After Venice then what? Three days

I recently had a similar dilemma, with 2 days/1 night free, between Rome and Paris. I wanted to leave Rome on a train, and go somewhere with a more easily accessible airport so I could fly to Paris. I decided on Verona. I have not been there but I am really excited to be there in 2 weeks! You can see all the great things people had to say about my plan on the "to the boot" helpline, with the subject line "Verona". Rick also has very good things to say about it in his Italy book. If I were you (having 3 days) I would go to Verona and then to Como, because I like to visit more places, even if for a short time, and Como is high on my list of places to see. I have been to Milan, and I agree you should skip it. Have a great trip!

Bergamo is beautiful, there's a lower and upper town. If you've never been to Florence, that might be a good choice. If you go to Milan for The Last Supper at 5pm, you can still get a train out that evening (your time in the Cenacolo to see the painting is timed, you could be out of the church by 6). I've been to Milano many times and it's a great city, the Duomo, the Castello Sforzesco and the major museums are wonderful, but if you want to avoid an overnight in a big city, I would suggest Bergamo or one of the towns in the Lake Como area.

Hi - we will be traveling the same time I think (Dec 22 - 30). Our itinerary is: Munich to Verona to Venice (two nights) to Bologna (two nights and on to Milan (to nights). My suggestion is perhaps Bologna - but maybe that is too big city? We had only planned one night in Milan but our flights were changed and now we have two nights. For us, not bad as we do like big cities. Have fun!

I guess it depends whether you have been there before, but for my money, I say head straight to Florence - I don't know how long that train trip is, though. But it's gorgeous! The David (at the Accademia) in itself is worth the trip, especially if you have a great guide - if you're there by yourself, step back, walk all around it and look at the life pumping through those veins. Do Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, the Science Museum, Uffizi, the markets, and take a drive up to Piazzale Michelangelo for a spectacular view.

I'd also say head for Florence by train. It's about 150 miles, and the trains are very fast. A train can be caught in Florence to go thru Milan and up into Switzerland.

Verona is one of my favorite Italian towns. Look at the Verona Card website for a list of sights. I think there is enough for 2 full days of sightseeing and the town is charming in the evenings, all the locals out for the passegiatta (sp?). If you love Renaissance sculpture/painting/architecture, Florence will keep you busy for 3 intensely full days. Ravenna is a bit of a schlep - transfer to local train in Bologna. It's a charming little town with gorgeous 5th and 6th century buildings and mosaics.

Zoe gives you good advice, Bergamo is worth a visit, fifty minutes by train from Milan. maybe I should get paid by the tourist office

I would not go to Stresa in the winter. Many hotels will be closed anyway. How about one night Verona and one night Bergamo? We loved Verona and I have heard great things about Bergamo, and not just from Claudio! ( I have a high school friend who lives there.)

Yes really re-thinking the Lake Como area based on what we have heard from all the fine folks here. Being it will be late December, we are spending an extra night in Verona, so the last night might be Milan or still looking for somewhere - perhaps Bergamo before heading to Lucerne. Thanks!

Come to Bergamo, you'll be satisfied. As said the great architect and urbanist Le Corbusier: Piazza vecchia (Old Square) in Bergamo is "one of the most fascinating squares in the world!" http://www.maestrilavoro.it/regioni/lombardia/images/bergamo.jpg Forgive me if I'm a little parochial, Italians tend to be very attached to their cities, it is because of our past of city-states.

You can use Google Maps Streetview to take a look around most of these places. We've heard wonderful things about Bergamo from one of my classmates who goes there at least once a year, so it's on our itinerary for May. It looks beautiful.

Bergamo sounds perfect. From there, are there easy connections to get to Lucerne, or do you go back to Milan (we are travelling by train). And, any hotel recommendations>

To go from Bergamo to Luzern by train you must still go to Milan. I will recommend hotel Piazza Vecchia, fantastic location http://www.hotelpiazzavecchia.it/eng/hotel.htm or: Hotel Agnello d'oro http://www.agnellodoro.it/
both in the upper city. In the lower city, not far from the railway station, Best Western Premier Hotel Cappello d'Oro http://www.bwhotelcappellodoro-bg.it/en/home-page.aspx