Ideas from Milan toward Cinque Terre

Easter weekend is one of those rare times when trains in Italy can be full. I would suggest advance train reservations if you can. Most trains leaving Milan for the CT are either intercity plus (ICPlus)or EuroCity (EC) trains. These trains require seat reservations and thus, can fill up.

However, there is a Plan B that you might consider if trains are full. There are local interregional trains ("R" trains) that run between these same cities and towns. No seat reservations are permitted. These trains take longer because they stop and every stop but if you get to the station early, you can hop on and get a seat.

I'm suggesting a 2-part Plan B. First, you take the R train from Milan to Genova. CLICK HERE and note the 12:25pm train on 3/23 leaving from MI C.LE (Milan main station).

Next, take an R train from Genoa to Vernazza. CLICK HERE to see the 11:03am run from Genova P.P. to Vernazza (the 8:20 train arrives at 10:14). There are later trains at 15:39 and 16:11 if you take the later 12:25 train from Milan.

Last, if you are planning a lot of train travel between the CT towns, you can buy a 3-day pass that permits unlimited rides on the trains between Levanto to the North and La Spezia to the South. It also gives you access to the trails and the mini-buses in the towns. It's called the 5Terre Card and you can purchase it in several locations including the information centers.

Yes,not including Milan. We had considered taking the train up to Lake Como for two nights and then back down to Vernazza on Easter. Looking at the train schedule and never having been there I think that was an ambitious idea. We are arriving at 7:30p.m. and I'm just not sure where to take my Mom and two daughters.
Lea, Port Angeles, WA

Traveling on Easter in Italy, when all the locals are off and traveling, most by train, is likely to be problematical and you should be prepared for that. If I understand correctly, you are arriving in Milan at 7:30 p.m. Friday? It does not sound to me like a good idea for you to try to go anyplace else that night, so you could sleep in Milan Friday night. And you need to be in the CT on Sunday afternoon/evening. Sounds like a good plan would be to spend Saturday and Sunday morning exploring Milan--the Duomo, Galleria, Sforza Castle, La Scala tour and museum, and Leonardo's The Last Supper (if you reserve ahead for it or go on a tour that includes it) would easily provide enjoyment for a day and the next morning.

We stayed at Hotel Cervo at Malpensa. One of the best meals we had in Italy; however, the chef only cooks M-F. I highly recommend it. See Rick's book.

Lake Maggiore and Stessa is an easy daytrip. Isola Bella really is. The Alps reflect on the lake. It's gorgeous! There is a bus that will take you to the train station. On a holiday weekend be sure to ask when the last bus service is. We also went on a holiday weekend and the last bus was ~5 p.m. The bus driver was so nice--he took us directly to the hotel.

The little town Hotel Cervo is in has a couple of small restaraunts. We felt "adopted". Must not get many tourists.

Lea: If you're arriving in Milan at Malpensa airport, then it may make sense to stay in a Malpensa airport hotel such as the Cervo, which is 30 miles outside central Milan. But if you're arriving in Milan at the train station, you will not want to sleep at Malpensa.

Yes, we are arriving at Malpensa. I saw a bus to Stresa (?)from the airport, but it leaves before we arrive in the evening. How long does customs take after landing? My Mom and I knew we would be tired after flying all night with the kids especially. So at first our original plan was to stay by the airport then travel up to Lake Como. Then I felt I had us backtracking too much if we were to be back in Vernazza by Sunday eve.

Lea: Okay, now I think I'm beginning to understand the details of your trip: You're flying all night, with kids, and arriving at Milan Malapensa airport at 7:30 p.m. on a Friday night? If that's correct, then you're right about everybody, including the kids, being exhausted by the time you arrive at the airport. For that reason, I suggest you don't try to go anywhere else that night. Stay at one of the Malpensa Airport hotels, in a separate message I'll provide a link to a listing of airport hotels. On Saturday you will still be jet lagged and since you have to get from Milan to Vernazza by Sunday late afternoon/early evening, it makes sense that on Saturday morning you go into central Milan and stay there Saturday night. During the day on Saturday and on Sunday morning, until you have to leave for Vernazza, enjoy seeing the sights of Milan that I listed earlier. A different way to do it would be to spend Friday night and Saturday night at the same hotel in central Milan, but you will have to make sure that the hotel knows you will be a late arrival on Friday night.

Lea: Here is a link to a listing of Malpensa Airport hotels put together recently by Doug of Portland: Click Here

If you want to move towards Cinque Terre, consider going to Santa Margherita Ligure. It's on the Milan to Vernazza train line, a little south of Genoa. Portofino is only about 1 km away, so it's a nice area. There are hourly regional trains from Santa Margherita Ligure to Vernazza on Sundays - takes just over an hour.