Seven of us renting a van in Milan (our starting point). Before we head to Lake Como, 4 of them want to go to the Galleria Vittorio in the rental with over 7 pieces of luggage. I know car prowls happen in every major city. So, my question is Are there any safe, secured parking areas near the galleria that will be safe?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34234 posts
First, are you sure that 7 people and 7 pieces of luggage will fit in the van (van in Europe usually means no windows except in the cab) that you are hiring?
If the answer to the first question is yes, it can safely, it seems to me that the simple answer would be for the three who don't want to visit the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and spin on the bull to stay in the big van while the others go in.
I don't have a clue about parking near the Duomo - no amount of money could tempt me to drive in central Milan, and I drive in central London and other European major cities like Munich and Amsterdam a lot. Have you seen those trams? And I have no interest in a ZTL ticket so I stay far away.
If you decide to brave it regardless, be very sure that you have maximum insurance and the driver has the IDP handy because any garage will almost certainly be underground and a huge van may very well not fit under the height gauge.
Posted by
Green Bay
21274 posts
By starting point do you mean Malpensa airport? Navigating difficult traffic, avoiding ZTL's, finding a garage, doesn't sound like fun to me. Luggage theft is the least of your worries.
Where are you going on Lake Como? Might be easier just to head to the lake and take a day to ride into Milan on the train on another day and check out the Duomo and the Galleria. I'll tell you right now, the Galleria is really nice for about 30 minutes, then that is it. Making a huge logistical detour so 4 people can satisfy their curiosity is a bad idea.
Let me put it this way, is one of the 4 the driver? Who is going to pay the ZTL fines when the driver gets lost and wanders in and out of it?
Posted by
11677 posts
The Galleria is not a major site to go out of your way to see. If they want to see the Milan fashion district it is not there. Will you be staying in Milan ? Or getting the van at MXP?
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks for the responses. I have passed them on to the other folks.
Five will arrive in the morning landing at Malpensa. They will rent a van and drive to pick my wife and I up in Oleggio.
Some want to drive into Milan before driving to Bellagio. My wife and I don't. I am not the driver. Hopefully the responses that you sent will change their mind.
Posted by
Green Bay
21274 posts
Have these folks been to Italy before? If so, have they driven in Italy before? Do they have an International Drivers Permit, or plan on getting one (hope answer is yes)?
Where on Lake Como are you staying? There are trains to walking distance of the Galleria from Como Nord Lago station, every half hour on weekday mornings, takes about an hour, and cost 5 EUR each way. For the 4, that is 40 EUR, probably the cost of the extra gas and parking of driving there. Not to mention the huge waste of time for the 3 who are not into it.