Order & Mode of Travel in Italy

To me this is both a simple and complicated question. You travel modes will be mixed between rail and air. Our break point is around 6 hrs before we shift to air from rail. Rail is just so much more comfortable and convenient than any of the airlines especially the discount airlines. There is merit to working north or south and see no advantage to one or the other. Might check the air fare to Athens from Rome or Milan. That could be the deciding point. The Milan airport is a little easier to use. If you are using air from Switzerland to Italy - do the long trip to Rome and then north.

Here is an approximation of what I found concerning the airfare for Rome vs. Milan to Athens: 2.5 hr flight from Milan to Athens, ~ E 110; 2.0 hr flight from Rome to Athens, ~ E 135. That doesn't seem like enough of a difference to justify one direction over another, to me. If anyone else has any opinions on these questions, I'm still seeking!

Greg, This is a fairly easy question to answer. If you could provide more information on all the destinations you're planning to visit, I'll offer suggestions on the way I would structure the trip. Cheers!

Vernon, Thank you - that would be so helpful! We will be coming in from Switzerland (Gimmelwald) by train if entering Milan and heading south. Here are the amounts of time I was thinking we will spend in locations: -Milan: 1/2 day (travel through) -Cinque Terra: ~3 days -Venice: 2 days -Base camp from Siena (or agriturismo in area) and day-trip to Florence , various hill towns and wine tasting -Rome: 3 days
-Naples/Pompeii: 1 day (maybe skip this & save for another trip another day) Then we will take a flight from Italy to Athens. My questions arise concerning what order to connect those locations (including heading N or S), and by what mode of travel... Thanks, Greg

Greg, I'd probably arrange the trip in a slightly different order. Your present Itinerary has some "criss-cross" patterns, and it's a good idea to minimize those to keep the travel times down. I assume you've ruled out staying in Florence and taking a day trip to Siena? Would something along these lines work: > Interlaken Ost to Venice by rail (travel time ~6H:40M). You'll travel from Gimmelwald to Interlaken via Post Bus and local train. Whether you go through Milan will depend on which train you use - one that I looked at goes directly from Brig to Venice. > Venice to Cinque Terre via La Spezia by rail (shortest travel time I found was 4H:52M, one change in Florence). From La Spezia you can reach whichever of the five villages you're staying in on the local train. > CT to Siena by rail (travel time is ~3H:08M with two changes in Pisa and Empoli). When you arrive in Siena, you'll have to take a Taxi or Bus from the station up to the city. If you decide to stay in an Agriturismo, you'll probably have to rent a car. Be sure you're aware of the "issues" concerning IDP's and ZTL areas. I can post my "usual comments" on the subject if you're interested. > Siena to Rome by train (travel time is again ~3H:08M with one change in Florence). You could also travel by Bus, but I'd have to check on the times. You didn't indicate how many days you'd be staying at the "base camp from Siena"? If you decide to stay in Siena, there may be day tours from there to various wineries or whatever but I haven't checked. There are also cooking classes in that area, and I'm sure one of the more "culinary oriented" members on the HelpLine will be able to provide further information on that. Continued......

Greg - Part 2.... For the day trip from Siena to Florence, use the Corse Rapide Buses. They depart from one of the main plaza's in Siena and terminate right in downtown Florence (next to Firenze SMN station). With only 3-days in Rome, I'd leave Pompeii for another trip. A day trip from Rome will be a LONG day, and IMO it would be better to have more time to see the historic sites in more detail, including the Museum in Naples where a lot of the artifacts are displayed. Sorrento makes a great "home base" for touring that area, and while there you could also visit Positano, Capri, Vesuvius, etc. There's MORE than enough to keep busy with in Rome for three days! For the flight from Rome to Athens, you might consider EasyJet. I travelled that route last year, and it was a very pleasant flight. If you've never travelled with the "budget airlines" in Europe, be sure to read their Terms & Conditions carefully, especially relating to luggage. Many of the low cost carriers only allow ONE carry-on item of the approved size (they WILL check). Also, in most cases you'll obtain the best prices by booking early. They often use a "sliding scale", with seats increasing in cost as the flight fills. Tickets are usually non-refundable and non-changeable once booked. After arrival in Athens, use the excellent Metro to reach the area of your Hotel. If you haven't travelled by rail in Europe, be sure to read the "Rail Skills" chapter in Europe Through The Back Door. You can also download the free PDF Rail Guide from this website (click the "Railpasses" tab at the top of the page and then look in the lower right corner). You can also have a look at This Video (slightly "dated" but still useful). Good luck with your planning!

Greg,
One idea for your time in Siena is a tour with http://www.toursbyroberto.com. Roberto is a Rick Steves recommended guide. We very much enjoyed our day, which included a family-owned-and-operated winery, an Etruscan tombsite, and a very small & beautiful medieval village. There are othertour options as well, such as including more wineries. Roberto picks you up at your lodging and returns you there end-of-day. Only 8 people are allowed on each tour, so just a small intimate group in a van. Have a wonderful trip! I love all the places you are going!

Greg,
From Siena to Rome consider the bus http://www.sena.it/index_e.htm if you decide to use the train don't go through Florence take the train to Chiusi. For hilltowns see http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/tuscany/hs_planning.htm Instead of Pompeii conider Ostia Antica http://www.ostia-antica.org/

Ken - Thank you very much for your expert advice - it was superb help! Laurel & Henry - thanks for your replies too - I will check them out!