Northern Italy trip May 2023

Genoa is a reasonably short train ride from S. Margherita. If you are going there for only one day, it doesn’t make sense to waste time on changing lodgings. People can give you better advice if you say what kind of things interest you.

Monterosso in the Cinque Terre is a direct 1h train ride away. Spend two nights there and explore all five towns before taking a direct train to Milan’s Centrale station (3h 30m).

Turin!! It’s absolutely beautiful (I’m told it’s often referred to as the Paris of Italy), lots to see and do, and an easy train ride to Milan.

If you have some flexibility between Lake Como and Genoa, you might want one of the locations I stayed in June (6th trip to Italy) - Bergamo or Cremona. Or you could make either one the last city before Milan’s last night. Otherwise, Torino is a good option. I see you’ve been to Lucca, and I’m not a big fan of Pisa so won’t suggest those two. I love Stresa, but since you’re going to Lake Como, it’s too similar of an atmosphere to double up.

Night of Museums: One Saturday in mid-May, museums in many Italian cities are open late, often with free admission and special events - just in case this timing works out for you.

Here’s the info about Bergamo & Cremona:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-please-do-not-comment-until-i-change-the-title-filling-in-the-report-thanks

Thank you sooo much Jean. I just loved reading about your travels.

We were just in this area. We enjoyed Pisa, Padua, Siena, Ravenna, Turin, Firenza, and Milan.

1) Since you end in Milan, why spend 2 days at the start?
2) Padua has the Scrovengi Chapel, and several other good churches
3) Pisa is more than just the Leaning Tower.
4) Ravenna has mosaics from the 4-5th century. We enjoyed this very small town.

What about a few days in the Piedmont region? Alba is supposed to be absolutely beautiful.

Bergamo is also a lovely place to visit and close to Milan and Lake Como

Thank you sooo much!

I agree with visiting Milan at the end before you fly home
I might do the loop starting
Turin
Asti
Genoa
Santa Margherita
Lake Como
Milan

That sounds perfect. We fly into Milan so I think one night to start instead of two . I love your itinerary.
Thank you