I just learned this week that my company is having our mid year meeting in Milan and the meetings will wrap up on Thursday, May 29 after which my wife of 30+years and I are planning to take 2 weeks to tour Italy.
I very much need some advice on vacationing in Italy and would appreciate any first hand recommendations on making the most of our 2 weeks.
My initial thoughts and plans:
Flight: Houston to Milan – Tour Italy – Finish in Rome and take flight from Rome to Houston.
Start on Friday May 29 - Milan to Venice by train.
Venice to Cinque Terra
Cinque Terra to Florence
Florence to Siena
Siena to Rome
Rome to Houston on Friday Jun 12.
Questions:
-Do my wife and I do it on our own? i.e. train reservations, hotels, etc?
-Instead, do we try and hook up with a Tour Group so as to do-away with most of the hassle of finding hotels, train/bus schedule-reservations, etc?
-Right now, the plans that are firm are that we begin in Milan on Friday May 29 and depart Italy and return to Houston on Friday June 12.
I sincerely would appreciate advice on:
1. Must see cities/areas to visit and why.
2. Traveling between cities by train or bus (or combo of the 2)
3. Utilizing tour companies/groups or doing it on-our-own. Our perhaps a combination of us on-our-own for some of the trip as well as utilizing tour companies for some of the trip.
4. Any must-see cigar venues (LCDH, B&M’s, restaurants or even park benches to stop for an hour or two to enjoy a cigar. I will pack some of my own sticks in my trusty cigar caddy.
Any advice from the BOTL community will sincerely be appreciated.
I very much need some advice on vacationing in Italy and would appreciate any first hand recommendations on making the most of our 2 weeks.
My initial thoughts and plans:
Flight: Houston to Milan – Tour Italy – Finish in Rome and take flight from Rome to Houston.
Start on Friday May 29 - Milan to Venice by train.
Venice to Cinque Terra
Cinque Terra to Florence
Florence to Siena
Siena to Rome
Rome to Houston on Friday Jun 12.
Questions:
-Do my wife and I do it on our own? i.e. train reservations, hotels, etc?
-Instead, do we try and hook up with a Tour Group so as to do-away with most of the hassle of finding hotels, train/bus schedule-reservations, etc?
-Right now, the plans that are firm are that we begin in Milan on Friday May 29 and depart Italy and return to Houston on Friday June 12.
I sincerely would appreciate advice on:
1. Must see cities/areas to visit and why.
2. Traveling between cities by train or bus (or combo of the 2)
3. Utilizing tour companies/groups or doing it on-our-own. Our perhaps a combination of us on-our-own for some of the trip as well as utilizing tour companies for some of the trip.
4. Any must-see cigar venues (LCDH, B&M’s, restaurants or even park benches to stop for an hour or two to enjoy a cigar. I will pack some of my own sticks in my trusty cigar caddy.
Any advice from the BOTL community will sincerely be appreciated.
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