will be arriving at the Malpensa airport, do i catch a train to Venice there, or do I have to go into Milan to catch a train to Venice? (Im hoping for a fast train) Joie :)

I would agree that you should go to Venice! It is a nice area, and while it is touristy, I wouldn't say it was more touristy than Rome or Florence. Sure, if you take the gondolasthat's touristy, but you can find plenty to do there. Spend an afternoon visiting the outer islands (Murano, Burano and Torcello, they're amazing!) and just have some fun exploring! During the day, I felt completely fine as a woman and explored on my own comfortably. I sat in a park with a bunch of local families and enjoyed the sun and atmosphere for a few hours. Late at night is when I felt a little less comfortable on my own. Mostly due to the tough layout of the city (very confusing, have a map!) and small streets, and the fact that it was pretty dark. I only went out when I was with my friends, but that was late, long after dinner. It is a nice, friendly city. There may be other cities between Milan and Florence that are options, but I think it is worth it to head over to Venice, that it is your best option!

First choice, Venice. Second choice, Venice. Third choice, Venice. Go straight there. You can catch your breath on the train. Venice S.L. is the last stop, so you can't miss it. Get there and walk down the steps from the station to the Grand Canal. Look both ways and fall in love. Then use your 36 hour or 72 hour pass to climb aboard a vaporetto number one and enjoy Rick's Grand Canal cruise as far as Accademia, hop off and stroll to your B&B. No bridges until you have dropped your bag. Then stroll, watch the sun go down, enjoy a bit of late evening dinner or chichetti crawl, and fall into bed. Up the next morning to see the town before all the mainland tourists arrive, over to the mandatory stuff (use RS for the secret way to get into San Marco easier) and wander, wander, wander. Tell me you don't love it. - OR - go to Pisa, enjoy the architecture of the square of Miracles and go somewhere else for 2 and a half days...

If you do head to Venice direct, I would leave Seattle with a good map in hand. After 16-18 hours of travel, it would be very helpful to have one in hand when you step off the train in Venice. Early mornings in Venice are stuff of pure magic. Enjoy them!

If you're spending a few days in Florence, you can easily make a half-day trip by train to Pisa to check out the tower! Getting to Venice from Malpensa airport: trains to Venice leave from Milano Centrale station, so you need to get to the station from the airport - there's an airport bus that takes you there. I think the train journey takes two-and-a-half hours, check schedules at www.trenitalia.com. If you're traveling as a single woman, I definitely suggest reading the "women traveling solo" article on this same website: click on the Plan Your Trip tab on the top bar, then click on Travel Tips, and look for the article under "planning your trip".