We are ending our 3 weeks in Italy on Nov.9, 2010 and leaving from Malpensa airport. We are debating whether to stay our last 2 nights in Milan or in Stresa. We will be seeing the Last Supper on Nov. 7 in Milan after we arrive by train in Milan. Stresa sounds beautiful, but we've found only two hotels opened in November and we are worried about making it to the Malpensa airport by 8:15 am(our flight leaves at 10:15 am). It seems that there are no shuttle buses running in November and we are a worried about making the train to Gallarte, bus to airport. Help!
Posted by
partout
71 posts
I love Milan, and since you are seeing the Last Supper on the 7th, I think you should just both spend both of those night there. On the 8th, you can do a day-trip up to Stresa (1-1.5hrs each way) if you don't like Milan. If you do go to Stresa, make sure you go to the Isole Borromeo.
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
Stresa is likely to be dark and dull in November. (Full disclosure of personal experience, I've only bee there in May and June). It's a resort town and has little to recommend it off-season.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32325 posts
Laura,
Given the fact that you have such an early flight, staying in Milan the night before would be a good idea. You could (as suggested in another reply) take a day trip to Stresa, as it's only about an hour from Milan. You could also consider a day trip to Varenna (Lago di Como) as it's also about an hour from Milan.
You might consider staying near Via Dante, which is within walking distance to the Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele. It's also close to Metro stops.
When it's time to go to the airport, take a Taxi or walk to Milano Cadorna station and use the Malpensa Express to the airport. It's a very easy trip (about 36 minutes) and not subject to "traffic issues". As I recall, the cost is €11 per person. There's a ticket office at Cadorna station if you wanted to buy your tickets the previous day (the office is on the left side as I recall). There are departures every half hour, beginning at 06:30.
Happy travels!
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA, USA
7 posts
Thank you for your help. Looks like we'll just stay in Milan and make a day trip to Stresa. Seems like its easier to get to the airport early from Milan than Stresa. We start our 3 week Italian vacation in Varenna (coming from Zurich to St. Moritz, then Bernina Express route to Varenna), 3 nights there (with Laura at Hotel Olviedo--we bonded; both Lauras born on exactly the same day & same name!). Anyway we won't return there, just wanted to check out Stresa. Appreciate everyone's input.