Lake Como Itinerary

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last revision 6/24/25

Monday, October 13th —

REVISED Train Milan to Lake Cuomo, leave 2:13 pm, Milano Cadorna, Trenord #RE 2147, arrive Lake Como 3:14 pm, 2nd class, 3 adults

REVISED Stay Airbnb Apartment, Lake Como (confirmation with cost / pics of property)

REVISED — Things to Do
Tour Villa del Balbianello
Greenway del Lago di Como
Museo Degli Strumenti Per La Navigazione
Villa Carlotta
I Giardini di Villa Melzi
Bellagio Express
Ferry Service

Sunday, October 19th —

TBA Train Lake Como to Milan Central Station
REVISED Waiting until I know Wanda’s departure flight day and time

REVISED TBA Rich/Paul airporter bus from Milan Central Station to BGY airport

REVISED TBA Wanda airporter bus from Milan Central Station to MXP airport

REVISED TBA Wanda stay hotel near MXP

Rich/Paul Stay Orio al Serio Hotel Milan BGY Airport, (more information, pics of property)

Monday, October 20th — 

REVISED Tentative? - Wanda leaves Milan MXP 11:40 am

Paul & Rich fly Milan-Bergamo BGY to Cairo, Egypt, Air Arabia Egypt #E5543, leave 12:10 pm, arrive 4:55 pm.

Milan Itinerary

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last revision 6/24/25

Thursday, October 9th — 

Train Venice to Milan, leave 11:48 am Venezia Santa Lucia, Frecciarossa #9728, arrive Milano Centrale 2:15 pm, Super Economy, 3 seniors

REVISED - Added Dolly ticket for train Venice to Milan, leave 11:48 am Venezia Santa Lucia, Frecciarossa #9728, arrive Milano Centrale 2:15 pm, Super Economy, 1 adult

REVISED - Stay Milan Alla Casa Di Gio, confirmed 4 people in 2 rooms, (confirmation with cost / pics of property)

Friday, October 10th — 

REVISED — Things to Do
Palazzo Citterio
Duomo di Milano
Museo del Novecento
Pinacoteca Ambrosiana
Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology
Poldi Pezzoli Museum
Pinacoteca di Brera
GAM - Galleria d'Arte Moderna
Teatro alla Scala
Sforzesco Castle
Parco Sempione
Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie
Piazza Mercanti
Yes - Your Guide to the City

Sunday, October 12th —

REVISED Dolly leaves Milan 11:40 am

Monday, October 13th —

REVISED Train Milan to Lake Cuomo, leave 2:13 pm, Milano Cadorna, Trenord #RE 2147, arrive Lake Como 3:14 pm, 2nd class, 3 adults

Venice Itinerary

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last revision 6/24/25

Monday, October 6th — 

Train Rome to Venice, leave 11:55 Rome Termini, Italo #8914, arrive Venice Santa Lucia 3:55 pm, Prima Business, 4 adults
REVISED NOTE: Luggage on the vaporetto vaporetto (water bus) (map) is allowed from Santa Lucia train station in Venice, maximum size 150cm (combined length, width, and height). Be prepared to carry your luggage up and down stairs at piers and over bridges, as not all vaporetto stops are easily accessible. Alternatively, water taxi is available. Storing extra luggage at the train station is an option. 

Stay Airbnb Venice, 2 bedroom apartment, bedroom #1-Rich/Paul $189.66, bedroom #2-Wanda/Dolly $126.44. (confirmation with cost / pics of property)

Tuesday, October 7th —

REVISED - Venice Museum Pass - (3 seniors €22, 1 adult €40), ticket purchased, more info

Allows entry to all of the following museums:

THE MUSEUMS OF PIAZZA SAN MARCO

  • Palazzo Ducale (AKA Doge's Palace), open every day. Opening hours: from November 1 to March 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (last admission 5:00 p.m.); from April 1 to October 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (last admission 6:00 p.m.).
    Important Note: Entry to Doge's Palace may be only between noon and 5 pm using pass — to be confirmed.

  • Museo Correr, open every day. Opening hours: from November 1 to March 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last admission 4:00 p.m.); from April 1 to October 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (last admission 5:00 p.m.).

  • Museo Archeologico Nazionale, open every day. Opening hours: from November 1 to March 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last admission 4:00 p.m.); from April 1 to October 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (last admission 5:00 p.m.).

  • Sale Monumentali della Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana, open every day. Opening hours: from November 1 to March 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last admission 4:00 p.m.); from April 1 to October 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (last admission 5:00 p.m.).

OTHER CIVIC MUSEUMS IN VENICE

  • Ca' Rezzonico, Museo del Settecento Veneziano, closed on Tuesdays. Opening hours: from November 1 to March 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last admission 4:00 p.m.); from April 1 to October 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (last admission 5:00 p.m.).

  • Casa di Carlo Goldoni, closed on Wednesdays. Opening hours: from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (last admission 3:30 p.m.).

  • Museo di Palazzo Mocenigo e Centro Studi di Storia del Tessuto e del Costume, closed on Mondays. Opening hours: from November 1 to March 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last admission 4:00 p.m.); from April 1 to October 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (last admission 5:00 p.m.).

  • Ca' Pesaro, International Gallery of Modern Art + Museum of Oriental Art, closed on Mondays. Opening hours: from November 1 to March 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last admission 4:00 p.m.); from April 1 to October 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (last admission 5:00 p.m.).

  • Museo Fortuny, closed on Tuesdays. Opening hours: from November 1 to March 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last admission 4:00 p.m.); from April 1 to October 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (last admission 5:00 p.m.).

  • Museo del Vetro - Murano, open every day. Opening hours: from November 1 to March 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last admission 4:00 p.m.); from April 1 to October 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (last admission 5:00 p.m.).

  • Museo del Merletto - Burano, closed on Mondays. Opening hours: from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (last admission 3:30 p.m.).

  • Museo di Storia Naturale, closed on Mondays. Opening hours: from October 1 to May 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last admission 4:00 p.m.); from June 1 to September 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (last admission 5:00 p.m.).

Wednesday, October 8th —

REVISED - Morning - See Venice Museum Pass Above

REVISED - Afternoon - Peggy Guggenheim Collection: Fast Track Ticket purchased, anytime, more info

REVISED - Early dinner (late, late lunch) - Taverna Scalinetto - Ristorante, reservation TBA, more info

REVISED - Evening 7pm - Chiesa della Pietà - Santa Maria della Visitazione: Vivaldi "Four Seasons" Concert, tickets purchased, more info

Thursday, October 9th — 

Train Venice to Milan, leave 11:48 am Venezia Santa Lucia, Frecciarossa #9728, arrive Milano Centrale 2:15 pm, Super Economy, 3 seniors

REVISED Dolly’s ticket ADDED ON, leave 11:48 am Venezia Santa Lucia, Frecciarossa #9728, arrive Milano Centrale 2:15 pm, Super Economy

Photo by Thomas Haas on Unsplash

Rome Itinerary

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last revision 6/24/25

Wednesday, October 1st — 

Train Assisi to Rome, leave 12:13pm Assisi, Regionale Veloce #4725, arrive Rome Termini 14:40 pm, cost 1st class 3 seniors, 1 adult

Stay Augusta Lucilla Palace Hotel, Rome, 5 nights, 2 rooms, superior double, US$3,062.50 (confirmation with cost / pics of property).

TBA dinner Trattoria Da Teo, Piazza dei Ponziani, for reservations call (only) Phone: +39 06 5818355, more info

Thursday, October 2 —
9 AM - Santa Maria Maggiore (leave hotel at 8:30 am) - tickets purchased, more info

AM - walk-up timing, National Museum Palazzo Massimo alle Terme - tickets purchased, more info
1:30 PM lunch - Marziali 1922 - reservation confirmed, Via Po location, more info
PM walk-up timing, National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art - tickets purchased, more info

Friday, October 3rd —
9 am (leave hotel at 7:45 am) - Vatican Museums, tickets purchased, more info
REVISED reservation confrimed, 1:30 PM lunch Osteria Ragno d'oro, Via Silla, more info

PM free time

Saturday, October 4th —
9 AM (leave hotel at 7:45 am) - Colosseum, Arena Floor, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, tickets purchased, more info

1:30 pm TBA lunch Giggetto, Portico of Octavia [reservation only one month in advance], more info

? PM Capitoline Museums, no tickets purchased, walkup ok, more info

? PM Pantheon, no ticket purchased [reservation only one month in advance], more info

BONUS OPTION National Museum, Palazzo Altemps, ticket purchased, more info

Sunday, October 5th —

TBA - free day

Monday, October 6th — 

Train Rome to Venice, leave 11:55 Rome Termini, Italo #8914, arrive Venice Santa Lucia 3:55 pm, Prima Business, 4 adults

In 2023 We took pics outside the Colossum but didn’t go inside. This time, we’re doing the complete deluxe inside tour! Yippee!

Assisi Itinerary

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last revision 6/24/25

Sunday, September 28th — 

Bus Florence (Villa Costanza), Tuscany to Assisi (Santa Maria degli Angeli), Umbria, leave 11:50 am, Flixbus, arrive Assisi 2:15 pm, cost 4 adults

REVISED - Car rental quote (Cross Over, like a Nissa Qashqai or Renault Kadjar), from Noleggi Martinelli - Assisi (closed Sunday), no reservation made

Stay Hotel Ideale, Assisi - 3 nights, 2 rooms - Panorama Room & Triple Room with View, (confirmation with cost / pics of property)

REVISED …if interested… - 6 pm Sunday evening vespers and holy mass - Basilica of St. Francis (10 minutes drive or 16 minutes walk from hotel), more info

Monday, September 29th —

REVISED AM Basilica of St. Francis, start in Lower Plaza,  more info

REVISED - Things to Do
top attractions (choose some or none of these)

Basilica Papale e Sacro Convento di San Francesco d'Assisi
Eremo Delle Carceri, more info
Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli, more info
Basilica di Santa Chiara, more info, 2 minutes walk from hotel
Tili Vini Societa Agricola, wine tasting lunch, more info, 
San Damiano, more info
Museo Della Porziuncola, more info
Rocca Maggiore

Roman Forum and Archaeological Museum, more info

more ideas

Tuesday, September 30th —

REVISED AN IDEA - 6:30 am - hot air balloon ride, more info

Free - nothing scheduled

Wednesday, October 1st — 

Train Assisi to Rome, leave 12:13pm Assisi, Regionale Veloce #4725, arrive Rome Termini 14:40 pm, cost 1st class 3 seniors, 1 adult

Photo by Achim Ruhnau on Unsplash

Florence Itinerary

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last revision 6/29/25

Tuesday, September 23rd —

 Paul and Rich arrive in Florence at 10:40 am (Detroit thru Amsterdam on Delta #132 and KLM #9388)

Dolly and Wanda, arrive Florence about noon

Stay Toscanella Royal Suite, Florence - 5 nights, 2 bedroom suite, (confirmation with cost / pics of property)

PM/evening - no ticket required, Piazza del Duomo/Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore ("the" red dome - closes at 3:45pm), 15 min walk from hotel & 3 minutes from there to restaurant, more info

REVISED 5 pm - suggestion - Have beverage @ View on Art Rooftop Cocktail Bar, (in Hotel Medici) more info

REVISED 6:30 pm - Reservation confirmed, dinner, Le Botteghe Di Donatello, 16 minutes from hotel, more info

Wednesday, September 24th —

10 am - Uffizi Gallery (including Varasi Corridor), timed entry ticket purchased, 8 minutes from hotel, more info

REVISED - 2 pm lunch - Il Ricettario, reservation confirmed, 2 minutes from Uffizi, 7 minutes to hotel, more info

REVISED PM - Tentative - Gustapizza dinner, no reservations accepted, long wait to be seated but worth it, carryout available, 2 minutes from hotel, more info

REVISED 9 pm - Concert: Mozart & Rossini at St Mark's Anglican Church, tickets purchased, 2 minutes to hotel, more info

Thursday, September 25th —

REVISED 8:30 am - suggested departure from hotel if walking [Transport option in lieu of walking: https://www.ridemovi.com/]

9:30 am - Accademia Gallery (Michelangelo's statue of David), timed entry - 1 hour, tickets purchased, more info, 21 minute walk from hotel

REVISED 12:30 pm - lunch Osteria Le Pietre - Piazza de Pitti Firenze, reservation confirmed, more info, 22 minutes from Accademia Gallery but only 1 minute to Pitti Palace

REVISED 2 pm - Pitti Palace (Galleria Palatina, Boboli Garden), tickets purchased, more info

Friday, September 26th —

10 am - Museo Nazionale del Bargello, 10 am timed entry, purchased cumulative ticket includes these additional locations anytime Friday or Saturday: Cappelle Medicee, Church & Museum of Orsanmichele (open til 6:30 pm), Museo di Palazzo Davanzati, more info about Museo Bargello

REVISED 1:30 pm - Caffè Italiano, lunch reservation confirmed, more info

Free afternoon

Suggestion: PM - Museum of Palazzo Vecchio (maybe Friday), ticket required, available only one month in advance, more info, 7 minutes walk from restaurant

REVISED Tentative - 6 pm - dinner Osteria Vecchio Vicolo, check back for reservation

REVISED 8:30 pm - The Three Tenors in Concert Nessun Dorma, Santo Stefano al Ponte, VIP tickets purchased, more info

Saturday, September 27th — 

Free Day

REVISED:
Paul/Rich Saturday itinerary (Join us if you want! - but let us know ASAP for tickets!):
…trying to buy tickets!@^!… *AM - National Archaeological Museum of Florence, opens at 8:30 am [over 14K Egyptian artifacts!]
Lunch - Tentative - Trattoria Zà Zà (check back to make 1 pm reservation, only 1 month in advance), 10 minutes walkfrom Archaeological Museum
2:30 PM - Leonardo Science Museum, more info, [Interactive-more info], 9 minutes walk from restaurant, timed entry, tickets purchased - two tickets only
late PM - Cappelle Medicee (close 6:10 pm), more info, 8 minutes walk from Leonardo Interactive
late PM - Orsanmichele (closes 6:30 pm), more info, 7 minutes walk from Medicee
PM - Museum of Palazzo Vecchio (if not Friday), ticket required, available only one month in advance, more info
PM - I Fratellini (sandwich shop), closes at 6 pm, more info
late PM - Giunti Odeon - Libreria e Cinema (bookstore, cinema, cafe), more info
late PM Rivoire (chocolate shop, restaurant too), more info (reservations available)

REVISED  SUGGESTION FOR DOLLY/WANDA IF YOU WANT A DAY OUT OF TOWN: (book direct if interested) 
Dream of Tuscany - full day - Traveling among the cypress landscapes
https://soulfreetravel.com/wool-sweater-lortoo

Other out-of-town day trips available... https://www.tickets-florence.it/chianti-tour-from-florence/

Culinary options... https://www.tickets-florence.it/food-and-drinks/


Sunday, September 28th — 

Bus Florence (Villa Costanza), Tuscany to Assisi (Santa Maria degli Angeli), Umbria, leave 11:50 am, Flixbus, arrive Assisi 2:15 pm, cost 4 adults

See Florence for itinerary