We are a family of 4, including 2 teen boys spending April break week in Italy. We fly in and out of Milan. We had an extended trip to Rome a few years ago with a stint in Sorrento/Amalfi so we do not need to return there. So far, we have booked 3 nights in Venice at the beginning of the trip and 2 nights in Milan before flying out at the end of the trip. This leaves us with 2.5 days to enjoy another location. We are traveling by train and I do not want to gobble up too much time traveling (therefore CT is out). I don't think 2 days is enough time to truly enjoy Florence and hope to bring them back some day (my husband and I have both already been there). Some ideas we have are to go to Bologna and enjoy the food, university town, and car museums or one of the lake towns (Varenna or Sirmione) but, I am concerned it may be too quiet for my boys to enjoy. How is the weather in April in the lakes? Another place that sparks my interest is Trieste (which I know is a haul from Milan so that is why it is low on the list now) or the Bernina Express into Switzerland. We like history, architecture, food, hiking, scenery and want to enjoy the Italian lifestyle, too. Part of me thinks we should extend in Venice or Milan and just take day trips. I know I'm all over the place and it is only 48 hours but, I want to make the right decision. Any advise is appreciated!
Posted by
Washington DC
27568 posts
To minimize train time, I think I'd stick to the Venice-Milan corridor, which has a number of really attractive options, so you're not settling for minor sights here. You have Padua (prebook the Scrovegni Chapel, but I liked wandering around the historic district a lot, too), Vicenza (accessible smallish historic area with Palladian architecture), and Verona. I haven't been to Verona but people seem to really like it.
Or you could add a night to Venice.
And/or add a night in Milan and make a day-trip to Bergamo, a very nice hill-town that will be a different atmosphere from what your other destinations offer.
There's also Lake Garda. I have never traveled to Europe, much less northern Italy, in April and do not know what the early-spring weather will be like. I suspect you may experience some cool and damp weather. I vaguely recall some doubts expressed here about off-season trips to the lakes, but I don't know how "off-season" mid-April is.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Your boys might enjoy Bologna. There are lots of students there, some interesting museums, a leaning tower they can climb (check times for that), plus the things you mentioned nearby.
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3398 posts
I think Verona would be a great way to round out your trip! We've been a couple of times and really enjoy it.