Two of us are flying into MXP, headed for Genoa for a few days, for work purposes. We'll go to Cinque Terre after, for a few days.
We have one day & night before we need to be in Genoa to stop & explore somewhere.
Not really inclined toward Milan - one day in a big city while jet lagged is not our preference.
Anyone have a favorite spot along the way? We won't rent a car, so will want it to be train accessible.
Thanks in advance!
Varenna on Lago di Como.
I disagree with Laurel. Varenna is too far out of the way from MXP.
I would go straight from MXP to Lake Maggiore (maybe Stresa), which is just minutes from MXP.
Just take a taxi or bus from the MXP airport to the Gallarate train station (5-10 min ride). From Gallarate take a train to lake Maggiore. Stresa is about 35 min from Gallarate. Arona even closer. Spend a night and a day to relax on the lake, then head to Genoa (by train).
The only problem is that after staying in Stresa you might decide to forget your work commitments in Genoa, which is definitely not a pretty city. Well. You might always decide to stay again in Stresa before your flight back home.
To see train schedules use:
www.trenitalia.com
Use a date in the next 7 days as Regional trains timetables are loaded weekly.
Genova is not an ugly city, IMHO. It's a port, with all pros and cons of this kind of cities.
The sea acquarium is the second largest in Europe, the gothic cathedral is a hidden gem and the seashore walk along Corso Italia is definitively worth a trip.
Thanks for your ideas - both in the Lake area, and favorites within Genoa!
Lago Maggiore: visit the Borromee islands (Isola Bella, Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori). Take boat rides, stroll along the lake shore in Stresa or wherever you are. On the northside Cannobio is a pretty village. Nearby is Lake Orta. The town of Orta San Giulio is a gem.
Genoa: 10 top things to see and do: http://www.10cose.it/genova/cosa-vedere-genova.html
