Lake Como (3 days) & Cinque Terre (4days) are my priorities on my trip to Italy in Sept ‘26 (doesn’t have to be in that order). I’m looking at 10 days min to 14 days max, inc flying.
I was considering adding Lake Maggiore but wondered if it & Lake Como aren’t too much alike….although I have read up on them both and they do differ in sights.
But if, thought maybe squeeze in Lake Maggiore after Lake Como, staying in Stresta for a couple of nights, then on to Cinque Terre.
Also, no matter where we are at the end of our trip, I would definitely stay in Milan the night before our flight home.
With this info, is there anywhere in northern Italy to consider squeezing in instead of Lake Maggiore.
Also, certain area’s we’ve already been to and don’t want to repeat….Venice, Florence, and Dolomites. Thank you for any help.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12861 posts
Might help to read this earlier post by OP to preclude useless duplication
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/trying-to-plan-out-our-itinerary
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8416 posts
It is possible to stay in Stresa and leave from MXP
Direct bus to airport, actually closer than Milan center
Posted by
Denver, CO USA
637 posts
Bologna
Shorten you Cinque Terra stay.
Posted by
Green Bay
22579 posts
Pavia and Genoa are between the Cinque Terre and Milan. Both have things to see and do.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
8791 posts
Hi Linda, for the mention of Pavia, I am staying there now. If you would like a lovely place to stay, I am at the Arnaboldi Palace Hotel. It is stunning - much nicer than I usually pick, with interesting history, and located in the center of the city. I’ve been walking to everything, including from the train station. I played their concert grand piano last night in the gathering room with the windows out to the center of the historic building - absolutely stunning sound from the piano and room acoustics!
Previous to Pavia, I was staying in Stresa for the fourth time. I splurged and stayed a night at the Regina Hotel and then moved to stay on Isola Bella and the Boutique Elvezia Hotel - a tiny place with a good restaurant. It’s my definition of tranquility to stay on the tiny island at night where there’s only a few people in the evening for a stroll after dinner & what I’ve done the last three times for my final night at Stresa. If staying there, be sure to choose a room with the water view at night.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
8791 posts
Another option would be to stay in Bergamo. It’s handy from Milan. Stay in the Citta Alta portion of the city. A nice hotel up there is the Gombit Hotel which is adjacent and incorporated with the Gombit tower. It would give you more contrast with Lake Como & Cinque Terre than adding another water location, such as Stresa.