My husband and I are trying to book this trip last minute and are wondering the best direction for our itinerary. We are interested in Milan/Lake Como, Venice, and Florence with day trips to Tuscany towns. We are mostly hoping to get beautiful scenery, water views, wine tastings, fun food and historical city sights. CT was a hope due to beauty and water, but it seems to early in the season. Easter falls on the 5th, so we are trying to stay away from Rome area for this trip and go back another time. Might one have a suggestion of the order to move in? Most likely in or out of Milan and Florence.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8811 posts
United has direct flights to Venice from IAD
Much easier to fly IN to Venice than out of
Perfect place to get over jet lag
Venice 3
Train to
Florence/ Tuscany 3
Train to
Lake Como 3
Train to
Milan 1
Fly home
Or avoid the crowds at Lake Como and go to Stresa on Lake Maggiore
You can get to MXP direct bus from there-may not need a night in Milan at all
Add that night to Florence (which will be very crowded at Easter)
Posted by
8 posts
I’m flying out of Venice the day after Easter and I’m curious why it’s harder to fly out of there than in. Just want to be prepared and not surprised!
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8811 posts
Depends on departure time
Most flights leave super early in am-difficult to get to airport that early
Those are flights that are usually going to a European hub -not direct to US
Some direct flights to US leave later am so not such an issue
If you tell us what time and from where in Venice we can advise best transportation to VCE
Posted by
San Diego, California
6815 posts
The Easter holiday will impact just about any major location in Italy. The Easter holiday includes the week before and the week after Easter itself. Easter Monday will find many businesses closed, and major tourist sites very busy. Sadly, Lake Como will be jam-packed, and I doubt you'll find any reasonably-priced accommodations at this late date. We were in Lake Como in 2025 for the May 1 holiday , and it was crazy crowded. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if you plan for the realities on the ground, you'll have a better trip. Good luck!
Posted by
OP
Frederick, Maryland
3 posts
I like that itinerary! Can't seem to find any direct flights to anywhere except Rome. I can drive 4 hours to Newark for a cheaper and direct flight to Venice. I thought Philly flew direct as well, but nothing is showing up with my dates.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8811 posts
I guess that United flight is seasonal or possibly not every day
Try changing your dates by a day of 2
We prefer PHL-check American-I don’t think they fly direct to Venice though
We have driven to EWR but its a real pain;)
Are you using Google flights to search?
Posted by
OP
Frederick, Maryland
3 posts
I am. Thank you. It is a pain but I grew up in NJ so I know the route. I would do a lot for a direct flight.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8811 posts
Same here- IAD is so horrible we would and have chosen to drive to EWR instead
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2871 posts
hey hey301ali
booking last minute trip to northern italy which is only 2 1/2 months away with many places booked months and months ago.
your interested cities will be packed/busy during the easter holiday, many traveling for USA spring breaks, many other countries spending time where you want to.
they are very popular with thousands of people roaming through the crowding like sardines, bumper to bumper people rubbing shoulders, grumpy/nasty/obnoxious people, been there done that, i run away to a lesser known quieter place. it will not only be rome celebrating easter with all the christians/cathoilics visiting.
don't know your budget in euros, look at booking.com what's available for your dates, if you find a place email/call hotel directly for more availabilty. remember that check-in times are 3-4pm and check-out times 10-11am. another important issue is the departure times and arrival times. many flights could be 6-7am departure and finding a way you need to check out and get to airport couple hours before flight, if arrivals are early you will need to wait for check-in with luggage for hours. some hotels will allow holding luggage till check-in but you may be tired from overnight flight with jetlag, IT"S REAL.
look at times for train and travel (could be could be couple hours to next town) may places besides what you mentioned have beautiful scenery, wine tasting is all ove italy (not just tuscany), small mom & pop restaurants off a small back streets has excellent food without having to reserve and wait in long lines.
just pack lots of patience, enjoy the scenes right in front of you, sit at cafe with a glass of wine & appetizers and people watch.
are you arriving april 1 or april 2 and departing april 11 or 12, makes a difference which is only 8 days. spend time in 2 cities/towns. look at attractions that need to be pre-booked (date/time stamped), are you doing a tour in tuscany? book way ahead of time, many companies/tours are already booked. have a great trip & have fun
aloha