Need advice on Northern Italy itinerary

OK, I'll bite.
Train to Milan, then train to Varenna, then ferry to Bellagio. 3 nights there.
Ferry to Varenna, train to Tirano, Bernina Express train to Pontresina (or St Moritz). 2 nights there.
Train to Zernez, bus to Mals, train to Merano, train to Bolzano, bus to Ortisei. 3 nights there.
Bus to Bolzano, train to Verona. 3 nights there.
Train to Milan, train to Stresa. 3 nights there.

So there you have it. Two Italian lakes, Switzerland, the Dolomites, Verona, 2 weeks.

Try to find time to stop in Bolzano (which has a really pretty historic district) to see the museum housing the Iceman. It's very well done.

When you get to Malpensa your choices will be bus to Milano Centrale or another bus elsewhere. ANd since you are not renting a car you will need to base in a town with train access. Considering you will have around a 2 hour bus trip to Stresa, you can get to Varenna in about the same amount of time and add another 30 - 45 minutes (depending on ferry schedule) to get to Bellagio. About two hours via train to Bergamo - which is a delightful town, but not lakeside. We have based for as long as two weeks out of Varenna and explored the lake region and Switzerland. VArenna would be my suggestion and there are plenty of nice AirBnB's to choose from there.

I really appreciate all your advice! Very excited about this trip!
From Malpensa to Varenna as a first stop sounds like a great idea (we have been to Bellagio and loved it). Then the Bernina Express to Pontresina sounds like a great experience. Not sure what to do from there. Stay longer in Switzerland or try to go somewhere near Dolomites? We love Italy so more time there is great! Ortsei sound good but that seems like a long distance and travel time...any other suggestions? Verona sounds like a great experience and we could do a day trip to Venice if we want. Then to Stresa-any day trips from there anyone would recommend? Then Stresa to Malpensa-headed home! Thanks so much!

To my mind, the major reason to base in Stresa is to visit the Borromean Isles.

From the sample itinerary I posted;

1. Train to Milan, then train to Varenna, 2 hours and 10 minutes.
2. Train to Tirano, Bernina Express train to Pontresina. 4 hours and 1 minute.
3. Train to Zernez, bus to Mals, train to Merano, train to Bolzano, bus to Ortisei. 6 hours and 23 minutes.
4. Bus to Bolzano, train to Verona. 2 hours and 43 minutes.
5. Train to Milan, train to Stresa. 3 hours and 12 minutes.

From Pontresina, you are in the mountainous Engadine region of Switzerland. Switzerland is significantly more expensive than Italy and this is the closest point to get to the Dolomites with public transportation through the mountains. Otherwise, you have to backtrack to Milan, Verona to get to Bolzano, taking about 10 hours to get to Ortisei and costing a lot more.

Hey Sam, thanks so much for the travel times and information. This does sound like a great itinerary! The 6.5 hr travel to Ortisei is less than I thought and might be a fun adventure. I guess my question is: is the Dolomite region and Ortisei worth a day of travel and time there or take the Bernina Express back to Tirano and go another direction? I read that the first of June is early for that area and things may be closed.

I will definitely check out the Borromean Isles when in Stresa...I wanted to stay there at the end of our trip to keep experiencing Italy-another Lake town-(instead of a hotel by the airport) and easy commute to Malpensa the morning we leave.

Thanks so much!

June 1 is just a little early, but about half the lifts will be operating, including the lifts to Seiser Alm from Ortisei and the lifts on the Seiser Alm. You'll also be there before the big crowds show up starting July 1. Val Gardena area is the most beautiful place on earth IMHO. Times are at https://www.valgardena.it/en/summer-holidays-dolomites/lifts/

Hey Sam, It seems like it would be a mistake to be so close to Ortesei and not experience the mountain atmosphere!
Do you have any suggestions on places to stay within walking distance of town?
We like AirBnbs but maybe balcony and views are more important than more room, etc. to experience the ambiance?
I really appreciate the help!

Hi Texas Girl,

I live in Trieste. If you're planning a few nights in Venice, Trieste is 1.5 or so away, depending on which train you take, and can be a nice day trip. If you opt to spend a few nights in Trieste, you might like hiking in Carso.

Theresa,
That sounds like a fabulous idea! I did not realize that Trieste is so close to Venice!
What do you recommend seeing on a day or overnight trip? Thanks so much for the suggestion!

hey hey texas girl
how exciting for you guys to explore. we went to bardolino on lake garda few years ago. known for their rose wines, we attended their annual wine festival. it was fabulous. lake garda (lago de garda) is a beautiful lake with small villages, ferries to travel around the lake. read up fullsuitcase.com search lake garda. maybe a ride to the small historic village of malcesine. peschiera del garda is on the south end of lake good for public transportation. we walked the small city center and had lunch.
tripsavvy.com search get to know lake garda
thecrazytourist.com search treviso. a short train ride away from venice
search santuario madonna della corona near mt baldo. church built into the hillside
getyourguide.com lake garda (lake garda - 2 hour guided trike tour)
streaty.com has a wine and food tour
schezzini.it alessandro does a cichetti pub crawl, tasting, wine and history of venice. just email him with the contact. he will get back to you
the prosecco road is outside venice, maybe a prosecco tour (visitproseccoitaly.com) we did this fun tour with oriana, native of area, english speaking, fabulous and fun guide.
italyheaven.com search cities and you will read about the area.
just a few ideas for you to research, lots to see and do staying in the northern area and small towns that don't get as crowded and mobbed. you'll enjoy yourself.
look for asny festivals or fairs happening around the area or in towns, you can ask host/hostess, search internet. they are so much to to eat drink and be merry.
check booking.com for places to stay,
any other questions just ask, people here on forum will give you the good, bad and ugly.
enjoy and have fun. pays off to research early and see what you really want to do, so not stressed out and get gray hairs!.
aloha
GO NINERS!!

I don't have any specific rec's in Ortisei. Look what is available at booking.com. Look for something in the central area of town as you are arriving by bus. I do know the Hotel Adler is super luxurious, but is $400/night in your budget? :-)

Look at Villa Aurelia apartments in Ortisei - a five-minute walk from the bus piazza according to Laurel Barton's Val Gardena book. The book offers other suggestions as well. Ortisei is wonderful. We were there in early June 2019. Not all the mountain lifts were running yet, but plenty for our five-night stay. This was our 13th trip that included Italy, and we were blown away by the beauty of the Dolomites. Don't miss 'em!

Our first trip to Italy, we were landing at Milan MXP and advised to drive to the SE side of Lake Maggiore in charming Ranco. We stayed at Il Sole di Ranco for two nights and recovered from the trip. Great meals and there was a ferry dock in town. I highly recommend at least a night in Ranco when landing at MXP.
Dolomites: Too far to drive after landing but fit it in your plans! Family owned Hotel Grones in Ortisei. Walkable to town via escalator. Excellent food. The Dolomites are stunning.

Thank ya'll so much for all the great advice and suggestions!
I need to research all this to see where we can go on this trip and not spread ourselves too thin.
Wish we had more time-but we will be back!