Hi,
My sister & I are traveling to Italy in June. We have been to Italy many times visiting family, friends, etc. I'm having a difficult time planning the most efficient itinerary.
Long, story short- We are arriving in Milan, spending 3 days. Train to Verona, spend 3 days. Train to Bologna, spend 3 days. Train back to Milan, spend afternoon with family before heading back to US the next day.
Are we better off visiting Milan-Verona-Bologna-Milan or would it be more efficient & relaxing to go
Milan-Bologna-Verona-Milan due to train schedule.
Usually we stay in 2 places during our stays but since we have been to ome places, we are going to 3.
Milan-visiting family, sights, & a day trip to Lake Maggiore.
Verona- day trip to Verona, a day trip to Venice.
Bologna-already have itinerary, been before & visiting friends.
Any day trip you can recommend from Verona would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16241 posts
Whether you do your loop clockwise or counterclockwise does not make a bit of a difference. Those cities are all along main rail lines (Milan-Venice, Milan-Rome, Bologna -Brennero) therefore trains are frequent in both directions.
From Verona you can visit lake Garda, Valpolicella, Padua, Vicenza, to name a few.
Posted by
Atlanta
5295 posts
From Verona a day trip to Vicenza is very doable and worthwhile. If you have been to Venice before a day trip would be nice if it fits your schedule. If you've not been to Venice then don't go -- it deserves much more than just a day trip.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Differences to stay in Verona or Padova?
Posted by
New Orleans
1225 posts
Are you going in later June? Any chance you even occasionally like opera? The Verona Opera Festival begins on June 24 (and hotel rates in town go up at that time) and runs through August. You don't have to usually even like opera or classical music to enjoy the spectacle and staging - and, yes, music! - when experiencing Aida or Carmen, etc., presented in one of the world's largest extant Roman arenas, with staging (often by Franco Zeffirelli) taking the sets and singers way up into the arena. It's a glorious experience (affordable, or a splurge: the ticket prices range from some 20 to +200 euros) and it's easy to google "Opera in Verona" and buy tickets on-line from arena.it. I have my ticket for Carmen, this year, already!
Posted by
OP
5 posts
I'm actually going late June, will look into opera.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Mantova is best from Verona, while Vicenza is best from Padova. Parma and Modena can be combined in a day from Bologna. Ferrara and Ravenna in there as well mean you are spoilt with choices. I would do Verona(2) Padova(2) Bologna(2), but you may not wish to add a 3rd hotel. Distances and train times are not great however.
Posted by
Carmel, CA, USA
2456 posts
Benefits of staying in Padova: (1) some very interesting sites like Scrovegni Chapel (reservation required) and the Basilica of St. Antonio di Padova, and more; (2) one of the most beautiful markets in Italy or anywhere, both outside and inside; (3) much closer for a day trip to Venice, also possible to day trip to Vicenza, Verona and others.
From Bologna, Ravenna is an easy and wonderful day trip, just an hour by direct train, magnificent ancient mosaics in several places Ravenna.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
I'll add a fourth benefit of staying in Padova to Larry's list. 4) It gets fewer tourists than Verona.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I'll add a (5)th ...
A visit to the delightful and historically important Orto Botanico (Gardens) followed by an afternoon stroll around Prato della Valle, gelato in hand.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thx for input
We have been going back & forth deciding on Verona or Padova for overnight stays.
Hotel suggestions in Padova please?