Will this work?

Hi again, David,
Just curious: why put Santorini in the middle of the trip? Why not do your days in Rome at the end of the Italy piece, fly to Santorini from there, and then fly home from Athens?

Apologies if I missed something in your previous thread.

David,

That looks much better, but I have the same question as Kathy - why not leave Santorini for the last and book your flight home from Athens? It's very easy to get from the Cinque Terre to Rome using one of the direct (no changes) trains from La Spezia Centrale.

Are you able to get direct flights to Europe from Rochester?

Indicate whether you want to continue with the Itinerary posted above or change it to put Santorini last, and I'll try to offer more detailed suggestions.

I just thought it was better to fly out of Rome. We have been to Rome a few times, so no real need to go. We can look into another stop in northern Italy and fly into Milan and home from Athens. The cost is just about the same.

We have been to Rome a few times, so no real need to go

OK then. If you don't really have ant interest in Rome then it doesn't make any sense to go there. What about Florence? You been there yet? Great city.

I've been to each place on your itinerary but the CT. Why not change out Rome from 5/6-5/8 for Athens and then fly home from there?

Or go from the CT to Athens, then Santorini and then fly home.

Been to Florence, Pisa and Venice in the past. We do love Rome, just a special place but would pass to see some place new.

Portofino?

4/24 Fly to Milan
4 nights at Lake Como (via train)
4 nights at CT (via train)
Fly to Santorini
4 nights in Santorini
2 nights in Athens
5/9 Fly home.

David,

A few thoughts on your latest Itinerary.....

Four nights on Lake Como is probably one night too many, as there's not really a lot to do there. However, if you want the time to get over jet lag, visit a few spots along the lake and just relax then four nights will work.

Four nights is also probably one night too many for the Cinque Terre, unless you plan on taking a few day trips while there. You mentioned Portofino and that's certainly possible as a day trip. I would not suggest staying in Portofino however, as there's not much to do and it's somewhat on the "posh" side (although in April it may be a bit cheaper). Another nice day trip from Monterosso if the Ferries are running is to go to Porto Venere for the day.

If you want to adjust the time in your other locations and add another destination to the list that will fit with the plan to fly to Santorini, you could consider Stresa on Lake Maggiore. It's a beautiful city and worth a few days, and it's very easy to reach MXP from there.

One point to note is that easyJet doesn't have flights from MXP to JTR every day, but they do offer a flight on 2 May. Current prices are listed at €39.49 PP (plus a few fees of course), and those will increase as time passes. That's an early morning flight departing at 07:00 so you might have to spend one night in Milan prior to your flight to Santorini.

Is this your final Itinerary?

Still finalizing, issue now is finding a room, things are booking up quick. I thought we were in a global recession?

I agree with taking a day from Como and CT and add it to Athens. The ferry from Santorini to Athens will take most of the day that would leave you one full day in Athens. Adding two days will help. Check skyscanner for lights to Santorini or Athens from Italy.

issue now is finding a room, things are booking up quick. I thought we
were in a global recession?

The euro-to-dollar exchange rate is favorable, and the CT (if that's where you're having issues) is a hot destination. Accommodations there do fill up quickly and far in advance of the warmer months.

B&B SoleMare will be the place in CT. Now looking in Como.

David,

I assume by "Como" you're referring to the town of Varenna?

yes Ken Verenna, looking at B&B Villa Torretta