Our family, including 6 young adults (8 total) are planning 8-9 days together in July. They have traveled extensively on their own but this is the first visit to Italy for some of them. We are looking to combine cultural activities with scenic beauty. We aren’t looking to sit out on beaches but we do enjoy hiking. Some in our group do not do well with extreme heat (or an abundance of mosquitoes) so that might be a concern during that time of year. Also, we would prefer to travel by public transportation rather than rent cars during this trip.
Our tentative plan is to fly into Milan, head to Venice for 2-3 nights, go to Lake Como for 4 nights and spend the last night near the Milan airport.
We are wondering if Venice might be too hot and crowded in July to adequately enjoy it. We are also wondering if there is enough to do in Lake Como for 4 days. Truthfully, I would love to go to Florence but haven’t found a good way to incorporate it. We would welcome any thoughts about our tentative plan as well as any other suggested itineraries that meet our criteria.
Thank you!
Posted by
Maryland
855 posts
Venice will be very hot and crowded...
If you enjoy hiking you might consider the Dolomite region also known as the South Tirol. It has excellent hiking, food and wine and scenic beauty. It is easily accessible from Venice through Verona and Bolzano.
I will not compare it to the Lake Como region because both have their excellent points, but I believe that the south Tirol is significantly less crowded. I love hiking there. You can check out Gillian Price's hiking/walking guides to the Dolomites for a flavor of what is available.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15579 posts
Venice may not be as hot but it will probably be humid. I suspect there may be mosquitoes. They were a bit of a problem at night on my first visit in mid-October. Since then I've only gone in February. Have you considered going to the Dolomites instead? Cooler temps and great hiking. It's a bit of a trek on public transportation but definitely doable. Maybe 2-3N in Como, then Dolomites and swing back through Venice or Florence on the way to Milan. Depending on the time of your flight, you may even be able to go straight from Como (about an hour's drive) by private transfer. Then you could reverse - take the train to Florence on arrival, then mountains, then Como.
It's pretty easy to avoid the crowds in Venice by staying away from the 2-3 main tourist areas between 10-5. There's a lot of Venice to explore . . .
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
1046 posts
July is hot and humid but (I live in Delaware) it's hot and humid at home too! Italy has GELATO!!!! That will make (most) things bearable. I love Venice and stay there every summer (late July) for at least a week. Yes, it will be crowded but that, and mosquitoes, can be avoided. The cruise ships unload about 10 am. Venice in the early morning is an amazing place. Ride the vaporetto up and down the Grand Canal and watch the city wake up. To avoid a crowd of tourists, simply turn left and wander through the back alleys. There is plenty to see and experience. You're on an island, you can't get that lost! The greatest gift (other than gelato) the Italians gave us is the riposo - an afternoon break from the heat and humidity. Have a leisurely lunch, take a nap, shower and then hit the streets again after 5 o'clock - that's when the cruise ships call everybody back for dinner or departure. Day-trippers from the mainland are also getting ready to leave (they didn't have the luxury of a nap and a shower). The evening in Venice isn't a ghost town but everything slows down and people simply enjoy being in Venice. Go dancing in the Piazza San Marco. Find a cafe along the Giudecca canal or a romantic piazza to enjoy a cool drink. Wait for your body temperature, and temperament, to cool down before heading out for a leisurely, long dinner. Take a late night vaporetto ride. If it's still humid, take the vaporetto to the Lido and back - the breeze will cool you off. There are so many magical aspects of Venice. Don't let the crowds or heat or mosquitoes get in your way. BTW, most hotels have anti-mosquito plug-ins. And Avon's Skin So Soft is a great repellent.
Lake Como? Been there, done that, not on my list anymore. Flying in and out of Milan? Watch airfares - Milan can be really worthwhile but also consider the price and schedule for train tickets to get to Venice. Venice's airport may be an attractive alternative. Enjoy the planning too! It can help the family focus in on priorities and build excitement. Remember: You deserve this!
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11302 posts
If you love to hike and want to avoid heat and mosquitos, head to the Dolomites. From Milan, train to Bolzano and then taxi or bus to the Val Gardena. You can spend one night in Milan on arrival then make the trek the next day as it takes about 4.5 to 5.5 hours. You could easily pass the entire time in the Val Gardena enjoying the outdoors, great food, fabulous transportation, no car required. We go every year. Lake Como is dull by comparison and hotter. I would avoid all cities in July, personally, but you could stop in Verona easily enough on the way to or from the mountains, and check out Bolzano as a day trip should you have a rainy day.
Posted by
OP
New Jersey, USA
6 posts
Thank you so much for sharing all of your input- You have been extremely helpful! When we go to Venice, we now know the “right “ way to experience that amazing city! :) Also, we are now exploring the possibility of heading to the Dolomites. Thank you again!!
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2299 posts
hey hey Thrin4
how fun to be traveling as a family. don't know how "young" the adults are. it will be crowded wherever you go because of high summer season but make the most of it. from milan travel to venice
VENICE:
spend 3 nights. lots to see and do, early mornings and late afternoons. walk the back districts and canals, the cruisers and daytrippers will be in the heavy traveled areas and you can do that early or later in the day.
you do have a big group if you all want to stay together:
cross-pollinate.com
booking.com put in filters and some apartments do come up
check A/C, how many bathrooms/beds, fees, check arrival and departure times and baggage storage, pack light, any mobility issues, uneven cobblestones/stairs/steps/bridges to cross and carry bags. read reviews and fine print, where check in if different then place.
schezzini.it alessandro does cichetti bar crawls (wine appetizers and history) tours you will need to email him
camacana.com how to decorate a venetian mask
streaty.com food and wine tours
isoladiburano.it things to do in burano, maybe a short guided tour, stop at carmelinas or constantini bakery for famous bussola and buranos cookies, known for lace. take an early morning vaporetto, it's a small island, to roam around, it's my favorite island, cross the small bridge to mazzorbo, stop at cafe for a glass of wine known for it's venissa winery, the then back to venice to spend the afternoon/evening
isacookinpadua.altervista.org cooking class in venice near train station
LAKE GARDA:
this is a gorgeous lake between venice and milan. we stayed in bardolino for their annual wine festival. known for rose bardolino wine, vineyards near. ask about wine tours.
boat/ferry rides up and down the lake to different small villages, get off in a village and explore
satuario basilica della corona, church built into the hill, an amazing site, in spiazzo. have lunch at a cafe with a view of the lake and mountains.
tripsavvy/get to know lake garda
fullsuitcase.com search lake garda has info about the lake and towns that may say "i wanna go there and see that"
after your fun there take the train to milan. if you know your dates book early, gets more expensive the longer you wait. have a great time. relax don't stress and enjoy.
aloha