I will be traveling to Italy for 3+ weeks next summer. Flying into Milan, I am looking for a place nearby (within a hour or two by train)to unwind for 3 to 4 days. Since I've been to Bellagio & Lake Como I am ruling that out. I think I would like the Lakes region but not sure where. I will be staying at the Cinque Terra later in my trip so I am ruling that out also. I am also open to other ideas. Suggestions are welcome. Thanks
Jim
Posted by
Harrison, NY, 10528
53 posts
Hello Jim, have you considered Lago di Garda? It takes about two hours, sometimes less, to go from Milano Centrale to the station at Garda. I think it is called Peschiera di Garda. The lake is a popular resort for Italians and Germans; not many Americans. In addition, if you wish to go a bit farther north into the Veneto, the town of Torbole on the north shore of Lago di Garda is filled with Italians on holiday, but few foreigners. Happy travels, Will
Posted by
Atlanta
3262 posts
They're not on the water but what about Verona and/or Bologna?
Posted by
Seattle, WA, United States
64 posts
My definition of unwinding from Northern Italy is Lauterbrunnen / Murren Switzerland. Leave Milano Centrale at 7AM or 8AM, 4 hours later and an awesome train ride around alpine lakes and through the Alps, and you arrive around noon/1PM. Google "Lauterbrunnen Valley" and select "Images" to see what I mean.
Posted by
Seattle, USA
990 posts
Bergamo is just about exactly an hour away by train. We spent a week there a couple of years ago because I had a conference there, but we loved the walled old city (connected by a funicular train to the nineteenth century 'lower city'). Easy walking and strolling, beautiful mountain scenery as a backdrop, and it's off the foreign tourist beaten track, though a lot of Italians know of its charms.
Posted by
Denver
799 posts
I would go to Bologna, because I love its untouristy feel and great food; also easy to get to other cities by train for great day trips. But other suggestions would be Bergamo, which I haven't been to but have researched (we couldn't fit it into our itinerary) or Torino (which I have been to, and didn't like so much, but others seem to love it). If you're interested in wine at all, and willing to rent a car, then consider the rural areas of the Piedmont region, home of Barolo wine.
Posted by
Coraopolis, Pa, USA
1018 posts
We like Tirano about 2 hours east of Milano in the Valtellina. It is just sloghtly north of Sondrio and at the base of the Bernina Pass. You could take the Bernina Express up through the valley to St. Moritz, which is the ritzest and expensive place on the planet. This is an easy day trip. Just outside of St. Moritz is Silvaplana with the funicular up to the top of Mt. Corvatsch. Buon viaggio,
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
Jim, Have you considered Stresa on Lago Maggiore? It's about an hour from Milan by train, and a wonderful place to "unwind" for a few days. while there you could visit the Borromeo Islands or take a day trip to Locarno (Switzerland) on the scenic Cento Valli Railway. You might also have a look at Sirmione on Lago di Garda. Happy travels!