Need some help planning a trip to this area of Europe. The one caveat is my flight from the U.S. will be round trip to Milan. It's just me and my wife, mid-30s. We've visited Italy before (Lake Como, Venice, Tuscany, and Rome). The rough plan would be stick to Northern Italy (open to destinations maybe another Lake region or Piedmont region) and visit major areas of Austria. Switzerland could be option if logistics force us through it. Because of the round trip out of Milan, I figured we could start or stop in Vienna via an inexpensive flight. We enjoy architecture, history, some hiking, food, and wine. Any help is appreciated.
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3349 posts
Don't discount the Veneto and Dolomites. Padova, Vicenza, Verona, Bolzano are all worthwhile cities that all offer great sights, wonderful food and spectacular hiking.
Posted by
226 posts
Among my favorite places in northern Italy are Valle d'Aosta (Alps) and Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino (Riviera) areas.
I would choose Switzerland before Austria if you've never been to either. But Vienna and Salzburg are fantastic, especially for history and architecture. And, Salzburg is a great base for Hallstatt and the Salzkammergut lake district and Berchtesgaden mountains and WWII history.
Posted by
Washington DC
28934 posts
The hill town of Bergamo is only about an hour from Milan by public transportation.
Posted by
not here anymore
631 posts
before we get carried away......
DATE??
(this is a very weather dependent region)
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Beginning of May
Posted by
not here anymore
631 posts
A side journey to Vienna would be a waste of time and money - it's a long way east, but everything else could work. May could be a little cool at altitude and in parts of Austria but July can be wet so let's not quibble. The important thing is that there will be daylight (you would not believe how many people are asking about this area for the darkest weeks of the year!). And almost all the mountain passes will be open, although some closures could linger on to June.
First step depends on what time the plane is due in. Someone has already mentioned Bergamo, not a bad idea, although not really a hill town it does have good access into the southern fringes of the mountains and to some lakes. Also Bolzano/Bozen (allow 3-4 hours from Malpensa) which is very under-rated and well positioned for exploring. But it has an ethnic austrian culture and if you wanted variety may not work with a continuation to Austria. Trento (slightly nearer to Malpensa) would be a compromise between Bergamo and Bozen, still real italian and with access to both Lake Garda and parts of the Dolomites.
You could start Bergamo (italian and convenient) and then move via Bozen into the Vinschgau valley and believe you were in austria - but not actually go there! At the far west end of Vinschgau is the town of Mals which has a Swiss Postbus connection every couple of hours to get you into southeastern Switzerland. Using the Glacier Express train you can move west to Brig and then on to Martigny (french speaking area) and take a bus across the Grand St Bernhard route into Piedmont, I think they run via the tunnel if the pass is blocked.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
For your time in May I would concentrate on Dolomites, Lake Garda, Stresa, aosta area. U do not say how much time. If u have more time then link parts of austria with the dolomites. All very beautiful imo.
Posted by
NYC area
3036 posts
I would visit the Dolomites, Sud Tirol ((Vinschgau/Val Venosta) and then the Oetztal and/or the Innsbruck area of Austria.
Paul