Hi, I'm just starting to plan a trip next Sep-Oct to Northern Italy then Croatia. My husband and I are in our 60s and in decent shape--love outdoors, moderate hiking and sightseeing; we're not big into history/museums but strive to see the major sites. We've been to other parts of Europe a handful of times and about 10 years ago, we visited Rome, Florence, Sienna, Venice, and Sorrento so we are interested in the areas we haven't been. My husband enjoys driving so we plan to get a car, specifically to drive through the Dolomites. So far, I'm considering flying into Milan, driving to Lake Como region for 2 nights, then Cinque Terre for 2-3 nights then Dolomites for 3-4 nights. I assume we'd pick up the car in Milan and return it in/near Venice with possibly taking a ferry from there to Pula, Croatia. Other than the Dolomites, I'm not firm on the other locations. We generally appreciate smaller villages and try to avoid larger cities other than to see major sites. I understand that both Cinque Terre and Lake Como are very touristy so if you have other suggestions, I'm open to them. I admit I haven't spent much time in the forum to review similar posts so feel free to send me links instead of responding. I appreciate your suggestions!
Posted by
back in the Americas
820 posts
On your way across northern Italy here are a few suggestions for your consideration: Bergamo, Brescia, and Verona ( the historic city center is compact and relatively flat). Since you will have a car explore the northernmost small towns of Lake Garda like Riva del Garda or Limone sul Garda. On your way to the Dolomites stop at Trento. The historic city center is compact and easily walkable. lLike much of that area, you get quite the combination of Austrian/Italian foods, architecture, languages, etc. Lots of people visit Bolzano. Merano is a pretty mountain town north of Trento. I have not been to Bassano del Grappa but it is pretty and is often recommended here on the forum. I did like Vittorio Veneto which is totally off the international tourist radar.
You said you may take a ferry from Venice to Pula but should you decide to skip Venice you may enjoy Trieste and there may be a water route from there to Croatia. If you do go to Venice -Vicenza, famous for its architecture, is on your route and Padova is a popular stop not far from Venice, or even consider a visit to Ravenna to see the spectaucular mosaics if you are into religious art. Another alternative to Venice that may also offer water transport to Croatia ( I have no idea, you would have to research that) is Chioggia. I have not been there but it has been on my radar for a while since it is a city with canals.
Lots of possibilities. Good luck with your research.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1885 posts
If your plan is Milan > Como > CT this section really doesn't need a car. Access to a car will open up some towns that are not accessible by train but driving around the lake can be a slow and frustrating experience depending on traffic since there is one road. A car in CT will be an expensive burden and is completely unnecessary.
If you are set on CT then you could go Milan > CT > Bergamo > Brescia > Verona by train and then rent a car and do Lake Garda on the way to Trento and the Dolomites and then drop off the car and see Venice. Or add Lake Maggiore which is closer to Milan MXP anyway and then move on to CT. The train does serve anything except the lowest end of Lake Garda so your options are bus or car so this is a good place to have the option of the car.
Brescia has amazing Roman ruins, adjacent museum and castle on top of the hill as well as a series of great piazzas.
Verona is great, pedestrian town with an upscale cafe culture feel to it.
Additional small town suggestions Mantua/ova is a day trip from Verona.
Bologna is also in the mix with good fast train service but is south away from the Dolomites.
You have the problem of too many options, hope that helps,
=Tod
Posted by
456 posts
If you are a foodie, check out when the Alba white Truffle festival is that year. One of my best travel memories.
Posted by
Washington, DC USA
831 posts
For your time in the Dolomites, if you want to ride various lifts for hiking or views, when the 2026 schedulei available, be sure to check when they stop operating for the season. Some stop the end of September, more after the first week in October, but some later.
Someone mentioned taking the Ferry to Croatia from Trieste rather than Venice. I believe the ferry from Trieste goes to Rovinj but not Pula.
Posted by
OP
43 posts
@Pat and @CD in DC, thanks so much for suggesting Trieste! We weren't really planning to go to Venice again so I didn't even think of checking other transport areas. I am not at all familiar with the area so this may seem like a naive question but wondering if ferry would be the best means of transport (perhaps the most scenic?!) or if there's a way to cross the Croatian border (Uber, bus?) and rent a car close by since we're planning to get a car right away anyway.
Thanks to you all for the specific suggestions or towns to visit!
Posted by
Washington DC
30095 posts
I've been to Italy and Croatia multiple times, but not on the same trip, so I don't know much about cross-border transportation. However, one option might be GoOpti. GoOpti provides transportation from Venice to Ljubljana, Slovenia, so it may serve northern Croatia as well. I believe there are two options: private transportation on your desired schedule or (less expensive) small-group transportation on a date of your choice but at a time of the company's choosing. We've had several positive comments about GoOpti on this forum.
I don't mean to suggest there is no public transportation from Venice to Croatia, but there are no fast trains available as far as I know. Buses may be as fast as regional trains. An Italian train to Trieste would get you very close to Istria. I'd think there would be at least some bus service from Trieste to Croatian Istria, but I haven't researched that.
Posted by
OP
43 posts
Thanks @acraven! I've done a little more searching and keep finding GoOpti as a recommendation also and it looks like a good fit.
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
2179 posts
We spent 3 nights in Manarola on the CT last May, and we really enjoyed our stay here despite the crowds. Staying overnight is so much better than making a daytrip to the CT when all the other daytrippers are there. And try to be there when there are zero or only a few cruise ships in port at La Spezia. We noticed that the daytripper/cruise crowd don't arrive until around 10am - 10:30am. And they start departing by 4pm. So before 10:30am and after 4pm, the crowds really aren't that bad. In fact, the evenings in Manarola were quiet. And we saw the most amazing sunsets in Manarola. Using the trains to travel from village to village was easy, and we always got a seat. What we noticed is that when you first arrive in a village, it is very crowded near the train station. But many daytrippers don't venture too far into the villages, so the further in you go, the less crowded it is.
If you are interested, we enjoyed our stay at Hotel Marina Piccola.
I would stay at Lake Como for at least 3 nights; in fact, 4 nights would be better. All the places are busy so I think you need the extra time to visit the towns and villas. We were fortunate that we had rainy/drizzly weather every day (but with some sunny spells) so that deterred the daytrippers from Milan. We never had to wait in line to buy ferry tickets or board the ferry. But I've been told that with gorgeous sunny weather all day there will be lines, so you need to make time for that.
We stayed in Varenna and really enjoyed staying here. Bellagio was the most crowded. Menaggio, which we enjoyed visiting, was the least crowded.