About a month ago, I received some helpful info when I was first looking into a trip to Italy the end of May 2013. Now, we know what areas we want to see and I am hoping to get advice regarding our itenarary. We have to keep our flights in and out of Rome because we are using air miles. We have 15 days including arrival date. We want to visit: ROME, SIENA, MANAROLA, BELLAGIO-LAKE COMO. We would like to spend 3 days/4 nights (inc arrival date)in Rome Any suggestions regarding staying in Rome day we arrive for several days and then end up back there night before we fly out OR go straight from Rome to another destination and stay in Rome at the end. We would like to rent a car to see the countryside in Tuscany. If not, does anyone know of any private driver for a day tour? No car needed for Rome, Cinque Terre or Lake Como. Looks like an easy train ride from Milan to Lake Como but not sure about getting between other destinations. We are trying to figure out if it is better to drive ourselves between these destinations (even though we don't need the car in above places) versus train or bus. I have seen the train times and it seems like driving would be easier and less time consuming but I don't know that. If we aren't spreading our time to thin, my husband thinks we should add on a short trip to either France or Switzerland since we are in the area when we are traveling to/fro Lake Como. We would be interested in the countryside or sea, and prefer to stay away from big cities. Any suggestions? Should we rent a car to get there? Thank you,
Sharon
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
Sharon, I think you are trying to see too much in too short a time. Lets look at travel times: Rome to Siena- fastest trains will take almost 3.5 hours. Siena to Manarola- the fastest trains will take 3.5 hours. Manarola to Milan is over 3.5 hours and you'll need to go beyond that to get to Lake como.
Milan back to Rome-4.25 hours. You lose at least half a day when you change cities. These are very long travel times and you'll lose most of your day with check out of the hotel, getting to the train station, waiting for the train, riding the train, getting to the new hotel and then checking in. That takes your 14.5 days down to about 10 days. If you spead this 10 days between 4 cities that only gives you about 2 days in each. I would consider cutting out at least one, if not two cities. That being said, if you choose to see all of these cities I would leave Rome for the last stop. Since most of day 1 is already wasted I would just hop on the train to Lake como and work my way back to Rome. I'm not familiar with that area so can't tell if you'll need a car or not. I certainly would not add a trip to France or Switzerland as I don't think you have near enough time. Donna
Posted by
Farmingville, New York, USA
381 posts
I think 15 days is plenty of time to see the places you list as long as you plan everything out well in advance. Four nights in Rome on your first trip is a good amount of time. You should be able to see all the major sites that interst you. You could stay longer and see more but I do understand you want to see other places. When we left Rome to head toward Florence and Tuscany area we rented a car. I am glad we did. You don't want a car in Florence but you find a garage and park it while touring the city but it is great to have to tour the country side or to drive to you next destination. We drove to Lake Como and stayed just outside of Bellagio. If you don't have a car Bellagio is a good town to stay in. Lots of ferries to take you to other towns accross the lake. I enjoy driving because I like the freedom to go where I want to go when I went to go. But if you drive just know it takes a day to get use to. The roads are narrow and curvy. A day trip from Bellagio to Switzerland is very doable. We made the day trip to Lugano and loved it. It was about an 90 minute drive as I remember it and a nice drive. I am sure they have buses from that area if you check it out. Starting the trip in Rome is fine. But if the last stop is Bellagio see if you can leave from Milan.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10261 posts
You don't have too much time, so best to use it wisely. Besides your time in Rome, how do you plan to divide your time? I would save Rome for last, instead of splitting time there. One scenario is that upon arrival you could leave immediately by train to Orvieto. Spend the first night there, then pick up a car for your time in Tuscany if you plan to see hill towns. If you only plan to go to Siena or Florence no car is needed and you could go straight to either of those places from Rome. Make Manarolo your next stop. If you do get a car for Tuscany, you might save some time by driving to the CT. Drop your car close, then train in. Go by train to Bellagio. You can take ferries to get around Lake Como. From there, train back to Rome. You are going to be losing quite a bit of time to travel. IMO you definitely don't have time to check out France or Switzerland on this trip!! I am going to send you a private message with a recommendation for Tuscany.
Posted by
Coraopolis, Pa, USA
1018 posts
I completely agree with Donna that you do not have enough time to adequately see all of the destinations you listed. Your vacation will be like a marathon at a dead run. Also, I would not consider side trips to either Switzerland or France. A lot of your trip will be in transit between places than actually being some place to discover and enjoy. Buon viaggio,