Itinerary Critique - 1st trip to Italy

Thank you for the pointers. I'm glad to be on the right path. Although it's a short trip I'm just happy to be going. Unfortunately, I had to select Milan over Rome
simply because I'm using airline miles and didn't have enough for Rome ;(
I decide we'd spend as
many nights in Rome as possible to avoid checking in/out of several cities and be on a constant move. As short as the trip is, I'd like to keep it as 'slow' as possible and not rush from place to place. My concerns right now are whether to forgo Pisa and just see Florence on the way back from Rome to Milan; and, on our last day, whether to make the day trip to Varenna or just spend it in Milan? Oh well, there's plenty if time to decide. :)

Hmmm. The first thing that comes to mind is that you plan to arrive in Italy on 3/19, and two days later you are (I think) running a marathon. Are you flying in from the US, or somewhere in Europe? Have you been to Europe before (I'm guessing no, based on something I'll mention below). Do you sleep well on overnight flights? Not everyone does.

My point is that for most of us, the physical act of getting to Europe from the USA (which usually involves an overnight flight at minimum, never mind all the hectic pre-trip stuff that usually leaves me exhausted even before I get on the plane) is quite tiring, and for a lot of people it often takes at least a couple days before we're back to 100%. I assume that running a marathon is not a trivial task for you. If it were me (assuming I was capable of running a marathon even under ideal conditions), I'd want to be there for a good week before I tried to push myself that hard. I cannot imagine trying to run competitively while still jet-lagged and groggy from the redeye (which many people will be after less than 2 days) - no thank you. It sounds to me like you may be cutting this close. YMMV.

As for the details of the rest of your trip, I agree that open jaws is the way to go - it will save you at least a full day.

As for Florence - it's worth more than a few hours on the way between Rome and Milan. And IMHO it would be crazy to try to do a side trip to Pisa from a brief (half day) stop in Florence. I'd say skip the side trip to Pisa, and give Florence a full day and night at an absolute minimum.

You are very perceptive; I am running the marathon and yes, it's going to be rough knowing that a 9:00 start is 2 am in US central time. But you only live once ;). The excitement will carry me through (it will be my 9th marathon). I'm not a 'supreme' athlete by any stretch of the imagination, but I will do the training and be ready (other than coping with the jet lag). I should be able to sleep on the overnight flight, which should help. Yes, it is my first trip to Europe and we are flying overnight from NY.
one benefit I hope to gain from the trip is just the brief introduction to the country so we can return on a future, extended length trip and experience even more.

Are there any hints to get over jet lag other than just a couple days of rest?

Dana - Not everyone suffers from jet lag. Maybe you will be lucky and hit the ground running, so to speak. I've been to Europe 3 times in the last 3 years, traveling from California, and have not experienced jet lag yet. Well, not going over there anyway. When I come home from a busy vacation I'm wiped out and need a vacation from my vacation! Have a great time and good luck in the marathon!!!

Thank you all! Keep the tips coming. Anyone have thoughts on taking a day trip from Milan to Lake Como?

Dana,

I tend to agree with David. This is a very short trip and while it may be possible to fit all those stops into your Itinerary, it's a bit "ambitious" IMHO.

I'd also suggest open jaw flights, but given the circumstances with the "miles", return flights from Milan will also work.

I'm assuming you'll depart on 3/18? You'll normally arrive the day after you depart from the U.S. Although some people aren't badly affected by jet lag, I've found that it's a good idea not to underestimate the effect. On some trips I've adjusted easily, but on others it has taken several days. For me the adjustment after returning home is usually worse.

I'd suggest dropping both the day trip to Pompeii and the side trip to Pisa. The trip to Pompeii from Rome is a LONG and tiring day, and there's more than enough to see in Rome. If possible try to allow more time in Florence than a "stop-over" as it's also a wonderful city with lots to see. Spending several hours on the train for a short visit to the Tower is not really practical. As Rick says "assume you will return".

To answer the question in your last post, taking a day trip to Varenna / Lago di Como is easily possible. I used that method to make a return visit to Varenna in June. If you take an early train and then the last train back to Milan in the evening, that will allow a full day for touring not only Varenna but also a side trip to Bellagio if you're so inclined. That would also allow a fine meal at Albergo Olivedo before heading back to Milan (it's only about a 10-minute walk from there to the station).

You might want to pack a copy of the Italy Guidebook along, as it has lots of suggestions for good lodgings & restaurants, transportation info, sightseeing info, etc. I find it a good source of reference when travelling (you'll see those blue & gold books ALL OVER EUROPE!).

Good luck with your planning & happy travels!

I agree with the other posters-skip Pisa and Pompeii and concentrate on Florence and Rome. I have been to Pisa and IMO it isn't worth all the extra time to get there. Save it for your 2nd or 3rd trip to Italy!

Thanks all! I figured my boys, age 14 and 16, would really enjoy Pompeii, even if it takes a day from Rome for the daytrip. Your thoughts.

Skip Pompeii and visit Ostia Antica instead. Much closer and very similiar, Ostia was the old port town near Rome. It's been very well-preserved due to being buried in mud and is much less crowded than Pompeii. It's also an easy metro/train ride away and can be done in half a day if you wish. See Rick's article at http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/italy/ostia.htm

Like Andrea, I am fortunate to not suffer jet lag when going to Europe (coming home is another story entirely). I try to sleep on the plane, with a little tylenol pm to help, and upon landing, I make sure to get out immediately for some exercise and fresh air. I also try to fall into the 'normal' routines as soon as possible--eating after 7pm, staying up til bedtime, getting up by 7 or 8am.

I don't normally like to badmouth destinations, but I find Milan VERY skippable (I've been through there 3 times). I'd suggest spending the absolute minimum time there possible in favor of Rome and Florence. If it were a warmer time of year, maybe Varenna, but it's not.

Dana,

Just to clarify the point made in the previous post, are you intending to board a train to Rome as soon as you arrive at MXP?

Although it will be a LONG travel day, given the short duration of your trip I'd also suggest not stopping in Milan for too long.

What time does your flight land?

Cheers!

If you have time while in Milan and the weather cooperates, visit the roof of the Duomo. It's a fun experience, and I suspect it's something the boys would really enjoy.

Thanks for the tip, Frank. I was thinking the same thing.