Hi bro, some questions on Italy. I'll be in Italy for about 11 nights(including the 1st night as I arrive Milan at 9.30pm). Flying in to Milan, flying out from Rome.
So I'll spend the next full day at Milan exploring the sights, then next morning will take a train/bus to Venice
2 nights in Venice(or should I do 1?)
train to Cinque Terre for 2 nights
then to Florence for 2 nights
then to Rome(+ Vatican City) for 4 nights
Is this a good allocation of days? We're not into museums, and are quite fit so can 'chiong' and see more in a day. Want to have some nice Italian food too
I also read how you can buy tickets for the regional train on the spot which are really cheap? Any experience with this? Trying to travel as cheaply as possible.
With regards to accommodation in Venice, should I stay in Venice itself? We will probably Airbnb(though seems a little pricey in Venice compared to other cities).
Thanks!
Hi bro, congrats to your oncoming trip!
MILAN: There isn’t really much going on in Milan for me but each to his own in this case…Milan Duomo is really one place which you should go and feel the pulse of Italy’s economic powerhouse around that area. If high end fashion is your thing, you can head the area around Via Montenapoleone (I cheapo…only go outlets). Or consider taking a train to the scenic Lake Como?
Given your last minute schedule, unlikely you will be able to buy the ‘normal’ ticket to see the Last Supper. Unless you don’t mind paying for a guided tour which includes some other attractions too (normal ticket is 8 Euro whereas tour one will be 30 to 50 Euro!), you can try your luck at the official website here nevertheless.
http://www.vivaticket.it/index.php?nvpg[tour]&id=744&wms_op=cenacoloVinciano
VENICE: 2 nights is good space of time but of course 1 night is possible too but you must really know what you want to see. Because finding where you want to go is one thing, doing that with loads of people around is another (picture yourself in a crowded MRT train cabin). If 2 nights, then spending 1 day getting lost in the streets and the other maybe to nearby island like Burano or Murano. Food wise, I find the restaurants here to be way overpriced and err…touristy so it’s really a hit or miss. The pizza in Venice is the cheaper makan option, not-Napoli-goodie-good type but good enough.
Things are a little cheaper when away from the main island. Dessert wise, this has proven to be good for me.
http://www.wanderlex.com/gem-in-pasticceria-rio-marin/
CINQUE TERRE: Similarly, 2 nights is nice too unless you intend to hike a lot over here. I suppose most likely you will be doing village-hopping, just buy Cinque Terre Card for unlimited train ride once you reach the La Spezia station. I love the scenic place to bits but the tour groups coming in from every direction made my experience a little less stellar. But no doubt this is a really beautiful place and definitely must-see.
FLORENCE: Do you intend to just explore Florence only and not any of the nearby town or city? Shopping?
ROME: 4 nights in Rome + Vatican will definitely be enough, prepare for lots of walking from Colosseum onwards. I may cut 1 day here to add another in Florence but it really depends on what you want to see.
Usually the cheaper long distance train tickets (Super Economy) will be on sales around 60 days in advance and ticket price from Florence to Rome will be only around 19 Euro. But usually they are snapped up very fast. If regional trains then I think the price seems to be the same, advance purchase or not…
Yes, EVERYTHING in Venice is expensive. I had stayed both outside and in Venice during different trips there, what I can say is the lodging outside the main island, say Venezia Mestre area will be cheaper and rooms are modern + bigger + newer, most accommodation inside Venice main island will be small (or cozy LOL). It’s easy on transport too because of the frequent trains or buses heading to Venice. The thing I like about staying in Venice’s main island is when the crowd disappears at night, it becomes so quiet (even most Italians don’t stay here) and the street lamps and the rivers combination make it a wonderful experience to stroll.