Hi,
We currently plan to stay in Varenna for 4 nights at an airbnb in early May (fly into Milan). We will have a car. We have two open nights between Varenna, and when we are meeting friends in the Cinque Terre for 3 nights (Vernazza) and then on to Tuscany for a week, using Volterra and Monticchiello as home bases during that week. We are trying to decide where to spend those two extra nights between Varenna and Vernazza. We are unable to get another night at our airbnb in Varenna (from Varenna, we have considered Bernini Pass between Tirano and St. Moritz, Bellagio, Como, Menaggio, Lugano, etc). We enjoy nature, hiking and experiencing different places. Less interested in museums this trip.
Some ideas that we have so far on how to use the two nights, but could use some advice from others who've been there:
a) a few nights in Lugano (perhaps 3 in Varenna, 3 in Lugano). From Lugano, potentially visit Ascona, Locarno, Nufenen Pass/Ritom, Lucerne, etc. Our concern is weather--looks like early May could be a bit cold heading north in the mountains, and also seems a good threat of rain in Lugano and surrounding area.
b) another idea is a couple nights in Verona, and perhaps drive north to the Dolomites (Bolzano area). Again weather could be factor in the Dolomites. Also, it's then quite a drive to get to the Cinque Terre for our next stop. c) a third idea is two nights in Milan or Genoa. Looks interesting, but doesn't have the nature and hiking aspect. Does put us closer to Cinque Terre.
Thoughts from those who've been to these places, and have an idea what the weather could be like in early May (unpredictable of course)? Or other ideas?
We have spent a fair amount of time in Venice, Rome, Florence and don't need to do again, at least on this trip.