Help with Italy itinerary please

[marsplasticeraser]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

If you're going up to Lake Como, Lugano (Switzerland) is a very cool city to stop in. Maybe a 30-40 minute drive from Milan. We spent four days in Lake Como and on our third day we went to Lugano and liked it so much that we spent our fourth day there as well. We also went up to Bellagio and took a boat up the lake. It feels to me a lot like you're in B.C. around that whole region except the cities and towns have a lot more to offer.

+1 for Lugano, beautiful place, and the waterfront as the sun sets is out of this world, magical with the colours and the lights on the mountains all around. it was surprisingly cheap to stay there, and a nice waterfront hotel with view of the lake was $150 a night. they get you on everything else though, and food is very expensive. a bag of chips at the supermarket was $9, and a basic personal pizza at a pretty basic restaurant was $30+.

[FurnaceFace]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

Barcelona is after the 4 days in Italy.

Our objective in going to Italy is that we've never been to Europe other than London and Paris. So we're tacking on a small side trip for a few days before meeting up with friends in Barcelona (reason for trip). Objective in Italy is to see the most variety of scenery and architectural styles. My wife and I travel in a way where we can really appreciate the details, but we wouldn't sit down for a long time to soak in the minutae if that makes sense.

Ok, I assume you picked Milan for flight options then. As others have said Milan is just a city. It would be like only visiting Calgary and not going to the mountains. Four days isn’t a lot of time even for speed travelers. It also sounds like this is the start of your trip so consider jet lag could slow you down. Florence as a base for those 4 days would give more options. Venice could be done still…though if your wife has been there, maybe elsewhere makes sense. I see there are direct flights from Florence to Barca so you can leave from there. Lucca is a day trip from Florence. There are lots of great towns around Florence, the bigger being Siena, Volterra, San Gimignano. They are all somewhat different and might appeal. All of that region is great…most of Italy is great, it’s hard to go wrong.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by FurnaceFace

Ok, I assume you picked Milan for flight options then. As others have said Milan is just a city. It would be like only visiting Calgary and not going to the mountains. Four days isn’t a lot of time even for speed travelers. It also sounds like this is the start of your trip so consider jet lag could slow you down. Florence as a base for those 4 days would give more options. Venice could be done still…though if your wife has been there, maybe elsewhere makes sense. I see there are direct flights from Florence to Barca so you can leave from there. Lucca is a day trip from Florence. There are lots of great towns around Florence, the bigger being Siena, Volterra, San Gimignano. They are all somewhat different and might appeal. All of that region is great…most of Italy is great, it’s hard to go wrong.

Thanks for the suggestions so far everyone! It has been very helpful.

Yes, Milan was for flight options. The prices spike if going to Venice and Venice is kinda out of the way. Push comes to shove we'll save it for another trip. Over the weekend, we discussed making Florence as a base over making Milan as a base. Feels good to see similar recommendations in that regards. Our friends are around 1-2 our train ride away from Milan which was also part of the decision making.

We were considering traveling with a few of our other friends from Italy and traveling to Barcelona together to meet with the bigger group on the last day. But we just discovered they're going to train for 20+ hours to get there. F that. Flying from Florence to Barcelona to meet them there makes the most sense.

[Fuzz]

Just FYI the train from Florence to Rome is very fast, if that helps with flight choices.

[sa226]

If you only have 4 days, and you've never been, I would do maybe 2 things. I would generally recommend Rome first and foremost. It's Rome after all.

But it kind of sounds like Rome is out of your way. I guess you could keep it simple and just do Florence for 2 days Rome for 2 days and call it a visit. You would have a great time.

If Rome is too far out of your way, I would base yourself in Florence, and then either make your way to Cinque Terre for whatever amount of time you'd like. If you're super ambitious it can be done as a day trip from Florence. But staying a night is best.

Or you could rent a car and do a driving loop through Tuscany and hit a few of the medieval fortress hilltop towns.

I've been to Italy twice, my favorite memory was driving through Tuscany. My most pleasant surprise was how much I liked Cinque Terre. I despise crowds and was kind of dreading our few days in Cinque Terre, but it was amazing (we went in April, which absolutely makes a difference in the crowds)

IMHO if you don't travel a ton and only have a few days. Places like Venice and Milan are for your second or 3rd trip to Italy. Rome, Florence etc, those are for yoir first trip.

Best part is that no matter what you choose to do, it's going to be awesome.

[darockwilder]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Just FYI the train from Florence to Rome is very fast, if that helps with flight choices.

Yes, it’s super fast and when we took it they had a speedometer in the cars so you could see the speeds.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by darockwilder

Yes, it’s super fast and when we took it they had a speedometer in the cars so you could see the speeds.

And they have been known to go on strike without warning as well.

[darockwilder]

Also true but luckily we didn't run into that. I think sometimes they strike for just like an hour or two.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

If you're going up to Lake Como, Lugano (Switzerland) is a very cool city to stop in. Maybe a 30-40 minute drive from Milan. We spent four days in Lake Como and on our third day we went to Lugano and liked it so much that we spent our fourth day there as well. We also went up to Bellagio and took a boat up the lake. It feels to me a lot like you're in B.C. around that whole region except the cities and towns have a lot more to offer.

On Lake Lugano, Gandria is a super super tiny little town to stay in. Swimming in the lake and checking out the ancient olive groves on the steep mountainsides makes for a great relaxing day between busy stops.

[SeeGeeWhy]

The memorable parts of Venice for me were the city walks, and an unplanned dinner in a plaza that started late and went really long. It was cool hanging out in that atmosphere and walking back to the hotel in the night. The most fun thing was booking a speed taxi to the Murano glass factory area and taking a tour. The boat made us feel like we were in a bond movie and the glass works were super cool. We came home with a piece we still cherish.

Never been to Milan but the Lake Cuomo recommendations sound very good to me, I regret not going there when we were in the area.

Florence is on my list because I am a Da Vinci nerd and can spend hours in a museum. It’s been described to me as a very decorated city, so I would want to go there with the ability to wander and meander and just enjoy its embellishments with little agenda. I’m more interested in checking out Umbria than Tuscany for a countryside experience.

Rome in a day or two is possible, but would be at your jam packed itinerary pace. Many of the attractions are some version of a church or a tomb and they’re cool but they get repetitive unless you’re super into that stuff. Walking the city and discovering the plazas and fountains and staircases was the most fun for me there. The train system smells like urine soaked garbage so it’s good for homesick edmontonians.

I’d honestly say skip it this time and tie it into a southern Italy themed trip. Amalfi is indeed incredible, so is Sicily.

I’d pick Cinque Terre over Pisa, only because I’m a big fan of landscapes and have heard Pisa is “meh” from pretty much everyone I know that has been.

[Scooter]

If you have any interest in cars tour the Ferrari museum and the Lamborghini museum in the Modena area, not far from Bologna.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

For me, I've done Rome before and the coolest thing if you had to pick one is the Colosseum. Especially if you're a sports fan. I marveled at the design and how it seemed so modern in a lot of ways. I'd follow that up with Vatican City/Sistine Chapel. Everything else you can see by just wandering around.

The best thing about Rome is the food. They're well known for these four pastas and if you go, try them all.

(1) Cacio e Pepe - 2/3 pecorino, 1/3 parmigiano, pepper, pasta water
(2) Spaghetti Alla Carbonara (so different from whatever they call carbonara here in North America) - pecorino mixed with egg and pasta water, guanciale
(3) Amatriciana - pecorino, guanciale, red sauce
(4) Alla Gricia - pecorino, guanciale, black pepper

Also, Roman pizza is worth trying. It's quite a bit different from what you'll see in Naples or most other parts of Italy as well. There's two types. One is "al taglio" by the slice on a focaccia type bread and the other is thin crust, almost oval-like and crispy. Both are excellent.

[Jimmy Stang]

My Italy experience is mostly limited to the South, except for a couple of days in Venice on a cool Austria, Slovenia, Italy (Venice) road trip loop we did once.

When we went to Venice, we had a car. We chose accommodation on the island of Lido that actually had parking, and there was regular vaporetto service. It worked out well for us, and Lido had a decent beach, restaurants, etc. and wasn't as busy and awkward as Venice proper.

Another option (if you are driving) is to park at the Tronchetto (giant "new island" built for the almighty car).

But being perfectly honest, as much as I like driving in Italy, trains in Italy are better than they used to be. And sometimes a car can represent freedom, and sometimes it is hindrance.

[DoubleF]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! It was really helpful.

I had basically got everything down to an idea where using Florence as a base for 4 days. It would probably have been the most fun approach even as speed travelers. Venice and Florence probably was doable, but flirted too close to exhausting vs enjoyable. My wife was pretty receptive of it, but said she wanted to keep tabs on the flight prices to make a decision.

Unfortunately, last night my wife found a deal and made an executive decision to have us to go Lisbon for the 4 days before Barcelona. I mean, for about $2100 round trip for the two of us flights vs $3200-4000 for Milan/Venice flight, I kinda get why she decided to run with the savings and go with the shorter/more direct flight. No Italy. But yay Portugal.

She did say that when we do Italy next time, she wants to do it right and spend a week and a half and not be as rushed. I'll have a good idea how to proceed when that time comes thanks to your suggestions.

[bizaro86]

Since DoubleF has had his solution, I'll piggyback on the thread. We're going to Rome with our kids (ages 8/10) next summer. We'll do a bit of "tour a museum/old church" type stuff, but realistically that isn't going to be the highlight for them. I think they'll like the colloseum and eating Gelato, but would be interested in hearing thoughts on stuff to do with kids in Rome/southern Italy.

[Fuzz]

An easy one, but go up the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II for a decent view of the surrounding area, which includes the coliseum, forum, pantheon and Vatican city. I think it was free or a Euro or something cheap.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Since DoubleF has had his solution, I'll piggyback on the thread. We're going to Rome with our kids (ages 8/10) next summer. We'll do a bit of "tour a museum/old church" type stuff, but realistically that isn't going to be the highlight for them. I think they'll like the colloseum and eating Gelato, but would be interested in hearing thoughts on stuff to do with kids in Rome/southern Italy.

How far south are you going?

If heading to the Naples area, I would recommend either Pompeii or Herculaneum. And actually with kids of that age, I'd pick Herculaneum. It is a more compact site, but with some very well-preserved buildings, relics, and frescoes.

Pompeii is amazing too, but it is absolutely HUGE and you'll never see it all, even with multiple visits. And everybody goes to Pompeii, so it can be a bit of a zoo.

My kid did Pompeii at 11 and Herculaneum at 7, and I think that Herculaneum was the better experience for him. And us.

[Nyah]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Since DoubleF has had his solution, I'll piggyback on the thread. We're going to Rome with our kids (ages 8/10) next summer. We'll do a bit of "tour a museum/old church" type stuff, but realistically that isn't going to be the highlight for them. I think they'll like the colloseum and eating Gelato, but would be interested in hearing thoughts on stuff to do with kids in Rome/southern Italy.

Rome is totally doable with kids, they'll love it. Although be warned that in the summer it's going to be hot and busy. Like, really busy, packed.

If you're heading far enough south I highly recommend Sorrento! It's a very cool little town and there's a bunch to see and do.

Edit: Like Jimmy S says above, Pompeii is very cool. Block off a long day for it though, there's a lot to see and explore.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by Nyah

Rome is totally doable with kids, they'll love it. Although be warned that in the summer it's going to be hot and busy. Like, really busy, packed.

If you're heading far enough south I highly recommend Sorrento! It's a very cool little town and there's a bunch to see and do.

Edit: Like Jimmy S says above, Pompeii is very cool. Block off a long day for it though, there's a lot to see and explore.

Yes, I second Sorrento. Or even from there a ferry over to Capri. I took the ski lift type thing at Anacapri (the very top) and it was very cool.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

How far south are you going?

If heading to the Naples area, I would recommend either Pompeii or Herculaneum. And actually with kids of that age, I'd pick Herculaneum. It is a more compact site, but with some very well-preserved buildings, relics, and frescoes.

Pompeii is amazing too, but it is absolutely HUGE and you'll never see it all, even with multiple visits. And everybody goes to Pompeii, so it can be a bit of a zoo.

My kid did Pompeii at 11 and Herculaneum at 7, and I think that Herculaneum was the better experience for him. And us.

I think we'll probably do a day trip by train to the Naples area. My wife and I have been to Pompeii, so I appreciate the note on Herculaneum. Seems more our speed. Lots of ideas so far that will combine well with that also!