We will be staying in Varenna for a week in late July/early August and welcome any suggestions about top day trips etc. while we are there? (We will have been to Milan and on our way to Lugano after Varenna so are set there). Is a day trip to Parma feasible, or too much travel involved? Mille grazie!
Posted by
Washington DC
28467 posts
Parma's over 3 hours by train, so I'd say that's not realistic. Bergamo (beautiful medieval district on a hill) is about 75 minutes from Varenna. That would be my first choice. Even closer are Monza and Lecco, but I haven't been to either, so I can't comment about their desirability from a tourism standpoint. Of course, you also have boat rides on Lake Como itself, to places like Bellagio and Como.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I agree with acraven. I went to Bergamo on a whim one day and had one of the best days, full of surprises and the cleanest air I have ever breathed.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16748 posts
Another vote for Bergamo. Città Alta (the very old upper part of the greater city) is a gem.
Editing to add: fun place in Città Alta to eat! Get a table on the enormous, arbor-covered terrace.
Posted by
1539 posts
Add the hike to the castle w graveyard up above varenna....my friends got lost coming back...so it was like a 4 hour adventure. And definately use the ferry to visit other towns. Because of the unusual shape of the lake....the shore line is fascinating from the perspective of the boat
Posted by
St. Louis
13 posts
Bergamo for sure. I spent a summer semester there and it is my favorite place in Europe. The upper town (citta alta) is beautiful. It has very few tourists so you get the real Italian feel. Only about an hour by train from Varenna. It is the perfect distance for a day trip.
If you want to go farther you could go to Verona. Probably about 2 1/2 hours from Varenna. Nice medieval town with amazing architecture.
I really suggest Bergamo though. Very stress free.
Cheers
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1773 posts
I know quite well Monza, actually I was born there. The main point of interest is a precious crown in the local main church, used to crown Italy's kings including Charlemagne and Napoleon. The internal iron ring keeping the crown together is said to be made out a nail from Jesus' cross. The city also has a huge park including a neoclassical villa that was a royal residence and the F1 racing track, but globally has not a big tourist interest and it is not worth a visit unless you have an exceptionally long time in Italy.
Posted by
OP
19 posts
Grazie a tutti!
Posted by
Centennial, CO, US
2196 posts
Highly recommend spending a day taking a cooking lesson at Ristorante Il Caminetto. They pick you up in Varenna, take you to their restaurant for 4-5 hours watching and learning and eating, and then bring you back to Varenna. This was one of our most enjoyable days in Varenna. Book ahead -- the classes do fill up.