My wife and I are going to be in Italy in early/mid December and are thinking about tacking on an additional week. We're going to be in Venice and we'd want to end up close to Zurich where my extended family lives to spend Christmas with them. Come caveats: We've already been multiple times to the Dolomites in winter and I know Switzerland like the back of my hand so those two are out. My initial thought is maybe Verona, Vicenza and seeing a few towns in northern Italy and then up through either Como/Lugano or via Aosta? Any places along this route that have a wonderful Christmas vibe that are unmissable? Any other route that I'm completely not thinking about? I thought about Bologna/Parma/Emilia Romagna, but I think we're going to save that for another trip just to that area. We will have a car and we're not museum people, but love quaint towns, gorgeous churches and architecture, food, wine - the normal stuff that makes Italy so wonderful. This group has been amazing in giving me ideas in the past so I'm entrusting you guys to help me out on this one!
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2311 posts
You might look at Malcesine on Lake Garda. I haven’t been there (yet), but it’s on my radar for a trip I’m planning next summer.
You could also venture into Slovenia. Ljubljana is only a couple hours from Venice.
Posted by
Irving
2948 posts
Before leaving Venice add a night and take a day trip to Padua (30 minutes by direct train) and visit the Scrovegni Chapel (buy tickets before leaving home) and then tour the old town.
From Venice take a direct train to Milan (2h 30m) and sleep there to explore Vicenza (1h 45m), Verona (1h 15m) and Lake Como (Varenna [1h 15m] and Bellagio [15 minute ferry from Varenna]).
From Milan you can take a direct train to Zurich (3h 30m).
Posted by
California USA
3951 posts
In addition to the Verona, Vicenza, Padua, Lake Garda towns I’d like to suggest Ravenna too if you like beautiful churches with Byzantine mosaics.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7278 posts
Hi Marcus, I stayed in several smaller cities in June and had a fantastic trip! Near Milan I highly recommend Bergamo. Stay in the upper Cita Alta section - very quaint and beautiful architecture and church interiors. I stayed at two hotels there - the Gombit Hotel is amazing! I also stayed one night at Hotel Piazza Vecchia which was nice, too. I’ll attach my trip report so you can read the details, if interested.
I love Stresa on Lake Maggiore and have stayed there three times. But, I don’t think it would be nearly as lovely without the gardens in bloom. Verona is great. When you do the Parma route some year, add Cremona.
Posted by
Calgary, AB
154 posts
My wife is a Christmas fan but doesn’t like the cold and we have family here, so we don’t travel Overseas near Christmas. My only suggestion is to Google Christmas festivals Italy Rick Steves and there are a couple of YouTube videos but some of them are a little old.
Or Google Italy Christmas markets and it can show you 12 top Christmas markets. https://www.eataly.com/us_en/magazine/culture/italian-christmas-markets/
Posted by
OP
Kansas City USA/Birmenstorf, Switzerland
453 posts
Great ideas everyone! Keep them coming! I love the idea of Bergamo - I've heard good things about it and this might be a great excuse for a visit.