We are planning a cruise for Sept., 2017, leaving Venice. We'd like to spend a few days before the cruise to get over jet lag and to see more of Italy. Should we fly into Milan and see Como and elsewhere before going to Venice? The cruise returns to Venice after 10 days at sea. We're not sure if we want to see more of Italy after the cruise as we might be tired and ready to go home by then. We are retired, and this is our first trip to Italy. We don't have enough time to go to the Amalfi coast as I'd like to, but maybe someday. Ideas?
Posted by
Green Bay
21370 posts
Is the boat going to be parked in Venice for a day or two after you board? Otherwise I'd spend it in Venice.
Posted by
OP
13 posts
It will be docked there for 2 nights. The day after our arrival includes a guided tour of Venice in the morning. Our afternoon is free to explore on our own and the ship leaves the next morning.
Posted by
Green Bay
21370 posts
Como would be good. If flying into Milan (the cheapest flights land there), Verona and Padua are also on the way.
Posted by
OP
13 posts
Thanks Sam. I'll look into those!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
41 posts
I would fly into Florence and spend a couple days there and then train to Venice a day before your cruise. Florence is a not to be missed destination in Italy as well as Venice. Enjoy your wonderful trip.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8371 posts
I agree with Pat about flying into Florence--or Pisa and taking the 1 hour train to Florence. Pisa's the larger airport.
Florence is not to be missed.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
It would be helpful to mention what ports the cruise visits. Flying into Milan and spending time on Lake Como to deal with any jet lag is a good idea. You might like to spend extra time in Rome after the cruise and fly home from there.
Posted by
OP
13 posts
I do like the idea of seeing Florence before the cruise. We sail from Venice to Athens with stops n the Balkans and Greek islands. Thanks for the tip that Pisa has a larger airport than Florence. Thanks everyone! This is starting to sound really wonderful!
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
I can't imagine going all the way to Italy and spend only 10 or 12 days...especially if I was retired and no work commitments to force me back home. If you're tired then hang around the hotel and rest for a day. Choose a hotel that has a garden area like the Pensione Accademia and just rest and recuperate for a while...then set our for more travels.
Posted by
Washington DC
28477 posts
Have a heart, Tim. Even retired people can have commitments (family care, volunteer work, etc.). And as we get older we may have new health or financial limitations that weren't present in our 40's.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Have a heart??? ha - you older folks need to live a little. After all, you've put in years of working, raising kids, paying bills...enjoy your time off now!
But honestly "getting" to the continent is your biggest expenditure - plane fare is the same price if you stay 2 days or 2 months. Make the most of your airfare.
Posted by
Green Bay
21370 posts
Don't forget about the per diem for boarding the dog! We have to get home before we go broke.
Posted by
Washington DC
28477 posts
I am (unhappily) cat-less for that very reason, plus out of fairness to the animal. At the moment I am healthy, and I'm taking long trips because I can. Not everyone is so lucky.
Posted by
OP
13 posts
We are considering a different cruise that lasts 28 days. We have the time, but my husband is a reluctant traveler-- he would rather spend the money on other things. Still in negotiations here! At least I got him to agree to go.
Posted by
OP
13 posts
Husband wants to sell the house, buy a motor home and live on the road as long as we are physically able. He says we should see the US because there are plenty of amazing things here. I am more of a home body, but love all the history in Europe. I read history for fun! As I said negotiations are in progress!
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Can you make a recording of the "negotiations" and post them online ?
It sounds as though you need to be taking an annual spring trip to Europe and a fall trip at home.
Posted by
OP
13 posts
David, the negotiations do not take place all at once, but piecemeal. Planting seeds. I 'd love to take a yearly trip to Europe and a yearly road trip at home. We already take a lot of road trips in the US with our van, mostly to visit family. He doesn't want to take care of the house anymore and I don't want to live on the road 24/7/365. Our house is paid for, but there are not enough funds to buy the kind of motor home he wants plus a condo, even if we sell our house. He sees travel to Europe as just eating into his money for a motor home. I could deal with a condo (though not totally happily), so he wouldn't have maintenance to do. But it would cost more than what our house would sell for. Plus the monthly maintenance fees are like $400-500 a month! We do not have unlimited funds. Sorry for the rant. I guess I just needed to vent.
Posted by
Lower Slower Delaware, USA
66 posts
sp,
We just did a neat trip to Italy back in May.
We flew into Venice, stayed for 4 nights, hopped on a RCL cruise from Venice to Croatia, Turkey & Greece then back to Venice. Took a fast train to Roma and stayed there for 4 nights. Flew out of Rome.
Great vacation.
Go for it.
Gene K.