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Help for ski trip to Sestriere or ???? for ski and sightseeing.....

Hi, I am not a frequent European traveler like many of you, although we did ski in Switzerland a few years ago and stopped in another couple cities. I know that the ski slopes are rated differently than the USA, I consider myself an advanced beginner to low level intermediate, but am very content to just cruise. My husband can handle more advanced slopes.

I had to cancel Caribbean travel at Christmas and this has left me with a nice travel credit on American airlines. This means that I can travel to most anywhere in Europe and can probably even arrive and leave from different cities. A great "problem" to have but I am overwhelmed.

I don't want to crowd my schedule too much but would like to do a couple different things. We will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. I would like to land somewhere..........maybe spend a couple days in a city.....couple in a less populated area and then a few in a ski resort and leave for home. I want to be able to take the train/bus.

I had been thinking of Florence.........train maybe to Pisa along the way......Manarola (or another place on the Cinque Terre)......train to Sestriere and then leave from Turin.

I am worried that this would be more time in a train than I would like so maybe the Florence part of it is too much. Other thoughts on lovely places to see in northern Italy? Speak to me like a child and plan my trip for me, please!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, thanks!

Posted by
17480 posts

What month?

I know nothing of Sestriere as a ski resort, but it appears to be a very good choice on the basis of elevation—-base is 6600 feet. That is important these days, due to a lack of snow at lower elevations. I hope others can help with more details, such as how to get there from Turin.

Cinque Terre is not a good choice in winter, if that is when you are planning to come. Late March might be OK, but then you would be compromising the skiing conditions. And iin any case it adds a considerable train time if you include Florence and Cinque Terre.

There are so many nice places further north, closer to Turni, for you to explore and enjoy. Turin itselve is supposed to be lovely, although we have not been there yet. Venice of course, and for smaller towns consider Bergamo, Verona, Padua, or towns in Piemonte (closer to Turin) sauce as Asti or Alba. Milan is a good airport for flights, usually less expensive than others.

Posted by
17 posts

Lola - We are looking at January or February. I agree with you, looking to fly in or our of Turin may be a better option. I am also considering Nice, France. I can get a great deal on a centrally located hotel with points and visit Cannes and Monaco.....and then go up for a couple days of skiing. My "problem" is that my airline credit has basically left my options endless.