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Short Mountain/Alps Visit from Milan in April

Posted by (Albany, NY) on

Airfare prices to Milan for April 2015 are reasonable right now. I just got back from a trip to Italy/Cinque Terre and want to go back in April 2015 (Easter Weekend + 4 additional days).

However, I would love to know if there is a place that is easy to get to via public transportation from Milan Malpensa (I will not pay for cab or private car...too expensive) where I could stay for 2 nights in a mountain type place before I head down to Levanto/Cinque Terre. I am not going for the skiing or any winter sports. I am interested in shopping, good restaurants, places that are open on Sundays. I was looking into Zermatt, Switzerland but it seems like the train fares would be very expensive and I have been there before. I am wondering if there are any other ideas?

I would be landing in Milan mid-morning so I would need to be the destination by late afternoon to enjoy that night and the following night. Then, I would travel to Levanto/Cinque Terre for 4-5 more nights to enjoy the remainder of my trip.

Posted by
11852 posts

You could go to Bolzano (Bozen) leaving at 13:05 thru Verona arriving 16:31. It's not quite "in" the mountains but it's close. If you are thinking about Sunday shopping, as long as it is not Easter Sunday, there should be some stores open. You could go on to Castelrotto or teh Val Gardena by bus. The V.G. is "in" the mountains and extremely beautiful. Ortisei is my recommended base town.

Stresa might be nice, but i doubt Sunday shopping will be much of an option. IT is only an hour from MIlan. Lugano an Lake Como also might appeal.

Posted by
500 posts

I cannot make my mind on anything that satisfies your need and does not bring you too distant in the opposite direction. Above all the Sunday shopping is the difficult bit. Milan has a lot of Sunday shopping in the centre, but virtually all Switzerland but the Fox Town outlet and the restaurants does shut op on Sunday (and they are trying to force Fox Town to close as well).

Posted by
238 posts

Thank you for your comments and suggestions. I was told by a couple people that I know that shops and restaurants are open in Cinque Terre/Levanto Easter Sunday and Easter Monday so if I do a mountain excursion maybe I will do it at the end of the week instead.

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