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Help with Northern Italy

Posted by on

Hello...Two couples are heading north from Tuscany. Currently we have a 3 night stay in Torbole at the Northern tip of Lake Garda. We need a suggestion on one-night stay before we get there....maybe Sirmione, Cinque Terre, Bardolina. We are hoping to ditch the rental and take the train up north. Although maybe driving from Tuscany isn't too bad to the tip of the lake.

Also, after Lake Garda we are heading towards Venice for a 3-night stay, but trying to decide if we should stay in Venice or outside of Venice, like Verona, Padua or other suggestion as a home base. We are interested in seeing gardens since we are visiting in May and there might be something nice in bloom. Not sure if 2 days would be enough in Venice.

Thanks !

Posted by
1404 posts

Take the train to Peschiera and the boat from there. When you have checked the schedules for train and ferry, you can decide where on the route it makes most sense to sleep.

Cinque Terre is probably way out of your route. Personally I love Badolino, but it is close to the end of your route.

Posted by
21 posts

Thanks so much for the advice.....the ferry takes about 6 hours, although I think I saw a "fast" ferry option. Are you aware of that? Thanks again!

Posted by
1810 posts

I would opt for a small city like Mantua or Cremona that have different and gracious attractions rather than another lake town or the Cinque Terre - which would be a detour into a whole different kind of trip. Gardens will certainly be in bloom in May, but look at some of the villa gardens in Tuscany or around the lakes rather than in Venice. As for a Venice base, absolutely stay in Venice and wrap yourself in it -it is magic.

Posted by
7935 posts

I would definitely keep three nights for Venice - especially since you’re coming from a town where you will be taking time on the ferry to get back to train connections. And, be sure to stay on the islands of Venice, not Venice Mestre.

Verona is usually very handy for your location from Tuscany if you’re wanting to drop the car and travel by train & ferry to reach Lake Garda. Which town in Tuscany is your prior location?

Posted by
7935 posts

This would change some of your itinerary, but when you mentioned gardens, I immediately thought of lovely Isola Bella and Villa Taranto near Stresa on Lake Maggoire. But, if you go there, then I wouldn’t also go to Lake Garda.

Posted by
386 posts

Cinque Terre is waaaay out of your way if looking for a convenient stop. I'd suggest the charming city of Verona if you must stop, but I'm not sure that I'd bother.

Torbole is fabulous! Can't wait to get back there.

Posted by
68 posts

Your travels are almost certainly going to have you going through Verona, which will be a mid-point of sorts. It would be a shame not to experience it - very manageable, romantic, and interesting. Stopping and enjoying Verona for a night will also minimize additional thankless travel time.

FWIW - We hit Bardolino last summer and found it to be a bit honky tonk and full of sunburnt tourists drunk on local rose wine.

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