After our 14 hr long haul flight from California to Milan arriving 3PM, should we spend the night in Milan to refresh or take train to Varenna. Our RS tour group meets the day after we arrive so we would have time in Milan. If we stayed in Milan, any suggestions for a hotel and a couple must see sights before we train to meet the group? Thx
Spend the night in Milan. Arriving at 3:00 gives you enough time to see the Duomo and other nearby sights. If you have time the next morning and you make reservations far enough in advance you could also see the last supper.
Check out Milan Inn on tripadvisor. I stayed there in October and it was fine. The B&B is run by a very nice woman who rents out rooms in her apartment. It is no more then a 5 minute walk from the Duomo and is very reasonably priced considering the location. I think it was about 100 euros for a double. Nice place, clean rooms and confortable beds.
Melinda, I would probably choose to go straight to Varenna. It is quite easy to get to (even after a long trip) and it is just a lovely and peaceful town. It is a great place to recover from jet lag. I'd go there directly, have a nice dinner, and sleep in the next day. If you would prefer to stay in Milan, try to book a ticket for the Last Supper and see the Duomo.
Steve, have you stayed at Hotel Speronari recently? I stayed there twice in the 90s, but the last time that I was in Milan I checked and they seemed to be closed. All the reviews on tripadvisor are several years old. Have they reopened?
I agree with Laura--I'd go on to Varenna the day you arrive--once you get to the Central Train station it's an hour train trip. Just be careful not to doze off and miss the Varenna stop as the train stops there very briefly.