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11 nights in Northern Italy

Posted by on

My daughter & I are flying roundtrip to Milan Oct 15-26, arriving early on the 15th. I'm thinking 3 nights in Milan, the first day to adjust and see the main Milan sites, day two a day trip to Lake Como, day three to the Milan World Expo. Should we make an effort to see that? Or concentrate on the real Italy? Maybe more time in Milan?
We're thinking day 4 to Cinque Terre for 2 nights, 2 nights unscheduled, 3 nights in Venice, and last night in Milan as we're flying out early on the 26th. Any suggestions for the 2 unscheduled nights? We would love to go to Lucca, but we're thinking that's too far out of the way. Like most people, we want to see and experience, and not spend too much time traveling.
We thought of renting a car to explore, but from all I've read on the RS forums, it sounds like trains are the way to go.
We're open to suggestions. Thanks!

Posted by
824 posts

I really enjoyed Verona which is only an hour and a half from Milan. It would be good for day trip or a 1 night stop on the way to Venice.

If you want to add time to Venice and do a day trip, Vicenza and Padova are both interesting. I plan to spend a couple morning hours in Vicenza to see the Teatro Olimpico and then spend the afternoon in Padova. Vicenza is only 30 minutes away from Venice on the Frecciabianca and Padova is even closer.

By the way, I have found that holiday apartment rentals are a much cheaper option in Venice.

Posted by
2822 posts

I agree that Verona or Vicenza are worth a look. We stayed in Vicenza for a week last year, using it as a central jumping off point for easy day trips to Verona & Venice, and fell in love with the place. The town is an attraction in its own right, with lots to see and do, and not as crowded as some of the other tourist centers. Probably a bit cheaper than staying in Venice too.
Concur that trains are the way to go.

Posted by
15807 posts

I might suggest Bergamo for two of your unscheduled nights. Book an accommodation in Città Alta for a wander about a medieval Italian town with good connections to Milan and other points around the region.

Posted by
7175 posts

Days 1, 2, 3 Milan
Day 4 Verona
Days 5,6,7 Venice
Day 8 Lucca (via Florence)
Days 9, 10 Cinque Terre (via La Spezia)
Day 11 Milan (via Genova)

Posted by
5 posts

Thanks for all the suggestions! I will check out each one and figure out which would work best for us.

Posted by
5211 posts

Astone,

Here are my 2 cents...

  • You may want to go straight to either Venice or Verona upon your arrival.

  • Lake Como & Cinque Terre are truly beautiful but the weather may be
    iffy in October.

  • Traveling to Cinque Terre will take much longer than you think-- 3-4 hours depending which train route you take.

  • You may also visit Padua- an easy 30 minute train ride from Venice.

  • I would leave Milan till the end of your trip.

Enjoy your trip!

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