We have decided this trip to fly into Vienna, SOM tour, then on to Nothern Italy......thinking Lake Como area, Milan, South of France, Cinque terra.....suggestions of where to stay and what is not to be missed. We are considering a car rental after Salzburg, once we arrive in Lake Como area. Are there do-able day trips that would make for easy car options Is it safe and easy to get around in that area. We would NEVER do that in Rome, Paris and the likes. any suggestions would be great!
Posted by
Atlanta
3262 posts
The Rick Steves' Italy book is a great resource and can help you plan an itinerary that includes things that you most want to do. Partly, it depends on how much time you have after Salzburg. You can easily get to the Lake Como region from Milan by train. Once you are there, you can stay in Varenna (just one option) and take the ferry to other villages nearby. You might not even need a rental car. How are you planning to get to Lake Como from Salzburg? When are you traveling? How many days will you have? It would be helpful to know a little more about your plans.
Posted by
OP
Austin, Texas, USA
99 posts
We will have 3 weeks, plus a few days, really open at this point. Don't know exactly how or what we are doing, hence the random and unclear questions :( We will do some more research (have every book he's written but they are all on loan to friends)and then return with more defined questions. I was hoping someone had an itinerary that worked for them and seemed similar in nature / direction.
Thanks
Posted by
southwest, Missouri, U.S.A.
1717 posts
Hello Dawn. I recommend : While you are at Austria and northern Italy, go to more places in AUSTRIA and northern ITALY. Do not go to France in this trip. In Rick Steves' book on Austria, read about Melk and the Danube River boat ride. In the book "Rick Steves' Italy" read about Verona. And you can go to Lake Garda from Verona. (Read about Lake Garda in an other book on Italy). And in "Rick Steves' Italy" read about Stresa at Lake Maggiore, and day trips from Stresa. And you can go to the Cinque Terre villages. I recommend : do not rent a car.
Posted by
OP
Austin, Texas, USA
99 posts
Thank you so much!!! That is very helpful :)
Posted by
Alpine, CA, USA
47 posts
We visited Austria & northern Italy in May 2012 for 2 1/2 weeks. Flew into Vienna (4 nights), Salzburg (3 nights), Castelrotto (3 nights), Verona (1 night), Bellagio (3 nights) and Milan (2 nights) then flew home from there. Did this trip entirely by train and it worked perfectly (we have rented cars on previous Europe trips, but it wasn't necessary for this one). Recommend Schonbrunn Palace, Melk Abbey, SOM tour (we did Maria's bike tour & loved it), fortress in Salzburg, take ferry to various towns on Lake Como, Milan cathedral & Last Supper. We had originally planned to visit Cinque Terre but substituted Castelrotto due to proximity. Will see it on a future trip. Enjoy!