Three of us are planning a tour in Oct. We have train tickets and Airbnb's. We're starting with 5 days in Paris followed by the train to Milan. We want to do 1 tour in each city. We plan 2-3 days in each city. We'd like to try hike and bike tours. I've done a few "free tours by foot" in various cities and I'm wondering if any of you have recommendations for not to miss spots! Thanks in advance.
"Not to Miss Spots" generally are well covered in guidebooks and travel DVDs. Hit your local library. We have always had good luck -- great tours -- from the local TIs. That is general our first stop when we hit a new city. And, of course, not to miss depends a lot on your personal preferences and interests. Hard to respond with no background info. And Oct is not far off.
Hi Linda,
I was just in Milan, Bergamo & Venice in June. And I was in Milan & Verona in 2018. I will attach my trip reports that have activities that I did in those cities. I’m glad you are including Bergamo! The bike tour I mention in the trip report for Verona was so nice because I had been there before. I saw & learned new details about Verona,
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/solo-trip-to-italy-2018
You’re taking the train to Milan instead of flying there from Paris?
I really enjoyed the walking tour of the historic center offered by the Bologna tourist office in 2015.
Bergamo is lovely! We spend a week-10 days there every year. People are friendly, town and surrounding area are gorgeous, and did/wine is delicious.
A walking guided tour of the old town will shed great light in this fascinating pre-Roman city. Highly recommend. We have friends here (and my husband teaches a class there every year) so we have had many (paid) tour guides over the years as well as locals Who share their insights. You can’t go wrong either way
AirBnB’s are plentiful. Just beware thatin those in bergamo Alta (old town) you will hear the plentiful yet beautiful sounds of the basilica bells… OFTEN! So if you are a light sleeper, opt for good earplugs ir a place above the ild town in San Vigilio.
E have stayed in the Gombit Hotel in Alta (directly in the midst if things) as well as at the lovely, more quiet Relais San Vigilio (a few minutes walk or funicale ride from Alta) which is built into the ruins of the old fortress that overlooked bergamo alta; it also has lovely gardens. Service at both places is excellent! Air bnbs in both areas also get high marks from our friends
Food: DaMimo (family run) for anything— inside or outside seating are both charming. Delicious!!! Best casconcelli in town — pizza fantastic too. Had a gorgeous branzino one day (off menu— our soecial waiter offered it to us. Best fish we’d had in years!)
Puzzaria San Vigilio. Best pizza. Spectacular view
La cooperativa has a large garden— Italian version of a beer garden. Very nice. They also train folks who have had hard times for a profession in the hospitality industry. L’Alimentari (next door to popular Bar Flora) has great traditional polenta (all versions) and also does a nice job at aperativo time. (But you can’ go have drinks at the Relais San Vigilio for a spectacular sunset view). The relais also has a beautiful garden for “fine dining”. Reservations recommended.