Two 50 yr old HS girlfriends looking to plan trip between Milan (flying into MPX) on March 25th and departing from Florence on Easter Sunday April 5th. (I was in Italy last summer for a few weeks, but pretty much all south of Florence except Cinque Terre/Pisa/Lucca).
Here is what I am thinking ...but definitely hoping for realistic travel advice, as I am prone to try to do too much in too little time, which I know can wreck a trip!
We would like to budget about $70-120/night for 2 people on accommodations (apt, B&B or pensione), see some major sights (churches or famous art) but not spend too much time in museums, (which I did a lot of in the summer). Would also love any tips on easter week traditional activities in the Florence/Tuscany area. Has anyone heard of the Grassina Passion Play on Good Friday, near Florence?
Also, is a bike ride to wineries thru Chianti area a good idea in March or not really appropriate for the weather? Any ideas on that?
Tentative plan:
1) Arr Milan 2 pm (from Prague) and either spend 1 night there then go to Varenna X 2 nights, or just spend 2- 3 nights in Varenna and skip Milan. Don't need to see museums in Milan . Also , Not sure how great Lake Como is in cold weather- how long should we plan to stay and any tips on where to stay in Varenna?
2.) Leave Milan and head to either Lake Garda, Verona or Venice or some other stop between Milan and Venice with seeing. Stay just 2 nights in Venice, or outside venice and go in for a full day? Also, Is Murano glass island worth going to see?
3) Stay 5-6 nights in Florence, (where daughter is studying abroad this semester) and either use it as a base to see a few places in Tuscany, or briefly rent a car to spend at least 2 days of that time seeing some smaller towns like San Gimignano, Cortona, or Arezzo, or wherever. (Have been to Volterra, Sienna, Montepulciano, Pienza & Assisi but friend has not. Could do some of these again.)
4) I know it won't be as nice as in the summer, so hoping to hear from previous travelers who have been in spring.
5) I love less traveled /charming towns and am happy to rent a car to get to them and take any recommendations on a night or two out of town. (But don't want to spend more time getting places than actually being there. :()
6) If anyone knows of any interesting Easter related traditions in the Tuscany area that you could share it would be much appreciated!
Thanks in advance to anyone who can address any part of these issues!
Kathryn :)