My husband and I are meeting family (8 adults & 2 young children ages 3 & 5, including us) at Desenzano. Looking for a place with 4 brdrms, at least 2 baths, and kitchen within walking distance of train station and grocery store and with a view. We plan to stay 6 nights in July. Any suggestions for a place to stay that won't break the bank? After the 6 nights, we plan to take a train to Rome. While in Desenzano, we plan day trips to Verona and Venice. Is Florence worth the trip and is there a train from Desenzano? My husband and I will fly into Milan a few days before the rest. Any suggestions for what to see in or near Milan?
Posted by
California 🦋
5301 posts
Sheptg,
I will only address part of your question because I do not have any recommendations regarding accommodations in Desenzano.
While in Desenzano, we plan day trips to Verona and Venice. Is Florence worth the trip and is there a train from Desenzano?
- Verona is an easy train ride from Desenzano & it will only take 20-29 minutes depending on which train you take.
- You can also get to Venice (Venezia S. Lucia) in 1 hr.33mins by
high-speed (freccia) train. - Florence is definitely worth a visit but I would not recommend it as
a day trip from Desenzano as it will take 3hrs 33mins to get there
(with train change). Here the website for train schedules: www.trenitalia.com
Since you plan to go to Rome, I'd suggest staying in Florence for at least a couple of nights then go to Rome.
I hope you are planning on visiting the lakeside villages via ferry
while you're in Desenzano!This is the website for the ferry schedules for Lake Garda:
http://www.navlaghi.it/eng/g_comearrivare.html
I'm sure others will chime in with more info for you.
Happy Planning!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
shep,
Could you provide a bit more information on the reason for basing in Desenzano, rather than some of the other towns in that area? In July it will probably be extremely busy there.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you all for your replies. Ken, we only picked Desenzano because my son-in-law, from Scotland has a friend who recommended it as a kid-friendly place. They are worried about the kids having something to do. Do you recommend a different place? I am particularly worried about getting lodging for all of us. Since we are paying for all, we are trying to get one place with 4 rooms, but would settle, if necessary for 2 places with 2 bedrooms, each. We are also wondering if it would best for my husband and I to visit Maggiori, or Turin, or is Cinque Terre too far or unaccessible? We have to meet the rest of the family on Saturday. Or, is a better idea staying at an agriturismi, where I suppose we would need to rent a car?
Posted by
Glostrup, Denmark
1408 posts
Hi,
consider staying in a camp site. I usually stay in http://www.camping-serenella.it/ (more than 10 times so far)
You can rent one or two mobile homes and do your own cooking - at least for breakfast. There are two towns (Bardolino and Garda) within walking distance and you can reach any town on the lake by ferry.
It's a convenient ferry ride from Desenzano and right next to the beach.
In my opinion a camping site is ALWAYS more kid friendly than a hotel lol
Posted by
Glostrup, Denmark
1408 posts
BTW,
IMHO a day trip to Venice is a waste of time. You have to experience venice in the morning and the evening. If you cannot find time for that, then come back another time
- in the shoulder season
- without the kids :-)
or maybe do that just after arriving, before going to Lago di Garda