Need advice on how to pack the most into a small amount of time.
The awesome part: I'm going to Italy! The sucky part: I'm only going to be there a week. I'm arriving in Rome on a Sunday morning and leaving from Milan the following Sunday. I want to do a mix of urban and rural, and am a wine freak. Not chiantis so much, what really interests me is Montepulciano/Montelcino area. My travel partner wants to get Venice in there too. Can anybody suggest to me what is a can't-be-missed?
Reply to this Amy
You have a BIG problem, and that is time.
Your question about a place that "cant be missed"? The answer is an easy one, anywhere between Rome and Milan.
What I would do? Travel to the Montalcino area like you said, and then on to Florence. Which route to follow will depend on your means of travel, but any road, through whichever place, is a good road to take. Venice is nice, and if you are pushed for time, you can get to see and get the feel in one day. On the way from Venice to Milan, try include Verona. Milan is another of the places that you want to go back to. On a quick visit, just walk to the Duomo. You will get the feel of Milan and may have enough time to plan your next visit.
Faure
Reply to this Hello Amy 😊
Well, you can take a day trip to Venice. That is what a lot of people seem to do anyway. Hang around in the old part for the day.
I also think, if you do have the time Cinque Terre might be worth it. I havent been there yet, but it looks so nice it is on my list.
I would just get to Milan on the last day. I heard it is just very modern and not nearly as beautiful as other Italian cities.
Mel
Reply to this Well well....
Hi! I'm Italian and a wine freak too...
What you really CANNOT miss are the "Colli toscani" - the hills around Florence. You'll have the best food of your life and the best wine too! The good thing about Italy is that you don't have to go to a specific wine area to drink some of the best wine in the world!
-Verona is absolutely NOT a no-miss
-Milan is NOT a not-miss, unless you need a good shopping session and want to try some good clubs and the best "aperitivo" ever!!
Treviso is prettier than Verona, and Venice is a must if you've never been there, but since you have a week only, spend some more days in the Rome-Florence area, and like Mell said, go to Milan for 1 day, no more- is is chaotic, dirty, not particularly beautiful (apart from some hidden areas). Just good for partying shopping and aperitivos! Believe me!!!
Reply to this P.S. and book your hotel in Milan in advance - they are extremely expensive and always booked!
I can advise you on that too if you need!
CIAO
Reply to this Amy,
My first trip to Italy was 10 days from Rome to Milan so it wasn't much longer and I got a lot in. I have a "Italy Tips" guide that I put together and can email you if you'd like with more specifics on where to stay, eat, what to bring, traveling around Italy, etc. but basically, what we did last time was a couple of days in Rome (pre-book appointments for the Vatican and Borghese Museum, and go to the Colisseum), then took the train to Florence (if you have time stop for a few hours in Orvieto), spend 2 days there - you can make day trips by train to other parts of Tuscany and also go to the Gucci outlet, 1 day in Cinque Terre, and 1 day in Milan (Milan is like New York so to me, I didn't need a lot of time to check it out). You won't be able to do Venice in this trip easily but it will give you a good flavor of Italy while giving you a desire to come back for more! My first trip to Italy included a train ride from Milan to Zurich (through the Alps) and flying out of Zurich. We packed a lot in 10 days. 😊 You'll be tired but it'll be worth it.
Reply to this Instead of going to Milan which is a big disappointment ( I am Italian too) if you have the time why don't you go to the nearby lake Como ?
Reply to this Amy, Venice is magical! It is a must see over and above all else. Milan for shopping but I preferred to spend time getting lost in venice. It truly is amazing. We had planned to stay for 3 days and extended it to 4. We were there for Christmas and to experience mass in St Marks was unbelievable. We spent NYE in Genoa and wish we had more time there. Florence was a huge disapointment but we stayed close to the train station and I would never do that again. David was MAGNIFICENT!!! Siena was a very quaint and beautiful town, a nice day trip from Florence. I did not make it to Rome, but I am planning to go back very soon.
Do your research and create your own list of must sees......then scratch a few off. being rushed to cram in a lot will make for a not so enjoyable time. My friend & I had a lot of fun in the local cafes and wine bars just watching how the Italians lived, and even making a few friends along the way.
Have a great time!!
Debbie
Reply to this Hi Amy!
You can just miss Milan instead of Venice or countryshire around Florence.
At least 2 days and a half in Rome, a couple of days in Montalcino or Montepulciano
or just Siena, and then week end in Venice!
That's a nice Trip!
Reply to this Hello Jeanette how are u? Can u please send me your Italy travel guide? Thanks
Reply to this I hated Milan (thought the Duomo is definitely worth a look). Cinque Terre is indeed stunning though if you're heading there in winter it will be next to impossible to do the hike. Personally I didn't like Venice much (far too touristy) but it is of course a must see area. I was there 2 days and that was plenty. I suggest getting a water taxi to the Island of Murano while you're there and just wandering through some of those streets. It's a great way to get a feel for the canals and such without heaps of tourists in your way (once you get away from the glass shops). My favourite place in all of Italy was Verona (an hour train ride to the left of Venice, on your way to Milan), you could always stop there for half a day. But of course everyone likes different things. I spent a month in Italy and kept regular blogs if any of those would help you.
Reply to this Donald, I'm happy to send the travel tips to you but I just need your email address. If anyone would like the tips I've put together please send me a message with your email.
Reply to this Jeanette, I would greatly appreciate any tips you have for Italy as well. You can email me at
. Thanks a lot. Reply to this Leave out Venice..you won't have time...go there on another trip... if you want to do some wine tours outside the Roman Lazio area has places where you can visit, taste, drink and eat if you want to give Montepulciano a miss and go to Florence for a couple of days on the way to Milan.
vineyards you can visit inear Rome.Have fun!
Also check www.inromenow.com if you want to see what is on in Rome Reply to this Matt, you'll have to send me a message with your email because it got blocked out and I'd be happy to send me notes to you. I actually just got back from a trip to Switzerland, Spain and Italy this week.
Reply to this Jeanette, I think you have Private Messages blocked because I'm unable to send you a message. If you can change this setting, or perhaps PM me, I can send my address.
Reply to this Here is Top 5 list "what to do in Milan":
1)The Duomo
Milan's main cathederal with spires and facades on visible from its outside, and spectacular views from its roof. The Duomo is the 3rd largest cathederal in the world, after St Peter's Basilica in Rome and the Cathederal of Seville. It hosts the world's largest collection of marble statues. To think that the duomo was built so many hundreds of years ago with such fine detail is unimaginable. Beautifully preserved and maintained.
2)Branca Tower
See the views from this 108m tall tower.
3)Castello Sforzesco
Milan's famous castle.
4)Galleria Vittorio Emanuele
Supposedly the world's oldest shopping mall - situated in the Piazza Duomo. The Galleria is any shopperholics heaven. Imagine an open shopping centre. All your top designer names have boutiques in the Galleria and with architecture to match. You will melt looking at everything you cant afford to purchase. Hell in heaven! (and on hot days in summer it may even feel like that)
5) Lake Como
A huge beautiful lake in the foothills of the Alps.
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