Four adults, traveling to Northern Italy at the end of June for 1 week. We are flying into Milan and staying in Menaggio for 4 nights, we will not have a car. What other town can we get to, by public transportation, that would be worth using for our home base for 2 nights? We will stay the last night at a hotel near the Milan airport.
Any suggestions
Thank you,
Josie
Posted by
Green Bay
20950 posts
Maybe take the ferry to Varenna, then the train to Tirano and Bernina Express (or regular train) to Pontresina for some high mountain scenery.
Posted by
California 🦋
5289 posts
Hi Josie,
How about Verona, Padua or Venice?
Having said this, 2 nights in not very long, and will only give you one full day in whatever place you choose.
While in Menaggio, you can visit the other lakeside villages such as Varenna and Bellagio via ferry.
Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years
1170 posts
Stay in Menaggio. The posters are right. You move for 2 nights and you get to visit something for 1 full day.
You can bus to Lugano, Switzerland and train into Como.
Take the ferry all over the Lake, including Bellagio.
Ride the gondola and hike in Como.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Thank you so much for your suggestions! I was thinking we should not go far from Menaggio, because we will waste our last few days traveling! Maybe lake Lugano, it's close?
Posted by
Saint Helens, OR, USA
304 posts
We enjoyed taking the ferry to Bellano, just north of Varena, on that side of the lake. There is an ancient gorge that is free to walk through, located at the top of the village near the cemetary. Dinosaur bones were found in the gorge years ago. Walkways have been built so it's a very safe and easy walk. Really cool.
We stayed in Varenna a few years ago. It was beautiful and a wonderful base for exploring the area. But for a daytrip, it will only require a few of hours, if that. There are some okay restaurants in the village, but nothing more notable than what you'd find in Menaggio.
The lake boats can take you anywhere you want to go. Extremely scenic. Bellagio is a must too.