1

I'm confused

Are you saying you have 10 days to do Switzerland, Milan and maybe Venice too, but then have another 18 odd days afterwards (or maybe before) elsewhere, but you're trying to figure out how many days to spend in these 3 European areas?

Unless you're visiting family or have essential business in Milan, I'd bin Milan or minimise it to as few days as possible. General consensus is that it's not the best city in Europe by some distance.

And where in Switzerland are you gonna be and for how long?

2

IM quazi HO yes. Cut out Venice. IT and Florence can be another trip.. (when you learn to do it cheaper.)

They are both super important. But you'll be blown away by where you are anyway.

Congrats on your lifetime contract to picking up the old man's drawers and sox.:)

Ha ha

youtube has bbc documentaries on all those important city states. Easy research. Better to know the why of all that stuff, so it'll mean more when you het there.

Guides can't tell all of it. And not in origeonal duds. When I go into those museum/palaces, I picture bored guards in those days.

Oh! In the background of renaisaance paintings, are little slice of life details. Farners, castles, etc. They are for "atmospheric perspective". In those huge paintings, the castles and farmers are larger so you can get an idea of those lifestyles.

Next trip go on off season. Don't book ahead. Try a hostel or two. They are half the reason I travel any more. I'm 72 yo.

Hostels International have older crowds. With b'fast till 10. And leasurly conversations with those from beyond the black stump.

Have fun. Congrats on the old man's new cook.
hee hee ç("oD>

3

Since you don't mention how long you're obligated to stay in Milan and Switzerland, it's impossible to tell. How many of those 9 nights are spoken for without Venice?

Another relevant factor might be how many "chill out and relax" days you have built into your 4-week itinerary.

Having said that: I find that with no wheeled traffic bigger than a baby carriage, Venice is quite relaxing indeed. Once you get away from the herds of day-trippers. Fortunately, this is quite easily done: just walk 75 meters in any direction the herd isn't heading.

4

Wrong question, wrong focus.

Here's how not have regrets:
1. Enjoy what you do, whatever it is.
2. If that is accomplished, there is no reason to fret about things not done.

5

I also suggest dropping Milan if possible. I feel Florence or Venice would be a better choice.

6

BthDth, I love you answer and your philosophy and I think this has helped clarify it for me! There are certain things we have on the absolute must do list, and I worry adding too many locations may ruin the enjoyment (ie we will be tired and I will get grumpy!!).

To clarify the situation; we will be arriving into Zurich on a Tuesday, and then we will spend 4 nights in Switzerland, probably in the Lake Luzern region (probably stay in Weggis or Vitznau).

We have to be in Milan on the Saturday and Sunday night (to see a football game). We then definitely want to go to Tuscany, Rome and Barcelona and are not wanting to cut down that time. So the option is for those 4/5 nights whether we move about or stay put.

Since posting we have talked about it and I think we both thing staying in Milan is the best option, and we will do day trips from there to Lake Como and anywhere else people may suggest.

7

Hi there,
I would definitely go to Venice above Milan!
Im half Italian, and go to Milan regularly for work. Milan is changing, and there are loads of cool bars/ restaurants, but besides eating, drinking and shopping, there is not much else to do!
Venice is incredibly romantic, and a much better choice for honey moon. Its also way way way more beautiful than Milan.

8

Do I have this right?
You've got 20 days to split between 3 destinations--Rome, Tuscany, Barcelona--and another 10 days to split between 2 or 3 other destinations--Switzerland (okay, a country, not a specific destination), Milan and maybe Venice.

If you could squeeze just one extra day out of those first 20 days, it would be worthwhile to visit Venice.
If you've only got 3 nights--2 full days and change--to play with, it probably wouldn't be worthwhile to visit Venice.
Because you've got to get away from the crowds for Venice to work it's magic. If you spend one day in Piazza San Marco and one day as far the hell away from it as possible, that just may not be magic enough. A third full day to wander, get lost, go to some of the places most tourists don't venture (northern Cannaregio, for example, or the area around the Arsenale) might tip the scales just enough.

Piazza San Marco aside, Venice is a lot more about ambiance than sights. Most day-trippers don't have the time to experience that ambiance. If you won't have the time, I'm afraid I wouldn't bother.

I mention all this as a bona fide lover of Venice (and resident of Milan for two-plus years) who is painfully aware that not everyone shares my enthusiasm.
Anyway, it promises to be more romantic that a football match. Romantic Milan ain't.

9

Venice is so romantic. Yes, if you love wandering around a beautiful town and its islands, travelling by gondola, eating in stunning restaurants, I think you would regret cutting Venice out of your honeymoon. Don't miss Burano either.