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Suggest Small Villages North of Milan, Italy (Sept, 2 Weeks)

Posted by (Australia) on

Family in Italy for 16 nights, arriving and departing from Milan Malpensa Airport. Hiring a car and heading straight out.

Looking for recommendations on up to 3 or 4 towns or regions to stay in, avoiding big cities. We enjoy mountains, hills, farmlands and lakes but want to steer clear of very busy areas.

Will stay in some areas for at least 3 nights, possibly more. Use it as a base and do a few day trips - driving up to an hour or two away from base - no more. Rather take it slow, learn and soak up the local atmosphere in each area rather than ticking of wish lists and driving all the time.

Is Airbnb a good choice in Italy? We have found many places on there which seem lovely.

Any suggestions on towns or regions that fit this description?

Just one idea of a plan:
Airport to Lake Como (possibly Menaggio) 4 nights
Bergamo 3 nights
Breguzzo 3 nights
Verona 3 nights
Extra 3 nights?? Possibly take last night near Milan airport so it makes the departure day less stressful.

Staying in or near these areas which is possible as we have a car. Just not sure of schedule.

Cheers

Posted by
3153 posts

Are you taking an overnight flight from the US or CA and renting a car on arrival day? If so, I don’t recommend renting a car on the day of arrival after a night of no sleep. Instead, take a bus from Malpensa airport to Stresa on Lake Maggiore and stay there two or three nights before renting a car in Stresa.

Posted by
33577 posts

Since that area is practically on the Swiss border would you consider a place in Switzerland?

Remember, for Italy you each driver needs an IDP, and if driving on highways the car needs a Swiss Vignette (CHF 40 for the year, e-vignettes are easier once you know your number plate)

Posted by
4 posts

Thanks miuccia. Never been north before. Clusone and San Pellegrino Terme are actually next to the area we thought to stay in a rural Airbnb. Possibly we may stay between here and the outskirts of Bergamo as you suggested.

I'll have to look at how busy the town is again. We just don't want the issues that come with busy cities including traffic and crowds.

Thanks for the tips about the last night. We depart in the afternoon so I'm wondering if it may be possible to just choose a site within an hour drive. Maybe at the southern tips of Lake Como. In which case, maybe we should leave this site to our last destination.

Posted by
4 posts

Are you taking an overnight flight from the US or CA and renting a car on arrival day?

From Australia actually so yes, I'll be jetlagged! I have driven in Italy before and thought the ease of having the comfort of our own car straight away and driving only an hour away to our destination, with a stop or two to relax on way, might be best. We arrive early in the day so there's no rush.

Posted by
4 posts

Since that area is practically on the Swiss border would you consider a place in Switzerland?

Remember, for Italy you each driver needs an IDP, and if driving on highways the car needs a Swiss Vignette (CHF 40 for the year, e-vignettes are easier once you know your number plate)

Funny. Our trip was inspired because we were looking at skiing options on that Swiss border and wondered how beautiful it was be in more warmer weather.

We were originally looking at Aosta and thought we could nip into Switzerland and possibly France. We love mountains. But then read so many recommendations for Lake Como and the likes of the eastern areas, as I discussed in my plans, and haven't thought of it again.

Yes I have obtained my international driving permit. Thanks.

Thanks for the heads up on the Swiss Vignette ... forgot all about that one. I think I got fined many years ago when I was crossing between Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

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