My wife and I have signed up for Rick Steves' 17 Day Tour of Italy. For those of you that have been on this tour, is there anything you wished you had known before departing on the trip? We will be going in September. Also, we plan to arrive one day before the tour starts. If we arrive some time around mid-day in Milan, would you recommend we spend the night in Milan or leave for Varenna?
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32212 posts
yosemite,
I'd suggest arriving at least two days prior to the start of the tour (if possible). It may take you a day or two to get over jet lag, and it's also prudent to allow some time for flight delays or whatever.
Regarding your last question, my suggestion would be to go straight to Varenna. It's a much nicer location to recover from jet lag than Milan (IMO). After arrival at MXP, it will take about 52M for the trip to Milan Centrale via the Malpensa Express, a short layover of perhaps an hour or so, and then a trip of 1H:03M to Varenna. The group here can provide more specific transportation directions if you need them.
September is a great time of year for travels in Italy.
Buon Viaggio!
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15585 posts
Look at the scrapbook section https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show/rome-back-street-riches
There's probably at least one a year for that tour and/or others in Italy that cover some of the same ground. Many are excellent and contain lots of good advice.
I agree with Ken. Go straight to Varenna, and add another pre-tour day if possible.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2354 posts
Though I agree Varenna is lovely, let me make a pitch for at least a stop over in Milan. I arrived late afternoon in Milan the day before the tour started. I did a quick walk about and early dinner on arrival and then spent the next morning catching some sights, before taking a 2pm train to Varenna. The duomo is lovely (take the hike up to the roof, it's spectacular). I tried (but failed) to see the daVinci Last Supper, but I think that would be a once-in-a-lifetime viewing (and a preview for the other spectacular art you'll see on the trip). I also enjoyed a few hours in the Castello Sforzesco - there's an unfinished Michelangelo statue that is really interesting to see (and again, a preview for other art you'll see on the tour).
I'd also suggest tagging on a day at the end of the tour to see a few more things in Rome. I made reservations at the Galleria Borghese and was so glad I went - really amazing art and sculpture in an exquisite setting.
And because you asked, I wish I had known to eat more gelato. Don't think, "it's dessert, I shouldn't eat so much dessert." Eat every kind you can, wherever you are, whatever time of day. Because I still think about the gelato and it has been 10 years since I took the tour. :)
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15585 posts
dessert???? I thought the 4 basic food groups in Italy were nocciola gelato, lampone gelato, cioccolato gelato and caramello gelato (okay, maybe noce di cocco). (***)
Cannoli and and panna cotta are desserts.
(***) hazelnut, raspberry, chocolate and caramel or coconut
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Uh, Chani, you forgot pistacchio.