We are flying into Venice in early June and staying either two or three nights, then taking the train to Milan and staying either three or four nights. Any suggestions about the best allocation? In the past, we've found two nights in Venice to be sufficient. Three nights in Milan seems long. We'll be doing day trips while we're there, but I'm wondering about the feasibility of substituting one night in Milan for one in the Cinque Terre vs doing a day trip to the CT. Any thoughts? We'll be with our son, who is a college student. Thanks!
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
Three nights is indeed too long for Milan. Consider Turin or Genoa. The latter is close to Cinque Terre.
Posted by
Portland
3597 posts
Have you been to the cities of the Veneto? Without any information about your interests, I’ll mention that Vicenza is noteworthy for its Palladian architecture; and Verona, for its Roman remains and church of San Zeno. Padova has multiple attractions. I prefer all three to Milan. As for the CT, not in the same league as any of the four. Not even close.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
You could spend two nights in Stresa on Lake Maggiore. http://www.illagomaggiore.com/en_US/home
Posted by
OP
12 posts
Perhaps I should have clarified that any nights we spend in Milan will be paid for by my husband's firm, as he's attending a conference. That's the only reason we were planning on three nights there.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11180 posts
A day trip to CT from Milan, is likely a day you will spend more time in transit than there. Much better to spend a night than try a day trip.
Lake Como ( Varenna) would be better as a day trip than CT
Posted by
Massachusetts
847 posts
I wouldn't do a day trip to the CT from Milan but there are lots of others - Lake Como, Lugano (Switzerland), Bergamo, Cremona, Pavia, Parma. I've easily spent 5 nights in Milan with day trips on more than one occasion. If your hotel is being paid for I'd think it would be a no brainer. Although I also agree that Verona and Padua are wonderful.
Posted by
Portland, OR
1091 posts
I was going to say Lake Como as the previous poster suggested. Turin is also an easy day trip. June in CT as a day tripper? My idea of pure hell......
Posted by
Sunriver
1321 posts
I have to agree from Milan I'd look to day trip to the Lake Como or Maggiorie CT is indeed too far.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Another great day trip would be Bergamo.
About an hour train ride from Milan.
https://shershegoes.com/bergamo-italy/
I've included this link because the pictures and descriptions are excellent,
Posted by
Monterey County, CA (formerly Verbania Italy-Lago Maggiore)
1626 posts
We live on Lago Maggiore and have done day trips to Milan.
So Easy enough to do day trip from Milan to Maggiore- about an hour+ train to Stresa or Baveno. With a circulation ticket on the ferry, can take the ferry between either if those towns to Isola Bella, Isola Madre, Pallanza, and Villa Taranto. There are beautiful lakeside pedestrian walks along the lakeshore with spectacular views.
From Stresa you can take the tram up to Mottarone , and down, or there is a hike down where you end up in Baveno.
The Summer ferry schedule is not on line yet. Take screen prints of train schedules so you know options to get back to Milan. No reason to reserve anything in advance.
Happy to help with a plan for you if you like. We’ve done it all.