We are flying into Venice in Sep. for 7 nights. we will be staying at the Daniele for 2 nights then we would like to travel to either Lake Como Or Switzerland for a few nights before we head to Milan for the remaining few nights.
We are clueless on how to arrange for trains to either place and how to make sure we are staying at great hotels. Could someone give us recomendations on either place, trains and hotels. Thank You, Jen
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
First of all, spend a maximum of one night in Milan and spend more nights in Venice.
You don't need to "arrange" for trains. Simply buy tickets for a train (there are many each day) to Milan and then from Milan to Como. There is plenty of advice in Rick Steves' Italy book how to connect to other places on the lake.
If you're looking for hotels comparable to the Danieli, go to viamichelin.com and enter Como and Milan and look for hotel recommendations there.
Posted by
Chicago, Illinois, USA
586 posts
I'm a bit confused as to how many nights your trip will actually last, Jen...7 nights, I think? I would suggest, based on my experience and my own preferences (I really like art, and I'm a city person, too), 3 nights in Venice (wow, there's no place in the WORLD like this), maybe 2 nights Como (or Stresa on Lago di Maggiore, which is a bit cheaper and much less crowded than Como, just north of Milan), and then a night or 2 in Milano. Unlike many travelers on the site, I really like Milan, and could easily spend two nights there...Piazza Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emnanuele, The Last Supper at Santa Maria della Grazie, a musical performance, great restaurants, the Sforza Castle (and Michelangelo's last pieta), not to mention world class shopping...this really depends on how you most like to spend your time (a quiet, slow and touristy lake town with spectacular views, or a large, fast-paced world-class urban experience...I like balance, and always include some city time, too). As for Switz, have no experience there and can't really offer a thought. But if it is 7 nights, it might be stretch to include on this itinerary. I presume you'll fly out of Milan, then? Would make the most sense to fly into Venice and out of Milan, and avoid backtracking by train. Buon viaggio!
Posted by
San Leandro, CA, USA
632 posts
I'm with Gio on this...2 nights in Venice is the bare minimum...2 nights in Belagio (lake Como), stay at the Hotel Florence (ask for a Terrace room)...
if you have to spend as much as the Daniele, you can stay at the Grand Hotel Serbelloni for about $600 a night (vs $200 a night for the Florence)...then stay at least 2 or 3 nights in Milan. I heartily recommend Hotel Star which has great rooms, a great staff, good breakfasts and is within a couple of blocks of the Galleria, the Duomo, the Castella and La Scala...and you are within walking distance of the "Last Supper". But best of all, Milan has a great nightlife...good restaurants and clubs nearby...and of course the ladies like the shopping.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187849-d237297-Reviews-Hotel_Star-Milan_Lombardy.html