We will be traveling with a group in early July and will depart the group in Milan having already spent 3 days there and seen this city. We have 6 days on or own (family of 4 with older teens) need to spend our 6th night back in Milan to catch our morning flight. Looking for more off the beaten path type itinerary for 5 nights.
Thinking either Cinque Terre for 3 nights and Venice for 2 with more focus on the Murano/Burano islands in Venice to avoid too many crowds. Or - up north for 2-3 nights on one of the lakes (or even into Switzerland such as Lugano) and then over to Venice islands.
Too many things to see and too little time! Verona sounds lovely as well and we can maybe make a quick stop there on our way back to Milan. Swimming needs to be on the itinerary at least one day, as possible. Input is appreciated as I have a hard time narrowing it down to 2 locations!
Thanks!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16338 posts
By swimming do you mean beach time, or are there competitive swimmers among the group who need pool time? If the latter,,there are two nice public pools in Venice where my husband has done lap swimming during our visits there. Both are well out of the tourist area.
This one is on Giudecca and it really beautiful, with a wall of windows looking out to the lagoon.
http://www.rarinantesvenezia.it/attivita.php?id_attivita=21
The other is in Cannareggio near the Sant' Elena vaporetto stop.
It is around €6 per swim and a bit difficult to figure out the lap swim schedule, but worth it for dedicated swimmers. They need swim caps and shower shoes (plastic flipflops).
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you, Lola! I will keep the pools in mind - but she is not a dedicated swimmer - just wants more relaxation/beach/lake time as opposed to the museum scene. However - the pools may be an option.
Thanks again!
Posted by
NY, NY
500 posts
Is it true men will need proper swimsuits and not just shorts to swim there? What constitutes a proper swimsuit - a speedo? I have a pair of swim shorts that do no have a net lining, they look like normal (lightweight) athletic shorts.
Posted by
Honolulu, HI
180 posts
If I had 6 days I would Venice, Verona, Padua, Ravenna and skip Cinque Terre. it's an easy, fast train to the east side of Italy. Verona, Padua and Ravenna are both worth a day and that leaves three for Venice.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Day 1 Padua
Day 2 Padua (excursion to Vicenza)
Day 3 Venice
Day 4 Venice
Day 5 Verona
Day 6 Milan
Posted by
Vermont
334 posts
Or what about:
Florence and Santa Margherita Ligure then Milan for last night? Could day trip from Santa ML to CT.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32213 posts
cracara,
If your trip is taking place this July, it's probably too late to find accommodations in the Cinque Terre. As beach time is important, you may be able to find something in Levanto or one of the small towns north of there, but you'll need to get something booked soon. Levanto also has a great beach and is only about five minutes from Monterosso, the first of the C.T. towns. You could also stay in Levanto and use the beach in Monterosso.
If you decide to stay in that area, I'd skip Venice this time as it will take the better part of a day to travel from the C.T. to Venice. You could make a loop from the C.T. to Florence and then back to Milan, as the travel times are reasonably short.