01/
Arrive in Milan +
Central Milan
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Late morning arrival. Check-in at lodging and/or drop bags
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Duomo di Milano
- ​Museo del Duomo
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle
02/
Travel by Train to
Cinque Terre
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Morning: Train from Milan to Manarola, Cinque Terre
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Afternoon:
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Check-in at Air BnB
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Grocery Shop
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Explore Manarola & Riomaggiore
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03/
Hike the Cinque Terre
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Hike Manarola to Corniglia
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Explore Corniglia
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Hike Corniglia to Vernazza
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Explore Vernazza; lunch
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Train from Vernazza to Monterosso
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Explore Monterosso, train back to Manarola
04/
Day Trip to Santa Margherita & Portofino
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Travel by train to Santa Margherita
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Explore Santa Margherita.
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Travel by bus to Portofino
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Explore Portofino
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Return to Manarola
TIP: We left Friday night and arrived Sunday morning, traveling from West Coast USA. Factor this in when counting total days of trip.
TIP: The 5 towns in Cinque Terre are all gorgeous but Manarola was our favorite. Quiet, far fewer tourists, & good starting point for hikes.
05/
Travel to Florence via Pisa
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Morning: Travel by train to Pisa, view leaning tower of Pisa, travel to Florence
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Check-in Air BnB, grocery shop
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Afternoon: Piazza del Duomo, Florence
06/
Florence
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Uffizi Gallery
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Piazza della Signoria & Santa Trinita
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Museo Nazionale del Bargello
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Galleria Dell’Accademia (Statue of David)
07/
Florence
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Ponte Vecchio
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Boboli Gardens & Pitti Palace
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Piazzale Michelangelo
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Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence
08/
Travel from Florence to Venice + Venice
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Morning: Travel by train to Florence
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Check-in to lodging
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Piazza San Marco & the Torre dell’Orologio
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Basilica di San Marco
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Campanile di San Marco
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Rialto Bridge
TIP: Pisa is packed with tourists. Just a quick stop on our way to Florence was fine with us.
TIP: With just over 2 full days in Florence, it was less expensive to buy individual tickets instead of the City pass to museums.
TIP: There are an overwhelmingly large number of museums to visit in Florence. Our advice is to pick a few only, take your time and enjoy, and then skip the rest.
09/
Venice + Travel to Como
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Morning: Get "lost" in the City of canals
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Afternoon:
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Travel by train to Como
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Check-in Air BnB
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Dinner in Central Como
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10/
Como
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Basilica di San Fedele
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Duomo
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Walk down by water
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Take the Funicular to Brunate
11/
Day trip to Lugano, Switzerland
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Take a self-guided walking tour City:
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Waterfront​
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Giardino Belvedere
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Church of St. Mary of the Angels
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Via Nassa (shopping street)
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12/
Lake Como
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Ferry to Bellagio
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Ferry to Varenna
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Kayak on Lake Como
TIP: By this point in the trip, it is nice to take a break and have a chill day. Como is quiet and has far less tourists than other towns on Lake Como. It's a perfect place to take a stroll or grab an espresso at a café.
13/
Travel Como to Milan + 1/2 Day Milan
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Morning: Travel by train to Milan
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Drop bags at Air BnB
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Sforzesco Castle
14/
Travel Home
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Grab some pastries on your way out to the airport - it may be a long time before you again taste such heavenly goodies
TIP: We were never able to get tickets for The Last Super. I'm sure it is beautiful to see but we heard it's a crowded and quick experience. For us, it was OK to skip.
BLOGS- ITALY
