My wife and I are both in our mid 60s, fit, and experienced travelers planning our first trip to Italy. We have booked a Rome tour with Rick Steves beginning October 9, 2016. We plan to arrive at least 2 days early and stay in the same hotel we will stay in during the tour. We will then stay for 1 week 25 miles from Florence. We will have a car and plan to explore Florence and Tuscany using it. Our budget allows another 10 to 12 days and as this my post retirement trip we have flexibility of return date.
We like to stay in one place at least 3 nights and CT, Venice, Lake Como appeal to us. We invite suggestions for itineraries, places to stay, eat, tours to take.
Thanks, Michael
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11363 posts
Absolutely make Venezia 4 nights since you have time. It is a wonderful city to explore. I also like the Cinque Terre in October a lot. Although it is no guarantee, we've always had great weather there in October.
Since it will be getting late in the month by the time you finish the Roma tour and Tuscany stay (if I am counting right it will be Oct 23 by the end of the Tuscany stay), go to the Cinque Terre first, then on to Venezia. Here's what I'd suggest if you have 11 nights to spare
4 nights Cinque Terre is nice if you are avid hikers
3 nights Milan so you can go to EXPO (it ends Oct 31) and with any luck see The Last Supper
4 nights Venezia
I do not have any tours to recommend in these places as they are easy to do on your own, although you might have to book with a tour company to get Last Supper tickets. They are hard to get directly from the museum.
I can recommend places to stay and eat in all three locations as well as walks or hikes, and will do so once you confirm your plans.
Posted by
North Carolina
2467 posts
You'll want to think carefully about where a car would be an asset, and where it would be a liability or impossible, and plan accordingly.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11363 posts
Inbsig makes a good point. I suggest you drive from wherever you are in Tuscany to La Spezia, drop the car there and take trains for the balance of the itinerary, if you follow the one I suggested.
Posted by
Atlanta
4897 posts
Venice is, imo, a must. I would schedule five nights there so you have at least four full days. Lake Como and the CT are also good for about three to four days each. Personally, I would not drive if it can be avoided since it is a lot of hassle for just a week. If it can't be avoided then so be it -- just don't speed. They do not give you very much leeway at all.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Cinque Terre for 3 nights
Venice for 3 nights
Verona for 2 nights
Lake Como for 3 nights
Milan for 2 nights
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15602 posts
I would not plan on a stay in the CT that late in the year. Weather is iffy in the fall anyway, and if you get bad weather, there's not much of anything to do. Since you'll have a car in Tuscany, you can drive to, say, La Spezia, park, and spend a sunny day of your choosing in the CT.
If you want to enjoy Florence's magnificent and extensive Renaissance art and architecture, you should spend 3 nights there without the car. Maybe someone who's been in the area with a car can provide information on how close to the sights you can get with a car and where to park it.
Bologna is a great place to spend at least 3 nights, one day to explore the city's charm, then as many as you want for day trips by train - Ravenna, Ferrara, Padua are just a few.
Venice is a must, with 3 nights the minimum. The Doge's Palace Secret Itineraries tour is excellent.
If you add Lake Como it would be after Venice, then fly home from Milan.