Where to stay (4 nights) after a villages tour in October

Where will you fly home from?

Where are you flying out of?

I would not go back to Monterosso as you will be spending 2 nights in Levanto which is just the next town up so you can see it on your free day there.

I would also not add time to Lake Orta. I added an extra night and we were "done" by noon and wished we were moving on. I've not been to Stesa but Jean from the forum and our local meet up likes to head there when she lands in Milan. It's on Lake Maggiore. Maybe 2 nights there and if you are flying out of Milan, end with 2 nights there?

Whoops, forgot some info: We fly into Venice, stay two nights, and then two nights at Lake Garda, San Sirmione. Then to Padua for the tour that ends on the 24th. We don't fly out of Milan until the 29th.

Ever since I watched Under the Tuscan Sun, I've wanted to travel there! I have a feeling that we may want to explore more in that area (altho my hub loves the coast!). I think small towns with fun vibes and cafes/restaurants, wineries, farmhouses... maybe weather permitting... rent bikes or go horseback riding. Pool? hot tub?

Not really into shopping or big cities, altho a day trip to Florence to see "David" is in the cards...

Do you think Vienza is too far? Saw some amazing villas while investigating area on Booking.

Thanks for your input!!
Ali

I’m another fan of Lago Maggiore. It was the highlight of our second trip to Italy. We did the village Italy trip this spring and were disappointed in Lake Orta. The hotel was fine but the town itself was a bit of a downer, especially considering it was the last day/night on the tour.

This was our 4th tour to Italy and we haven’t begun to scratch the surface. Pick something interesting to you near your airport.

I assume you mean Pienza-which would require a car (as would Cortona and almost any hilltown other than Siena and Lucca)
It’s also a good distance from Milan airport

Stresa is lovely and you can reach MXP from there

No matter where you choose you will need to stay near MXP or in Milan night before departure so you really only have 3 nights.

Where from and when are you planning a day trip to Florence? On the tour?

Our flight out of Milan doesn’t leave until 3pm… does that make it worth going five hours south? I could skip Milan….or does everyone recommend that we stay there the night before? 😄

You could take the train to Milan the morning of your flight. I would stay in Milan if I had a morning flight, but I would trust the train system to get me there on the day of for a late afternoon flight. (Get travel insurance if missing a flight would cause you extreme harm like losing a job or financial hardship.)

Thank you all for your input!!! After talking to Vivaya at Rick Steves (she was MOST helpful!!), we decided to look into changing our return flight out of Florence rather than Milan. This way, we can spend more time in the Chianti and Tuscan regions. We're going to make a home base in Pienza and rent a car. We'll get to visit Florence, Montepulciano, Montalcino, and Cortana.
Thanks again!! ali

we decided to look into changing our return flight out of Florence
rather than Milan.

well there is a very good decision!

Most flights leave FLR pretty early as you will be changing planes somewhere in Europe- no direct to US- so you might need to stay in Florence night before departure. FLR is a quick taxi ride from the center- 28 euro fixed rate. There is a tram but possibly not early enough for you.
(You should also check flights out of Pisa)

Make sure all drivers have an IDP and read up on driving in Italy.

More questions!!

Any suggestions on how to get from Lake Orta (Milan) to Florence or Pienza: Train or rent a car? Seems like the train could take up to six hours...car only four...My husband is apprehensive about driving in Italy altho we plan to rent one for the days down in Pienza, Multipulciano, and Cortona.

Also, is there a trick to find the best deal for train transportation? A pass or indiv tix?
Places we will definitely be going by train...
Venice to San Sirmione (via Verona)
San Sirmione to Padua
Lake Orta to Florence (destination Pienza) May need to rent ther car in Florence?
FLorence to Milan

If this helps anyone with suggestions our itinerary is:
Oct 6 Fly into Venice (2 nights)
Oct 8 Lake Garda, san sirmione (2 Nights)
Oct 10 Padua (Night before tour)
Villages Tour Oct 11-24
Oct 24 depart Lake orta
Oct 24 Pienza (4 nights)
Oct 28 Florence (or a town more north)
Oct 29 fly our of Milan at 3 pm
Help???

For Milan to Florence, you can find a train that is just as fast as driving (I'd argue driving will take more time because you have to add the rental office rigamarole)--just be sure to select the time of 0 on the Trenitalia website so you see all options, and check Italotren as well.
Driving between Milan and Florence would not be that appealing. Once you get into the hills of Tuscany, the driving is pleasant.
There are not passes, just buy point to point.

Just a thought, but have you considered stating in Venice longer? Two nights seems brief to me.

I'll just add that your RS guide will organize exit transit for everyone who wants to go to Milan. Some will go directly to the Milan airport in groups, others will have a van transport to Milano Centrale. Although the guide will organize it, tour members will pay for this out of pocket. There is a train out of a town near to Orta San Giulio but the van is probably faster.

I assume you mean Sirmione as there is no San Sirmione on Lake Garda
Sirmione does not have train access- trains stop in Peschiera and Desenzano. Looks like you are stopping in Verona on your way? You will need to store luggage at the train station there. I am sure there is a bus from Verona to Sirmione. I do not have that info but someone here likely does. (Or take train to Peschiera then bus to Sirmione)
From Sirmione to Padova take bus to Peschiera del Garda then fast train to Padova

From Orta go to Milano Centrale with transportation arranged by your guide.
Take fast train to Florence- you won’t be able to book this until you know what time that transportation gets you there- there are multiple trains at least every hour so not a concern.

Rent your car in Florence- near the train station- there are multiple threads here with instructions how to exit Florence without ZTL violations- then drive to Pienza (along Chianti road).
After Pienza return your car at Florence train station, stay 1 night there or move on to Milan (safer) and take fast train to Milano Centrale then Malpensa Express to MXP. Flight leaving at 3 pm means you need to be at MXP by 12 noon. (I would stay in Milan night before to be safe)
If leaving from Florence that means on a fast train to Milan no later than 8:30 am (2 hr journey) then Malpensa Express (1 hr journey)

Trains- use the official train site, download their easy to use app.
No pass needed, just book point to point

Trenitalia
https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html

Looks like all of your routes will be be fast trains so those that you can be sure of day/time can be booked in advance for discounts.
Regional trains do not need to be booked in advance- they can’t sell out, price never changes.
Fast trains rarely sell out either.

Station names:
Venezia S Lucia
Verona Porta Nuova
Padova
Firenze SM Novella
Milano Centrale

JMO-but I would give Venice 3 nights (2 nights is only 1 full day) and I would skip Sirmione- give that night to Padova as I don’t think the tour covers everything there. Or use that for a day trip to Verona. Or better yet spend 4 nights in Venice and day trip Verona from there
By the time you get to Sirmione in your proposed itinerary you have just the 1 day- is it worth all that travel and hotel change to you?
The Villages tour is already fast paced with all 2 night stays. Slow down a bit.

I think mentioned above but important- make sure all drivers have an IDP- get at your local AAA and read up on driving in Italy- ZTLs, speeding, parking, etc.
Driving in the Pienza area is delightful but you still need to be aware of the rules. You will not be driving IN to any of the hilltowns- you will be parking in lots outside the walls.
If you plan to visit wineries/wine taste- have a designated driver. The alcohol limits in Italy are a lot less than US and they are serious.

Picking up and returning car in Florence requires a clear understanding of the route you should take or you will most likely get violations in your mailbox months after your trip.
An alternative is to pick up/drop at FLR which avoids driving into the city but means an extra expense (trivial IMO) 28 euros fixed rate taxi to/from train station or take the tram/shuttle (not my choice too many transfers to get to the actual rental agency).

We always rent our cars thru AutoEurope.com- a US based broker with excellent customer service and usually best rates. You can check rates and book online or give them a call toll free- they are super helpful and knowledgeable

You can use regional train from Venice to Peschiera Del Garda (change trains in Verona) for 26.60 EUR for 2 adults. From Peschiera, take a local bus to Sirmione.

Sirmione back to Peschiera by bus, then regional train to Padua (change trains in Verona) for 19.20 EUR.

I have been to Sirmione from Verona by bus. To get there from Venice you would need to take a train to Verona and then the bus which is next to the train station.

We had a very nice day in Sirmione but I would not do what you are proposing. I would stay four nights in Venice or spend the 2 nights in Verona instead. Verona is one of my favorite places.

Loving all of the suggestions!!

Does anyone have a ballpark idea how long it would take to get to Milan after the end of the Villages tour in Lake Orta? We're trying to get an idea of a car pick-up time in Florence if we stop in Milan for lunch before the express train ride. I read that the guide could arrange a van to the train station (if enough of the travelers were going to the train station.

Also, (and many thanks!) we are considering changing our hotel res for 2 nights in Sirmione to 2 nights in Verona before the tour unless you think we should just keep it?? Love to see both.
Again_ our plans so far (we've never been to Europe and our hope is to get a taste of Italy without getting too crazy, and then come back in a year or so)....
Keep in mind
2 nights in Venice landing at 2pm
2 nights in Sirmione or Verona
1 night in Padua before start of tour (tour has another day or so to explore Padua)
13 nights on Villages tour
Lunch in Milan (we're not shoppers- we don't enjoy cities like NY, LA, San Francsico, so we don't want to explore Milan
3 nights in Pienza to explore surrounding areas: visit Montalcino, San Gimignano??
2 nights in Monipulciano and visit Cortona?
1 night FLorence

Thanks all!! Ali

Looks great, but I would just choose one Tuscan base, since those places are pretty close together and the driving is part of the fun. Plus like you said, you'll be back. happy travels!

2 nights in Venice landing at 2pm

> 2 nights in Sirmione or Verona

You need more time in Venice. Arriving at 2 means not settled in lodgings til 5 at best. Next day is jet lag day.
I would stay all 4 nights in Venice and day trip to Verona. A full day in Verona should be sufficient. I’d rather do that than all the hotel changes, packing/unpacking, checking in/out etc all takes up too much time. You will be doing enough of that on the tour- changing locations so frequently.
Save Sirmione for your next trip- it’s only worth a few hours.

Lunch in Milan (we're not shoppers- we don't enjoy cities like NY, LA,
San Francsico, so we don't want to explore Milan

Just grab lunch at Milano Centrale and take it on the train. You still have a long day to go picking up car and driving to Pienza. Milan is a big busy city which you don't like, you would have to store your bags, take taxi or metro to the center (station is not in center) then get all the way back to station, get your bags and catch a train.

3 nights in Pienza to explore surrounding areas: visit Montalcino, San
Gimignano??

> 2 nights in Monipulciano and visit Cortona?

Montepulciano is only about 15 min from Pienza- I see no need to change hotels here. Driving in/out and parking in Montepulciano is an issue as well.
San Gimignano is almost a 2 hour drive from Pienza- IMO too far for a day trip. There are other hill towns nearer to Pienza that are less touristy. San Quirico, Bagno Vignoni, Buonconvento, Monticchiello. Your tour visits Orvieto, Siena, Assisi- you might have had your fill of hill towns by then!

Stay all 5 nights in/near Pienza- do you have accommodations already? If not you need to book something ASAP. Availability is limited, especially for places with parking.
This place is available, has parking, fantastic views, restaurant on property- we have friends that stayed there and loved it.
https://www.a440intuscany.com

I would go to Verona and then it's an easy train ride back to Milan. Verona is a magical place.

Wow! Love all the input!!!
Hmm.. Venice, I think we'll take Christine's advice. Skip Sirmione and stay in Venice for four days before Padua. Thanks, Christine!! So now four days in Venice...
I have us booked at Hotel Vecellio on the lagoon facing Murano. Does this sound like a good area to stay, or does anyone have suggestions?? It seemed good because it's near the ferry drop-off and boats to take to Murano/Burano and other islands. Any suggestions of things to do over there now that we have more time?

Since we plan to rent a car from Florence to be able to visit various Tuscan towns, I don't think it's an issue with staying in two places.
Poggiosalto de toscana 3 mights...it is large, spacious, and has its own large terrace!
and 45 min away is our splurge: Terre Antica winery resort in Montipulciano
https://terra-antica.com/
We decided to keep the two different locations as we only have a carry-on and a backpack, so not too difficult to switch accommodations. We can explore areas on both sides from the two locations plus just relax and enjoy the amenities (hot tub at Terra!).
Saw in another stream that there is a train strike right now affecting travelers (Venice to Padua) currently. Does this last long or do they usually resolve? We leave in two weeks!!

Strike -if it happens - scheduled to last 24 hours
Nothing to worry about
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/nationwide-rail-strike

I have us booked at Hotel Vecellio on the lagoon facing Murano. Does
this sound like a good area to stay, or does anyone have suggestions??
It seemed good because it's near the ferry drop-off and boats to take
to Murano/Burano and other islands.

The hotel location is fine- you will be away from the crowds near San Marco and Rialto.
Our favorite hotel in Venice is Hotel Ala- perfectly located, easy access to/from VCE and train station, close to San Marco but in a quiet campo.
https://www.hotelala.it

The”ferry” is the vaporetto- not a ferry but a water bus. That is likely how you will get around in Venice. You might want to purchase a length of stay pass as it is a huge savings over individual tickets. Be sure to validate your pass each and every time you board- fines are expensive and they do catch you.

You will need to figure out how you will get to hotel from VCE. The hotel website usually has directions so look there first. I imagine your best choice will be the alilguna boats (different from vaporetto) or a water taxi

Scroll down to Aussie’s post in this thread for Venice transportation option
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/getting-to-venice-from-airport

You can probably walk to the train station but you will be crossing bridges, steps etc so if you’ve got a vaporetto pass might use that as you leave- it will take a while but easier than dragging luggage over all those bridges and canals. Google maps says 29 minute walk from your hotel to train station.

Any suggestions of things to do over there now that we have more time?

Not sure what you mean here? Venice is very compact and obviously completely walkable- you are about a 20 min walk to San Marco, 15 min to Rialto.

As far as what to do in Venice list here under At a Glance:
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/venice


Day 1 see the sights that interest you. Your hotel is also near Row Venice which gets a lot of praise here
Day 2 Vaporetto to Burano (I’d go there first) and Murano, maybe a stop on Torcello
Day 3 Day trip to Verona

Just make sure you give Venice itself enough time.