Milan & Tuscany itinerary help

Unless u require a car for the way betw milan and tuscany why not train it rd trip and pick up a car in or nr tuscany? It would be way more relaxing and enjoyable. We did this some yrs ago. If u decide on Milan then the last supper req advance ticketing, visit la scala opera, see the milan cathedral are a few biggies.

At the end of trip before flying out, I'd say just plan to see more of Milan on your remaining day. Maybe I'm overly cautious, but I wouldn't want the stress of going far afield (say, Como or Turin, or someplace on the Riviera like San Remo) and having to get back to Milan the night before flying home.

OTOH, if you want to juggle a shorter day returning from Montecatini and are keen to see one of the other locations outside of Milan, you could do it at that point, then still spend your last day seeing sights in Milan.

What route are you taking to Montecatini? You could drive a different route returning, to maximize the variety of your sights & experiences.

The rental is included in my package, planning to take coastal route to montecatini, might take different route going back,any suggestions on where to go and see dole in montecatini?

Malpensa to Montecatini is a 4 hour drive (all freeway). There is the potential of fog in the Po Valley at that time of the year, especially in the evenings and mornings. Consider that the driver may be jet lagged and drowsy after a transoceanic overnight flight. So consider all of that before renting a car upon arrival. There is also the option of covering the distance from Malpensa to Florence by train (under 3 hours including the train connection at Milano Centrale). Once in Florence you can rent a car in Florence or even taking the train to Montecatini (under one hour).
Whether you need a car while in Montecatini or not depends on what you want to visit. In November I recommend visiting cities and towns since the countryside is somewhat dismal winter landscape.
From Montecatini you will not need a car (and actually it would be a hassle to use it) to go to Tuscany's provincial capitals:
Florence (Firenze)
Lucca and Pisa
Pistoia
Arezzo
Siena
All of the above localities would be excellent choices for day trips. They are all much easier to reach by train from Montecatini. Don't forget the above cities all have severe traffic and parking restrictions (only residents with permit may drive into those city centers)
The Cinque Terre are also within easy reach by train, however November is not a good time to visit them.
I can see needing a car to visit nearby Vinci (the village where Leonardo Da Vinci was born) or other small villages further afield like San Gimignano or Volterra.
Based on the above, I think you would do better without a car on a winter trip, or maybe you could rent one for a day just to visit Vinci and other nearby small villages.
If you spend 2 nights in Milan you can have a full day there to visit Milan. If you spend a night only, take an early train so that you have at least one afternoon to see at least the cathedral and the Galleria (and maybe a museum). The Last Supper requires reservations, in case you want to visit.

I see that the car is included in your package, so you are stuck with it. In any case don't use it to visit the cities I mentioned. Just leave it at your hotel in Montecatini while you take your day trips. Take the train instead, which is faster, more convenient and you don't have to deal with parking and traffic. Florence metro area, which includes Pistoia, Prato, and also Montecatini is very congested at rush hour.
Use the car only for the small villages I mentioned (Vinci, SAN Gimignano, Volterra, etc). Maybe Siena can be coupled with the above villages, so you you could drive there as well. However be aware of the traffic restrictions in Siena. Park at the Fortezza parking near the stadium in Siena (follow the signs to STADIO often symbolized by a soccer ball on road signs).
Driving inside Milan is a hassle as well (like driving in Manhattan), and traffic is horrible, so stay close to Malpensa on your last night before flying back.

I appreciate all the help, can u tell me how to get a reservation for the last supper,thank!!

I appreciate all the help, can u tell me how to get a reservation for the last supper,thank!!

The best way, perhaps the only way at this point, to see Last Supper is to take the Best of Milan walking tour with Walks of Italy. Excellent 4 hour walk through best sites in Milan, ending with Duomo rooftop, then buy yourself a 2 euro ticket to visit the inside of the Duomo. If you leave Milan without seeing this incredible church you will have truly missed the best of Milan's sites, one of the best cathedrals in Europe.

What are your thoughts on me ditching the rental and just getting a eurorail 5 day pass for Italy , once again thanks for all the help!

A rail pass would be far more expensive than regular point-to-point tickets, I believe. Your trips will be comparatively short, and Italian rail fares are not as expensive as some others. Also, for your visits to small towns you may sometimes find that it works out better to take a bus.

I agree with acraven, buses or trains are fine but no rail pass is needed, nor is one economical.

You must be doing the same tour I am from gate 1 travel

If you doing the 8 day fly and drive then yes!,we fly out November 16th

I am going out Nov 29 but same fly and drive. Staying in same town. Planning on driving to the hotel on arrival then coast first full day. Florescent 2nd day. Lucca 3rd. Driving wine tours and Siena 4th and 5th Back to Milan for last day

Similar itinerary here,day 1 drive to montecatini and relax there, day 2 Pisa,Lucca,,day 3 Florence,day 4 Siena, San giamano, day 5 back to Milan , will try to fit in a wine tasting and truffles along the way, have fun!

Depending how we feel,might squeeze in Luca and Pisa on way to montecatini day 1

Capari1, we have the same G1 tour 3rd week of Jan 2017. What was your "verdict" experience? Same Q to SharonMazdra if she sees this... Thanks, Jen

It was a great trip our first time in Italy ,all I have to say is be prepared for jaw dropping sites in every town/city you visit.about our itinerary, we knew we couldn't see everything in such a short time ,so we just wanted to get a feel for Tuscan life,and saw what we could in that time, day1 got our rental ( after a 2 hour wait ) I suggest you get your stuff and head straight there ( lower level terminal 1 arrivals) drove straight to montecatini checked in and just relaxed that evening, day 2 Luca and Pisa , day 3 San miniato( they had a truffle festival) awsome!!, also did San gimignano,day 4 Florence , day 5 headed black to Milano we wanted an extra day in Milano , can't wait to go again, if I gave specific questions feel free to ask!!, safe trip!!