Hi travelers, my husband and I are ending a cruise in Venice in mid May next year, so spending a couple days there, then spending a couple days in Milan. We have at least another week, and don’t know where to go! We’ve seen a lot of Italy, and were in Switzerland last May for 3 weeks. We’ve seen Ricks highlights in France, but have never been to Spain or Portugal. Would we be better off to fly or rent a car? What are some of your favorite places to stay there? What not to miss? Suggestions? Many thanks!! Dawn
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
446 posts
San Sebastian. Hands down.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2059 posts
Thirty minutes by train from Venice is PADUA- a really fascinating medieval city Shakespeare put in his plays. PADUA has a University dating back to the 1200’s. The towns of ORTISEI and CASTELROTTO in the Dolomite mountains are an option. They can be reached from Bolzano by bus in 45 minutes. Flixbus travels from Padua to Bolzano in 3:45. One of the most scenic train rides in the World— the BERNINA EXPRESS begins in TIRANO, Italy and reaches St Moritz, Switzerland in 2.5 hours. Regular Swiss trains travel the same route with tickets costing much less than the “Bernina Express” trains.
Return to Tirano and continue by train/bus to VARENNA-ESINO train station in 90 minutes and you’ll be on the shores of Lake Como. Stay in VARENNA or BELLAGIO, a 15-minute ferry ride from VARENNA.
VARENNA-ESINO to the Milano Centrale train station in one hour completes the journey.
For train schedules, fares and tickets: www.TheTrainline.com
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11892 posts
but have never been to Spain or Portugal. Would we be better off to fly or rent a car?
If you intend to to depart from Milan ( or Venice) flying is a much better choice.
A one way rental car would incur a large one way drop fee ( probably in the $800-$1000 range)
Milan to Lisbon is 1300+ miles so if you drove, that is pretty much all you would be doing if your plan is to fly home from Milan.