Our question: What is your opinion on where to stay & things to do?
Originally planned to stay two pre tour nights in Milan (finished tour there, 2013)--conventions have hotels booked or else pay big $'s-- Our facts: SFO to Malpensa arrival 4/13 at 13:30--next our own full day--then our tour day 4/15 starting at 5pm in Varenna--then 4/16 first full tour day is "free"--
Current consideratons for pre tour choices and where to stay:
1. Stay in Como 2 nights-- train about 30 minutes to Milan & spend day there doing things which we missed in previous visit--on 4/15 either boat Como to Varenna or train to Milan and onto Varrenna to start tour
2. Train to Stressa for 2 nights & find things to do there--on tour day 4/15 train back to Milan and on to Varenna
3. Stay in Varenna
4. other ideas welcomed
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I would stay in the tour hotel, if possible, and take a day trip or two; one less checkin/out and unpack/pack.
Or, spend the night(s) in Bergamo, about an hour by train from Milano Centrale.
Posted by
Farmingville, New York, USA
381 posts
Doesn't seem like you are going to have a lot of time. It would be helpful if you stated where the tour was going to bring you so what we suggest is not redundant and what you have already seen in Malin. For example in Milan you have the 'Last Supper' and the famous Sforza Castle. Both very worth seeing. Como area is a drive or train ride away. I liked the north part of the lake so much better, up near Bellagio. Como itself was too much like a city to me. Villas are very nice up there along with the towns but they may be on your tour.
Posted by
Washington DC
28989 posts
Since the tour takes you to Lake Como and the Dolomites, Bergamo sounds like a real possibility to me--something different. It appears that it would mean a bus from MXP (check frequency--could be an issue) and a somewhat convoluted routing back to Varenna. It might be more hassle than you want for just 2 nights/1 day. It's a very nice city to wander, though, and I'd give it serious consideration.
Stresa is the jumping-off point for boat trips to the Borromean Islands (villa/gardens). My mother and I both enjoyed the trip to the islands. Don't remember anything at all about Stresa itself.
Hard to go wrong in Italy, of course. You might try Googling "day trips from Milan" and see if something intriguing to you pops up. Brescia's about 2 hours from both MXP and Varenna by train.
Posted by
Atlanta
5417 posts
Agree with Zoe about staying in the tour hotel if possible due the moving, unpacking, & repacking issue. Just go straight to Varenna from the airport. After your long flight, I suspect by the time you get to the hotel and get checked in you'll be ready for just a shower, a meal and then fairly early to bed. Then the next day can be spent acclimating and doing something around Lake Como not covered on the tour.