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Spring in Northern Italy

Posted by (Vancouver, WA) on

When: March 25 - April 7 (13 days)
Who: 2 adults (late 50s)
Transportation: Train

We will be with family on the coast of Croatia until March 25, then meeting up with family in Basel on April 7. We want to explore some of Northern Italy. Plan is to start in Venice and end at Lake Como before taking the Bernina Express to Chur, then train to Basel to meet family. Trying to figure out our best route and stops between Venice and Lake Como. We had originally thought Florence, Siena and CT, but are wondering if we are wandering to far south in the time we have. Definitely want to spend time in CT, but wondering if there are better stops than Florence and Siena (saving that for our next trip). We plan on a day in Milan to see the duomo. We love outdoors, history, unique sights, small towns. Not big on art museums, big cities. We will have backpacks and be traveling by train, so stops need to be on train route. TIA :o)

Posted by
3812 posts

I don't think Tuscany is too far south: High speed trains take 2 hours and 15 from Venice to Florence and 1 hour and 50 from Florence back to Milan.

Without a car you can visit towns like Lucca, Siena and Pisa, not the small hill villages like San Gimignano. Picking a rental car in central Florence without entering the ZTL is not a big problem, but try to drop it somewhere else.

The problem is the Cinque Terre (assuming you are not going to CaTania!): It may rain in late march and it's not on an high speed railway line. Monterosso is the biggest village of the Cinque Terre. It's also the less boring, especially if it rains and you can't hike or take the ferries. There are Intercity trains from Firenze Campo di Marte station to Monterosso (3 hours, 1 change in La Spezia) and from Monterosso to Milano Centrale (no changes, 3 hours).

Posted by
9294 posts

Have you made reservations to see Da Vinci’s Last Supper while in Milan? I’d say that painting is
“ unique.” The garden across from where the fresco is located is lovely as well.

You might consider visiting the San Bernardino Alle Ossa.

Posted by
3315 posts

If you add a night in Florence, you can take a day trip to Siena by direct bus (1h 15m). Once there visit it’s duomo in the old town then walk over to Il Campo square.

Have you made reservations to see Da Vinci’s Last Supper while in Milan? I’d say that painting is
“ unique.”

I agree!

Posted by
386 posts

I suggest checking out historical weather data for the Cinque Terre, and also find out what is open. I would hesitate visiting there in March

Posted by
385 posts

Due to the feedback we have received, we have decided to shift our trip to mostly between Venice and Tirano, leaving CT for another time

Posted by
15798 posts

Bologna is a good base to explore any number of charming towns because it's a rail hub. As a bonus, it's cheaper than most other towns and doesn't attract nearly as many tourists. Ravenna is outstanding and worth 2 nights though it's possible as a day trip from Bologna. Others find Padua very enjoyable. Verona is on the way west, do stop for a night or even 2.

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