Trip to Italy - June 2025

Remember that the days you arrive and depart don’t count - they’re purely transportation days. Also consider at least a half day for every location change. With the time you have, I would drop the Amalfi Coast and Milan. There is so much to see, do and enjoy in Rome, Florence and Venice that not giving them the time they are due would be a mistake. The only reason I would even consider Milan is if you must depart from there instead of leaving from Venice.

Thank you. We were originally planning to fly out of Venice but flying out of Milan was a bit cheaper. What would be the easiest way to get to Milan from Venice to catch the return flight? We're not so much into museums and architecture. Considering that would 12 days still keep us busy between Rome, Florence, and Venice?

Never fly out of Venice - the times are NEVER good w/the water taxis & vaporettos. It's always best to fly into Venice and home from Rome - next time, you'll know. You've got too much planned in my opinion for only 12 days as each place needs 4 days minimum. I'd save Amalfi for next time as it's VERY HOT and crowded and NOT easy to get to.

How many NIGHTS do you actually have on the ground in Italy?

Each location change eats up at least half a day

Rome needs a minimum of 4 nights
Florence 3 plus 1 night for each day trip
Venice 3

Fast train from Venice to Milan
You must stay in Milan night before departure flight

If possible fly IN to Venice, out of Rome

Reasons given here
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/september-italy-itinerary-for-first-timer

Chinalake67, I disagree about flying out of Venice. I’ve done it twice, both with flights after 10:30am. Once I took a water taxi and the other time the Alilaguna bus. You just have to be selective when you are booking and stay away from the ridiculous 6am flights.

Sking10, if you are flying out of MXP, take the train from Venice S Lucia to Milano Centrale then the Malpensa Express to the airport. If it’s a morning flight out, go to Milano the day before.

Buon Viaggio!

Thank you for all the feedback so far. Our flight out of Milan leaves at 9:30am so not a very early morning flight and hopefully that gives us plenty of time to get to the airport in time. Flying into Venice and out of Rome or flying vice-versa was expensive than flying into Rome and out of Milan. That is the only reason we included Milan into our itinerary and an opportunity to visit Lake Como. Considering we are not much into museums and architecture, do 4 nights in Rome, 4 nights in Florence, 3 nights in Venice, and 2 nights in Milan sound reasonable?

I'm with Horsewoofie. I have flown out of Venice a couple of times. The most recent time, we had a fairly early flight. Our hotel was close to the bus/parking area. The hotel arranged for a taxi to pick us up early. The driver met us in the lobby and carried our luggage to the taxi.

Considering we are not much into museums and architecture, do 4 nights in Rome, 4 nights in Florence, 3 nights in Venice, and 2 nights in Milan sound reasonable?

If you have already bought your flights into Rome and out of Milan, what other choice do you have? This itinerary is certainly "doable". Personally, I find it a bit rushed unless you cut one of the cities or somehow add more nights to your trip. At least, you cut the Amalfi Coast from your original plans. Good luck

Your new itnerary will be way more enjoyable. I believe all routes you are traveling are operated by high speed trains: https://www.italotreno.com/en. For Lake Como you'll need to book on Trenitalia: https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html. Purchasing tickets now will be cheaper than buying tickets on the day of travel and will also be a time saver.

Our flight out of Milan leaves at 9:30am so not a very early morning flight and hopefully that gives us plenty of time to get to the airport in time.

Get there from where?

Where does that flight go? If Milan is where you exit the Schengen zone the customary wisdom is to be at MXP by 630ish.

We have also flown out of Venice but our flight departed at 11 something and we were familiar with transportation options and it was a direct flight to US. It's the flights that change somewhere in Europe that leave at the crack of dawn- difficult but not impossible!. Sounds like OP has already purchased flights so it's moot.

sking10-
I think your itinerary is fine. It's a bit fast paced but reasonable amounts of time in each location. With 4 nights in Florence you have time for a day trip or 2- lots of easy ones from Florence (Siena, Lucca/Pisa, etc)

For a flight departing at 9:30 you will need to be at MXP by 6:30 am- be on the Malpensa Express by 5:30.
Another option would be to skip Milan if of no interest to you and spend your last 2 nights in Stresa on Lake Maggiore. It is closer to the airport and has a direct bus to MXP. Nice way to end your trip. This would be in place of a day trip to Lake Como from Milan.

Official train sites:
Trenitalia- state run- regional and fast trains
https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html

ItaloTreno- private company- fast trains only
https://www.italotreno.com/en

Both have easy to use apps

Most of your routes are fast trains- you can purchase in advance for nice discounts if you are firm on your dates.

Use the Italian Station names:
Roma Termini
Firenze SM Novella
Venezia S Lucia
Milano Centrale

You will need to prebook timed entries to any major venues you are interested in-
Colosseum, Vatican, Borghese, Uffizi, Accademia, Last Supper etc

Let us know which you are interested in and we can provide the correct links.

Enjoy your trip!

I think your new schedule is perfect. I know you stated your family is not into museums so maybe plan 2 day trips from Florence. You can easily go to Pisa, Lucca, Siena or Bologna by train. Or book a day trip to some of the hill top towns.

"Considering we are not much into museums and architecture, do 4 nights in Rome, 4 nights in Florence, 3 nights in Venice, and 2 nights in Milan sound reasonable?"

Probably. Do you have a list of monuments and sights you want to fit in?

There are good hotels proximate to the Malpensa Airport, which also has two separate train stations. We arrived from Lugano one evening and stayed overnight at the Moxy, then took the hotel shuttle to catch our morning flight. Arrival two hours before flight time was more than ample, though admittedly we had the benefit of expedited (business class) check-in.

Gonna be hot and crowded in Rome that time of year (esp this year with all the Catholic stuff). I’d consider getting north ASAP.

I too will be traveling with my family in June for 14 nights. I wanted to do all the same destinations but was convinced to slow the pace. We are flying in and out of Milan because the flights were much more affordable. This is our itinerary:

Land and Milan and go straight to Venice where we start.

2 nights in Venice
4 nights in Florence
5 nights in Rome
- Possible Day Trip to Naples
2 nights Milan before heading home
- 1 day in Lake Como

I wanted to fit in Amalfi but just couldn't work it out without feeling rushed in each of the destinations. Best of luck with your trip planning!

Hi!

It sounds like a wonderful trip you’re planning! However, for only 12 days (excluding travel), I think the destinations you've chosen might be a bit much, especially when considering travel times between cities. That said, if you’re set on visiting all of them, I can offer a suggested itinerary.

Last year, I visited the Amalfi Coast and Rome, and here's how I structured it: I spent 2 nights in Capri, 2 nights in Amalfi, 1 night in Positano, and 2 nights in Rome. If you’d like to follow something similar, here’s an idea:

• Rome: Spend 3 nights

• Amalfi Coast: Take a train from Rome to Naples, then either take a ferry or bus to Amalfi. I’d recommend spending 3 nights there, using it as a base to explore the other villages like Positano and Ravello.

• Florence: After Amalfi, return to Naples and take the train to Florence. Spend 2 nights in Florence.

• Venice: From Florence, take a train to Venice for 2 nights.

• Milan: Finally, head to Milan for 1 or 2 nights before flying out.

Thanks elarakael. I think I am sold on your itinerary. I was still debating whether to fly into Naples and start our trip with Amalfi and then work our way North. Based on your experience with Amalfi, are three days sufficient to visit the most popular parts of Amalfi?

I’ve traveled to Italy 10 times, and I travel at a faster rate than most. But, I think with four people, you are trying to cover too many cities in your time. You mentioned that you’re not interested in museums & architecture. What exactly do you want to see & do? (Don’t mention cities - just activities). Depending on that answer, we can make suggestions that might get you away from a few crowds and enjoy your time much more.