Route notes
Why this routing works
This itinerary uses a simple open-jaw structure across Europe: fly from San Francisco into Milan, travel overland to Dublin, then fly back to San Francisco. That setup avoids doubling back within Europe and keeps the transatlantic flying to two long-haul sectors.
Over four weeks, the pacing leaves room between the eastbound arrival in Italy and the westbound return from Ireland. The surface sector from Milan to Dublin also separates the two flown legs cleanly, which can make ticketing more efficient than adding another Europe flight back to the departure city.
In economy, the routing is straightforward and easy to read on one ticket: an outbound to continental Europe, an overland transfer to a second departure point, and a direct return to the US. September timing also places the trip late in the northern summer schedule window.