We have a brief week after Venice, and want to see the Northern Italy mountain region. Thinking of train from Venice to Bolzano or Merano, a couple days there, then train to Tirano for a couple nights and a day on the Bernina train, then train to Milan to fly back to USA. Roughly October 6-13. Interests: beauty of the mountains and valleys, ease of transportation, history. Not shoppers. Advice? Days in Bolzano area? Merano? One of the lakes between Tirano and Milan? So much to see, so little time. At the end of a two week Greece and Istanbul, ending in Venice where we will have one overnight.
Thanks for ideas and recommendations of sites, routes, lodging for Bolzano, Tirano, near Milan airport.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15213 posts
First of all I recommend at least 2 nights in Venice, unless you’ve visited Venice before.
Given the short amount of time, to maximize your time, for the type of trip you are envisioning, I would suggest renting a car in Venice then driving the route:
Venice
Cortina
Ortisei (Val Gardena)
Merano
Stelvio Pass
Tirano (Bernina Express)
Varenna (lake Como)
Milan airport
Trains travel down in the valleys, not up to the mountains, so to go the mountains you would need to take at least a bus from a train station.
Bolzano, Merano have railways, since they are down the valley (from Venice you would reach them via Verona).
Tirano and Varenna also have railways, but to reach them from Merano or Bolzano, you would need to back track back to Verona then Milan, then up north again to Varenna and Tirano.
You won’t be able to properly visit all of the above in less than a week. Even less so if you don’t have a car. You’ll be able to do the drive, but then you need to decide which of the above interests you most to stay overnight for a night or two.
Posted by
North Carolina
2457 posts
If you go to Merano, I recommend the Gardens at Trauttmansdorff Castle.
Posted by
Irving
2972 posts
You need a minimum of two nights in Venice if not three so you can get lost on the lagoon. You also want to ride the water bus at twilight from one end of the canal to the other. This way you won’t see the decay on the palaces that line the canal, but will see their interiors illuminated by large crystal chandeliers. Each building is an architectural gem.
Since you’re going to fly out of Milan, I would spend time there too and add Lake Como to the itinerary. It would be easier if you don’t rent a car. There are lots of hiking opportunities around Bellagio.
If you stick with your original itinerary and take the train, here’s what you’ll need to do:
Venice to Bolzano (2h 45m with one connection).
Venice to Merano/Meran (4h with two connections).
Merano/Meran to Tirano (6h 45m with three connections that includes a bus).
Bolzano to Tirano (7h 30m with two connections).
Tirano to Milan (2h 45m)
If you do what I recommend:
Venice to Lake Como / Varenna (4h 15m with one connection) and sleep there for two nights.
Varenna to Bellagio (15m ferry ride).
Varenna to Milan (1h 15m) two nights.
Posted by
USA
423 posts
Lake Maggiore is a beautiful area with lovely small islands to explore- and Stresa is a cute little town with shops and restaurants- I loved it there.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Maggiore
Posted by
Southwest Florida
865 posts
If you want less t
"touristy", I would suggest Trento & Bormio. Merano is also a fine choice.