We are going to Italy for the first time. Already done- flights into Rome staying at hotel Katty 3 days. Would like to go to Italian Riveria and winery tour, possibly B&B or farm have 2 days not sure where to stay. Next to Milan since we have a 2 nights free stay due to hotel points earned. Possible day trip to Lake Como or Swiss Alps. Then need hotel for 3 nights in Venice leave early a.m. out of Venice. Working on a round trip flight to Bari while in Venice to visit where my grandparents are from. Taking young adult children with us. No tours purchased, car rental or train tickets yet. Our boys interested in seeing a soccer game. Any recommendations welcome. I wish I would have started this sooner as trip is end of May. Thanks for help, Jim
Posted by
Wiesbaden, Germany
791 posts
There won't be any soccer (calcio) matches in late May.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, US
2195 posts
If the trip to Bari is important to you (and I think it should be ... visiting your roots is priceless), I would suggest exchanging your time on the Italian Rivera for Puglia, which is also very scenic and beautiful. Your trip could then work like this: Fly into Rome, stay 3 nights. Take a train to Bari (4 hours). Pick up a car at the Bari airport, and spend 2 nights in a small town nearby (i.e. Polignano a Mare) or find a masseria (farm) in the area. Spend one day driving around the Val d'Itria (Google Alberobello, Ostuni, Noci) and along the beautiful coast. Really get a feeling for the area where your grandparents lived. Be sure to bring an International Driver's Permit . A GPS with Italian maps would be handy, but for 2 days you might just want to rent a car that comes with one. The next morning, return the car at the Bari airport and take a flight to Milan. Spend your 2 nights there. Since you'll only have one full day in Milan, I'm not sure it makes sense to day-trip anywhere. Then train to Venice, and spend your last days enjoying this wonderful city. Get a 72-hour vaparetto pass, and spend a day visiting the islands in the lagoon.
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3301 posts
wow-Charlene has a great idea. Much better than trying to fly to Bari from Venice. Late may is very busy in Venice. To find hotels with available rooms, try a search on booking.com or venere.com.
Posted by
Miami, FL, USA
21 posts
The Bienale (an art fair that happens every 2 years) in Venice starts on June 1st so there is not a room to be found in venice at that time. I am having difficulty trying to extend my stay in Venice for only one more day on the 2nd of June. It's crazy.
Posted by
Gaston, Oregon, USA
931 posts
Charlene put together some great ideas for you. Use Skyscanner.com to search for lo-cost inter EU flights. Rent your car (small Ford Focus wagon or similar=4 people and luggage) here thru Autoeurope.com. By all means bring your GPS for home loaded with EU maps, and bring along a small fold-out Michelin map of Italy, and a compass. Don't forget your drivers license, along with the IDP. When in Bari make sure that no one is carrying a billfold or purse (actually good advice for all of Italy, etc.) A Masseria would be an excellent lodging choice. Check to see if the airport in Brindisi is a better access point. Watch lugage restrictions on inter_EU flights.