Gareththekiwi

Hi, my partner and I have booked 6 nights in Venice, and are looking for suggestions for our 4 nights between arriving in Milan and our booking in Venice. Interested in Lake Garda and Verona areas, and like to get off the beaten track a bit, and exploring smaller towns at a slower pace. Will be travelling by train out of Milan, but could hire a car from our first destination to explore the rest of our route to Venice. Thanks for any suggestions. Gareth.

PalenQ

Lake Garda and Verona are great and I'd base in one of two railheads for Garda and do Verona as a day trip from there. There are lots of places off beaten path accessible by rail and bus - no need for car just for that. No need to book train tickets in advance either as you can take regional trains between those towns in not all that much more time than faster trains and even those are at full fare not that expensive- when landing you never know what trains you will be able to catch from Milan Centrale after taking airport train there. check www.trenitalia.com for schedules and fares -other good rail sites - www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

With 6 days in Venice I'd suggest some easy day trips by train like to Padua and especially Vincenza and of course the lagoon islands like Torcello and Burano.

Jean

What time of year?

I would much rather have a car for exploring small towns "off the beaten path" than having to rely on the timings of trains, buses and ferries. And I find the northern end of Lake Garda much more interesting and scenic than the southern end. But, depending on the time of year, I'd pick the Dolomites over Garda and Verona in a heartbeat.

Chris_Cutler

I'd add going to Treviso, home of Prosecco, while you're in Venice.

I also suggest that you might want to check out Bologna. You can take the train almost anywhere from there and do daytrips.

massimop

There are literally dozens of charming & fascinating off the beaten track itineraries that would be preferable to Lago di Garda or Verona and similar high-draw tourist targets if you really would like to experience the side of beautiful Italy that goes its own merry way without tourism. But in that part of Italy, time of year for travel means some itineraries are better than others. Waste of time to answer without knowing that.

massimop

Also, while there is spectacular scenery to be had in northern Italy in its most mountainous areas, if your interest is enjoying small towns, most of the towns in (for instence the Dolomiti are totally structured for tourism and lack the fascinating character of places like (for Instance) Asolo or Clusone or some other smaller towns and valleys near Lago Iseo or in the Trentino (or south near Mantova and Modena, or around Treviso). Etc. So good to know whether you would like to enjoy beautifully preserved towns or more enjoy being wowed by raw nature.

nochblad

Time of year is crucial to any suggestions.

Dukey1

As someone who has been to the Opera Festival in Verona for many years every Summer I agree that we need to know what time of year you plan on traveling. That can make a huge difference in terms of accommodation availability and crowds in some places.

massimop

The Dolomiti, which has been suggested, is a not a year round destination, and Lago di Garda is a very dreary one for much of the year. It is also inadvisable plan a car trip through many parts of Lombardia and the Veneto at some times of the year, for reasons of snow, fog or heat & crowds.

Obviously the OP will get a lot of bad advice mixed in with the good (often from people who care more about trying throw darts at other posters than actually help the traveller), so hope they can sort through it

PalenQ

Lago di Garda is a very dreary one for much of the year.>

Much? Maybe maybe late fall and winter and early spring but for the time most travel quite nice, times when most folks travel but OP did not tell us when they are going.

PalenQ

Gareth when you going?

Gareththekiwi

Hi everyone, thanks so much for all the helpful tips. We are travelling first 2 weeks of November, ie 3 weeks from now. Maybe not the ideal time but it's a birthday trip. We are interested in both the natural beauty, and beautifully preseved old villages and towns, as well as (especially!)great food experiences, arts & culture....phew, big ask in the time available! Thanks again everyone!

massimop

I think lakes and mountains could be disappointing destinatons, with too much risk of the kind of gray drizzly days and overcast skies (and maybe even downright downpours) that obscure views or make outdoor activities improbable.

The good news is there is charm & many atmospheric small towns to enjoy that don't depend on crystal clear days or getting onto boats within easy reach of the highway or train line

that goes between Milan & Venice

https://indianajo.com/2015/06/prosecco-tour.html

https://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2...-prosecco-road

http://www.cittamurateveneto.it/?lang=en

http://www.veneto-explorer.com/medieval-towns.html

http://rossiwrites.com/category/italy/vicenza/

https://blog.eurail.com/milan-to-venice-by-train/

https://www.departures.com/travel/tr...o-veneto-italy

https://www.i-winereview.com/FoodWin.../1302Soave.php

Jean

Forget the Dolomites. Besides the unfriendly weather in November, many hotels and restaurants would be closed, and I doubt any chair lifts would be operating... But if you're ever back in northern Italy just a month earlier and enjoy dramatic scenery, I highly recommend the area.

I can't speak for Lake Garda at that time, but it isn't a destination I'd choose at that time of year.

If your plan was to train immediately from Malpensa after landing, how long of a train ride sounds right? What time do you land? It would be 2:15 hours to Bologna and nearly 3 hours to Verona. If you headed first to a smaller town, check how many train connections are required and make sure you'd be able to rent a car there.

FWIW, I really like Mantova and Ferrara, and Verona only slightly less. I'm not crazy for Bologna, but it certainly has its avid fans here.

vincenzo32951

Vicenza, by train. If renting a car, a stay at a winery in the Veneto.

Gareththekiwi

Thanks so much for your suggestions massimop, I'll check those lonks out

Gareththekiwi

Oops, links!

PalenQ

In November eschew then lakes much due to yes often dreary weather.

Dukey1

I'd do Bologna for the food as well as the various churches, towers, etc. if nothing else and when we were there for a few days this past summer our train trip over to Ravenna for the mosaics was an easy and satisfying one.

Verona might be of interest for a day or two and at that time of year won't be visitor-jammed.