1

Florence is more important than just a day trip.

2

You realize the whole "Last Supper experience" will take about 45 minutes--from arriving early to getting de-humidified, to spending 15 whopping minutes of quality face time with the painting and being booted out--right?

You could use the rest of that day to shop. Rather than spend 4 nights of your Italian week in Milan. It's no one's favorite major Italian city.

Depending on what time your Last Supper appointment is on Sunday, I'd consider arriving in Milan...on Sunday. Giving you more time in two cities that have legions of fans. They also both have the same designer stores you'll find in Milan, if that's where you were planning on shopping.

The base price for a return trip between Florence and Venice on the fast train--the train you'd have to take for a day trip to make any sense at all--is 86 euro. That's a lot of money to wander for a few hours and say you've been. Maybe you can score a "Mini" fare by booking in advance, maybe not.

Nearby Padova would make infinitely more sense as a day trip from Venice. Vicenza, too.

In all 3 cities, there aren't much in the way of unsafe neighborhoods--only unsafe behaviours.

3

Agree with all above.

If you want to go to Florence (and you should)...then 3 nights in Venice,3 in Florence (its crazy to do that as a day trip from Venice!) and the final day and night in Milan.

4

With 1 day in Milan...you can see the Last Supper,walk around the centre and shop as well...or as Craig says above you wil find pretty much all the same shops in Venice and Florence.

There are loads of hotels in your price range,and there are no parts of these cities (at least where there are hotels and where tourists go)that are not 'safe'.

5

Wow, thanks for the input. I do realize seeing The Last Supper will be a quick event, so this other information is good. I will take all into consideration, I keep getting conflicting information on Milan. I want to spend more than one day in Milan, and I don't want that day to be the day I'm leaving (smile). Will definitely rejigger the trip and make Florence a longer piece of my trip. Hate that I'm running out of days. Thanks again.!

6

In September 2009, I stayed at Hotel Canada in Venice - it's in the Rialto Bridge area, so good location. I believe we paid 100 euros per night for two of us.
I don't think they have a website, but I think you can find them on Venere.com and/or Trip Advisor.

7

I want to spend more than one day in Milan

Any particular reason (asked the resident of Milan)?
Most travelers find Venice and Florence far more rewarding destinations.

On the other hand, if you're not keen on Renaissance art, consider skipping Florence entirely. 3 destinations in one week is a bit much for me. And Milan isn't totally bereft of charm. But it does pale in comparison.

8

It's no one's favorite major Italian city.

Well, it's mine, but I agree that for travellers it's much less interesting.

Browsing past threads is always a good way to use this website. I posted a lot on what to see and do in Milan, so I won't repeat what I already wrote, unless you have specific questions.

But let me stress again: one day in Milan is a little rewarding way to explore this place. Again, I agree you can use your time in a more enjoyable way in Florence (I am no fan of Venice).

9

I'm surprised to read that you prefer Milan to Florence. Though I'm not quite sure I believe you.

And the only reason you're no fan of Venice because you haven't been there with me. Poverina!

See, I'm picking up words here and there...

10

Artists like Michelangelo and Corravagio etc. who had to go on the lamb, did important works where the ended up.
i.e. Milan, Sicaly and others. Sometimes fresco that couldn't be moved to museums.

11

I wouldn't define Florence 'a major Italian city' in terms of size and population (not in terms of fame). Leaving aside the issue of beauty, I'm not sure a city with over one million inhabitants may be fairly compared with a city (town?) with fewer than 400,000 inhabitants. In other words, I do find that Florence looks like more beautiful than Milan, and I do love it, too but, as I said, I don't feel it belongs to the category of a 'major city'. Rome is also undoubtedly more beautiful than Milan, but it's not my favourite.

However, since these are very special and personal reasons, and since love for Milan is a feeling which needs time (sometimes a lot of time) to develop (but then it becomes an addiction), I never recommend that Milan should be included in a first-time journey to Italy, while I quite agree that Venice, which I don't love, is much more rewarding for a tourist.

So, I cannot remember I ever posted to say that Milan should be visited, but I remember I only post when somebody says there's nothing to see and do in Milan, which is obviously an ignorant statement, since - just as an example - it offers more cultural events than Rome. Oh, and I also post when somebody assumes that Milan is nobody's favourite major Italian city :) Poverino!

12

I consider Florence important for the jump start they gave western civilization. And the corruption involved.