Our 35th wedding anniversary trip plans so far:
May 25th Arrive Milan 1300 hours-train to Varenna
May 25th-June 1st staying one week in a little apt. in Varenna
June 1st -June 5th is up in the air
June 5th-June 9th 4 nocs in B&B in Santa Margherita Ligure to take in the area including Cinque Terre
June 9th-Milan one night before flying home
We started going to Italy in 1972 about once a decade. However, we have never been to the Lakes area nor Italian Rivera area. We want to have a slower trip this time. We need your input on suggestions for the 4 nights. We looked at Torino for a few days June 1st to 5th or stay in a small village close by there? We are traveling by train and still need to figure out the train schedules.
Also, I just realized that the EXPO is in Milan and thought about that for June 1st noc; however, June 2nd is National Italy holiday and I think that the larger sights e.g. EXPO might be ever so crowed. Thank you for taking your time to respond.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11315 posts
Torino is nice and often overlooked. We haven't even spent enough time there yet. I think you might explore the city for a couple of days and then look to a daytrip into the mountains. The Automobile Museum is fantastic, BTW. This would give you a city experience sandwiched between too more rural/resort stays. And brava for staying longer in a few places. That's what we do too!
Another thought is Bologna, with the possibility of day trips to Ferrara and/or Ravenna.
Finally, I would not shy away from Milan. No one here seems to know what to expect from crowds at EXPO or if there will be crowds. It might be a unique experience few Americans will enjoy. If you can get a room in Milan, it might be worth the effort.
Posted by
OP
California
5 posts
Thank you Laurel for taking time to respond. I am going to take your recommendations. Alice
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I am staying away from Milano this year because hotel prices have skyrocketed due to Expo. You could stay nearby and take the train into Milano if you can't find a reasonable room rate in the city.
Posted by
1 posts
Alicia,
Turin is a large city, a nice one, but with just 4 days I suggest you head to the lakes. Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore are beautiful. Lake Como is my favorite, I will be there 3 weeks in May. If you stay in Varenna or Como, you can take the train to Milan (about 1 hour). Varenna is a short boat ride from Bellagio which is a must-see. Myself, I will be in both cities, but Como is a little closer to Milan and Como is a nice medium-size city with a lot of restaurants.
G. Flesher
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11315 posts
gsflesher, she's already booked a week in Varenna....
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Asti is a nice little town not far from Torino, 35 minutes by train.