My husband and I will be using Milan as a base for 5 days for the first part of a trip to Italy in April, 08. Our daughter will be in school there so we want to be able to spend time with her or we would not be spending so much time in Milan. Any suggestions on day trips that we can take that require 2 hour or less train ride in each direction? Any coastal towns possible this way? What about Switzerland? We already plan on the lake district, but would love to hear other options/favorites. Thank you!
Posted by
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
206 posts
On our way to Milan to fly home, we stopped at the Certosa di Pavia, which is a monastery outside of Pavia. Pavia is less than an hour car trip south of Milan. Unfortunately we got there too close to the time they closed for the early afternoon, so we were rushed, but it was beautiful and interesting and relates to daVinci's time spent in Milan. The facade was totally covered by scaffolding in August, but everything was beautiful. Sorry I don't know about train transportation, since we had a car at that time. If you have "Eyewitness Travel Italy" or can check it out, there is a nice description and diagram there.
Posted by
Newburyport, MA
683 posts
Easy trips from Milan other than to Lakes Como and Garda (Desenzano) and Maggiore are Verona and Vicenza.
Verona is very special-pay tttention to her Roman colosseum that is still in use to her city walls and to the lovely surroundings across her enveloping river.
Vicenza is home to many Palladio works .