My husband will be attending a conference in Milan in early to mid June. Our 19-year-old son and I would like to tag along on this trip, but Milan is not a huge draw (for me). I thought a good plan might be for us to first fly to Rome, spend a few days there including a day trip to Pompeii, then train up to Milan for the three days of the conference. My son and I could do a day trip to Bergamo, Como, or Venice. I've been to Italy, although never Rome. Our son has never been. Thoughts on this plan?
Posted by
Massachusetts
847 posts
A few days in Rome plus a few in Milan is a good idea although Pompeii is a long (but doable) day trip. From Milan there are numerous day trips -Bergamo and Como are two great ones. Other day trips I've taken from a base in Milan are Cremona and Pavia. Also Lugano, Switzerland. I also did one to Genova which I really enjoyed although it was about 2 a half hours each way which is my limit for 'easy' day trips. Actually some trains from Milano to Venezia are only about 2 and a half hours (though others are more like three and a half). So you could do it. But Venice is best seen when the day trippers are NOT there (and you'd be one of them).
Posted by
8474 posts
You could visit Ostia Antiqa from Rome, it is not that far from Rome and save Pompeii for another trip.
Posted by
OP
12 posts
I'm actually rethinking Rome and Pompeii and considering saving them for another trip altogether. Thanks!
Posted by
back in the Americas
736 posts
Hi Saloman, I would suggest not doing Venice as a daytrip from Milan. If you choose to go to Venice I would go there from Rome, stay at least one night and then over to Milan. I also think that Pompeii is just too far to realistically do as a daytrip from Rome. You will have no trouble filling three days in Rome, and if you want to do a daytrip then look for something closer or add that day to Venice. What is your total number of nights that you will have for your trip? Remember that two nights equal one full day in a place. If your grand total of days is just six or seven I would reconsider visiting three seperate areas (Rome, Venice and Milan) and limit it to one or two. If you do not want to dedicate much time to Milan there are many beautiful places relatively nearby that won't eat up hours of your limited days on a train. Both Bergamo and Como are worthy destinations.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
From Milan you can easily go to Lake Como or the Cinque Terre, which would be pretty great in June, although the CT will be crowded. Consider doing two nights in the CT so you can be there in the evenings and mornings when the horde of daytrippers will be gone. I found Bergamo charming but not sure if a 19 year old would.
Posted by
616 posts
Yes Como would be nice and in June, not yet too crowded like July and even worse August.
If you want to visit a city you could take the fast train to Florence (1h1/2) for instance.
Torino has a nice city centre and has a wonderful Egyptian Art Museum.
Francoise
Posted by
Milan, Italy
308 posts
Brescia, Parma, Vicenza, Bologna, Padova and Verona are also doable day trips. Personally, I LOVE Parma and Verona, but it depends on your interests. They're all beautiful places.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34325 posts
Are you aware of the Certosa di Pavia? A pretty decent website describing it is at https://www.italythisway.com/places/certosa-di-pavia.php if you ignore all the ads and clickthrus. Check out that facade.
A close and easy train trip from Milan (closed Mondays).