The idea was to make a 4-stop trip in Italy, in one week – 5 stops if you count the return to Milan. The idea may sound stressful, but it all comes down to organization; if I did it, I’m sure anyone can.
1.Figure out the ideal destinations based on how far they are from each other. For example, we landed in Milan then travelled to Como, then Venice and Florence. It was my first time in Italy so I preferred «bigger» destinations. Rome was left out because our time would be limited and, come on, Rome needs more time to explore.
2. Scan websites for cheap and convenient accommodation. For example, on our first stop in Milan we booked a sweet apartment on AirBnb with the balcony overseeing Duomo (it was right across it, on the Duomo square) and the rent was nicely divided in 5 (we were a group of 5). In Como, it was cheap, but we needed to walk a bit to get to the lake, in Venice it was two alleys away from the Saint Marcus square and in Florence it was right in the old city. I used both AirBnb and Booking.
3. Find your options on train tickets in advance so you can have a schedule and stay organized. Bookmark the most convenient choices timewise.
4. Make an ideal list of everything you want to see or do in each city then double check the train departure times and cross out those you won’t be able to visit (some won’t make the final list, unfortunately). Don’t freak out on what you will be missing and focus on what you’ll be seeing. Enjoy it.
5. Book your tickets for sightseeing in advance. This way you will avoid long lines and save time. Find the closest train stations or the distance between everything and anything that you would like to do close by (restaurants, shops or cafés near a sightseen etc).
6. Go with a looser schedule, allow yourself to be chill. We came across a street party and a festival in Florence because we were just wandering around the city without a plan or reservations. Just don’t lose track of the times you must be checking out or departing.
Click below for the individual cities.
1.Figure out the ideal destinations based on how far they are from each other. For example, we landed in Milan then travelled to Como, then Venice and Florence. It was my first time in Italy so I preferred «bigger» destinations. Rome was left out because our time would be limited and, come on, Rome needs more time to explore.
2. Scan websites for cheap and convenient accommodation. For example, on our first stop in Milan we booked a sweet apartment on AirBnb with the balcony overseeing Duomo (it was right across it, on the Duomo square) and the rent was nicely divided in 5 (we were a group of 5). In Como, it was cheap, but we needed to walk a bit to get to the lake, in Venice it was two alleys away from the Saint Marcus square and in Florence it was right in the old city. I used both AirBnb and Booking.
3. Find your options on train tickets in advance so you can have a schedule and stay organized. Bookmark the most convenient choices timewise.
4. Make an ideal list of everything you want to see or do in each city then double check the train departure times and cross out those you won’t be able to visit (some won’t make the final list, unfortunately). Don’t freak out on what you will be missing and focus on what you’ll be seeing. Enjoy it.
5. Book your tickets for sightseeing in advance. This way you will avoid long lines and save time. Find the closest train stations or the distance between everything and anything that you would like to do close by (restaurants, shops or cafés near a sightseen etc).
6. Go with a looser schedule, allow yourself to be chill. We came across a street party and a festival in Florence because we were just wandering around the city without a plan or reservations. Just don’t lose track of the times you must be checking out or departing.
Click below for the individual cities.