Hello My 16 year old son and I will be taking the train from Munich to Venice or environs on June 21 and will be flying out of Milan on the morning of June 26. This makes for a very short trip. We don't want to spend all our time getting from one place to another, and we are having a hard time narrowing down our itinerary. We don't have a ton of money, so just sticking in Venice isn't an option (but we have to go to Venice for a short time because Venice is his fantasy. We also have no desire to spend time in Milanbut we need to catch our morning flight out. Here are the two options I'm imagining Option A: June 21: Munich to Padua (arrive 5:00 p.m.) Spend June 22 in Padua. Leave morning of June 23 for Venice. Spend night in Venice, leave afternoon of June 24, travel to Bergamo. Spend June 25 in Bergamo Evening of June 25 arrive in Milan to get hotel room to catch our train. Option B: June 21: Munich to Padua (arrive 5:00 p.m.) Spend June 22 in Padua. Leave morning of June 23 for Venice. Spend night in Venice, leave morning of June 24, travel to Parma (with long lay over in Bologna for lunch.
June 25: Spend day in Parma. Leave evening for Milan All comments/suggestions welcome. I haven't done much traveling in over 25 years and I'm afraid I have forgotten how.
Posted by
Catadupa Alamere, CA
515 posts
I've been to Padova three times and here are my not so humble opinions. Padova is a 20 minute commuter train ride to Venice's Santa Lucia station Book a hotel in Padova on the south side of the river. As I left the train station and crossed the bridge southward toward the center, there always was a crowd of drugged derelicts on the left side of the street, near the south side of the bridge. I'm a fairly tall guy from New York City so I never felt threatened, but it was pretty creepy even by my standards. In Padova, the Scrovegni Chapel's frescos are a must do, as are reservations for it. They move you through in something like 20 minutes (plus 10 minute mandatory movie) so this event will not take up most of a day. In Padova's center, the University's famous, aged theatre of anatomy is one of my favorites, but it is open at odd hours. It is a long walk from Padova's center to the train station, so that will take time out of your day. Also, it is a long (but profoundly atmospheric) ride on the vaporetto from Venice's train station to Pz San Marco. That will eat up your day in Venice, but in a good way. It is prohibited to attempt to depart Venice without having enjoyed a spritz and some cicchetti
Posted by
Portland, OR
282 posts
Both of your options do not agree with your stated goal of "We don't want to spend all our time getting from one place to another". I would never want to do 4 cities in 5 days. If Venice is your son's fantasy, have you looked into renting an apartment and spending the entire time in Venice? This will significantly cut down on your lodging costs, but also your food costs as you can eat in the apartment for some of your meals.
Posted by
Orlando
166 posts
Either of these itineraries has you spending all of your vacation time on a train! You are not actually experiencing Italy. Agree with others that given your short timeframe, go Munich/Venice and stay in Venice then take the train to Milan on June 25. Hotel/apartment in Venice would be no more expensive than any other town in the summertime. You and your son will enjoy Venice. It is a beautiful city!!
Posted by
OP
Helena, MT, USA
2 posts
You are both absolutely right and I have changed our itinerary accordingly. It is hard when reading travel books longingly not to think--oh, surely we can go there too. But less is always more. Thanks!
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15602 posts
If you get your fill of Venice, you still have two options for the 25th, if you leave early. You can take the train as far as Verona, leave your luggage at the train station and spend the day, then continue on to Milan. Or you can go straight to Milan, there is enough to see to keep you busy for a day. Either way, try to get to the Duomo and the adjacent Galleria at night.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10257 posts
I like Chani's suggestion of stopping in Verona on your way to Milan. As it is on your way anyway, you could even spend a night there. If you only stop for the day they have luggage storage there. If you have most of a day there, look into buying the Verona Pass. It includes admission to anywhere you would want to go, and it also covers transportation. There is a lot to see there. Have a great trip!