Travelling to Italy: fly into Tuscany or Milan on New Year's Eve?

Question

We are taking a 2 week trip to celebrate our anniversary in December and have two flight options when we arrive in Italy (from Paris) on New Year's Eve....

1. Fly into Milan at around noon. Rent a car in Milan and drive to Bologna. (3 hour drive)

2. Fly into Tuscany (pisa airport) at 6pm. Rent car and drive to either Sienna, Florence, or somewhere in the countryside.

We've never been to italy and we don't speak italian. One concern is that arriving a bit late on new year's eve might be hard to navigate our way around. For example: maybe things close early....?

In terms of ease and general New Year's Eve fun.... can anyone recommend option 1 or 2.............. and why?

Answer 1

Well it's a shame that the flights weren't the other way around... Pisa at noon and Milano at 6pm the choice would defo be Pisa.

I have been to both places and I can tell you that the amount of traffic on the motorway around Milano is horrendous! They call it the rat run and is definitley not for the faint hearted. Is it definitley Milano Malpense airport and not Milano Bergamo? because if it was Bergamo, it's not so bad as it's not so busy.

If you chose the Milano option, 3 hours on New Years Eve is not enough time- bank on 4-5 hours to be sure.

Milano by the way is a nightmare to drive in and very difficult to find hotels even with a map! So try and avoid staying there.

Its also not the prettiest of places to visit in Italy unless you are a real fashion guru.

Pisa is much easier and I have to say the nicer option. it's very easily accessible and much quieter, but it's a pity it's so late- you don't have a lot of time before midnight to arrive get the car and drive to Florence to be relaxed in time for midnight which is a pity because Florence is wonderful and the area of Tuscany is just beautiful.

I guess that whatever you decide I would have to say make sure you check the car hire desks are open till the last flight arrives(Pisa & Bergamo are very small airports and this might be a problem) Also, make absolutley sure you have your accomodation booked and at the very least a reservation for dinner or you just might end up feeling like you've wasted your New Years Eve.

What about flying to and staying in Pisa even for just a couple of nights for New year and then continuing on to Florence?

Or... and this would be MY preference... Venezia! Its wonderful at New Year!

Wherever you go, I can assure you Italy is a wonderful place to go and you will have a great holiday whatever.

Happy holidays!

Answer 2

I've been to Italy and all the places that you have mentioned.  My personal opinion is to fly into Tuscany.  Almost everyone in the major area's will speak enough English to get you around.  The Tuscany route will be more scenic and laid back, but if you are wanting more of a party/urban feel do the Milan route.  

Of all the places that I visited while in Italy, Florence was the best...next to Venice!  So yes...my vote goes to the Tuscany route...much more romantic!

Answer 3

woow you are confused about your holiday who planned it for you, you are going to have a terrible time if you dont make up your itinary quickly

Answer 4

I'm from Italy, Ilive in the north, and I suggest to fly into Tuscany because it's just our best region to see for turists. Pisa itself is very cool, but Florence is just the best! There's much to see and it's very romantic as you are going there for your anniversary. You must go visit Florence across its little streets with a coach drawn by horses, it's  really a must just like taking a Gondola along Venice's canal.

What to do to have fun on the 31st?

Well, here we just get a reservation in some kind of restaurant, because on new year's eve places are very very populated, so you risk not to find any place to go, but maybe you could just eat somewhere (In tuscany it won't be hard to find a good restaurant), and then you guys cold go to a discoteque and have some fun, you know just dancing, and drinking sparkling wine and count the seconds before the new years with all the people... But if you do not like dancing or you don't want to see so many crazy Italian people screaming and jumping around, you can also go downtown and wait for midnight visiting around (there will be alot of other people) and then look at all the fireworks we have at the beginning of the new year.

I did not tell you to go to Milan and then to Bologna because they are places you go much more if you want to buy some expensive clothes and see all the people who wear them... It's just very cool, but it's not so interesting if you wanna see something that Italy can be proud of (I mean art, and typical things).

Then, if that's the 1st time you come here, Tuscany is a good place to start!!!

Have fun for your trip... I'm sure you will!

Hope I helped you guys out... See ya!

Answer 5

I stay near Florence...Tuscany is very beautiful...!

Answer 6

Hi I have lived in Italy,

and I know it very well It depends on you, you have to make up your mind to decide what to see and what to do...

My opinion is to fly to Tuscany because it is so wonderful, but if you like driving and have a trip around North and middle Italy you can fly to Milan rent a car there and drive trough the country to Tuscany Milan Florence ET I think 4.30h 5h but wonderful landscape and on new year's eve there isn't a lot of traffic,

I have a contactable mail on Answer fell free to contact me if you want some more information, I will be glad to help more.