justretired

Hi,

My husband and I are making our third trip to Italy this fall (mid-late September) and are hoping to explore Northern Italy, including the Lakes, the Dolomites, Milan, and Venice. We've been to Venice on a past trip and are looking forward to a return visit. We're in the "planning" stage (I know, I know- we're a bit late) and wanted to check with our Fodor friends about our itinerary.

Upon arriving in Milan, (still aren't sure whether we'll be at Malpensa or Ligate), we thought we'd rent a car and head straight for Maggiore (2-3 night)- then to Como(3 nights) and Garda (3 nights, including a day trip to Verona). From Lake Garda, we thought we'd head to the Dolomites for 2-3 nights, and then to Asola for a night before heading down to Venice for 3 nights. We'd get rid of the car in Venice and after our stay there, train to Milan for 2 nights before heading home.

OK, Fodorites, since many of you know the area so well, I'd love some comments on our itinerary. We are in our early 60s, are healthy and like to walk, but are not athletic at all. My husband speaks Italian. We love art (I am actually an artist), gardens, exploring small villages, or just sitting in cafes. We prefer B @ B's or inns to large hotels and enjoy meeting new people, both other toursits and locals. I think we understand that this is a different trip than usual- rather "lazy," perhaps? Rick Steves doesn't seem to like the lakes, but others, including Karen Brown love them. Are we planning too much time there?

Thanks in advance for nay help you can give us.

-Margret

DeirdreStraughan

I live on Lake Como, so perhaps I'm prejudiced, but I think it's one of the most beautiful places on earth (and I've seen a lot of places). For what you're looking for, your itinerary sounds perfect to me.

best regards,
Deirdré Straughan

www.straughan.com (personal)
www.tvblob.com (work)

justretired

Thanks Deidre,

I just looked at your web site, and it was a fountain of info- thanks so much for sharing it with all of us. Since you live in the area, do you have suggestions on places to stay in any of the places I mentioned. I gather you know Milan and Como well. Budget wise, we're hoping to spend less than 150 euros- even less in the countrside, but would be willing to spend more if necessary- particularly in Milan or venice.

Do you know the travel time between the lakes? On the map, some look closer than others, but it's hard to know the travel time. We generally like to stay in fewer places and take day trips, but it seemed that, since each area is a wonderful gem, staying near each lake would be most appropriate. Is that thinking correct?

Thanks again,

Margret

travelphile

Hi JustR...

I think your itinerary sounds excellent! I spent 4 days on Lake Garda (town of Garda) in 2002, and for my trip next year I am deciding between Maggiore and Como for 2-3 nights. The daytrip to Verona is an easy one, and then we drove to Venice, dropped the car off at Marco Polo, and took a water taxi in to our hotel.

In Garda we stayed at the Excelsior (website should be easy to find), as of 2002 it fit in your price range, I haven't checked lately! They have a great bar at the front desk with a wine pour, we made great use of it those four days! There is a full board option, we opted in only one day and had a great meal. In town, Casa Fernandez was one of our best meals in Italy -cheapest too! A very motherly-type woman caught me checking their menu -I was looking for Risotto - didn't find it, but she offered to make me Funghi Risotto anyway - it was love at first bite.

That's enough rambling for now... Trav

justretired

Thanks, Trav- I can't find a web site for the Excelsior- does it have a more elaborate name with it? I tried Hotel Excelsior, with no results for a web site. I'll keep hunting.

We made our flights- arriving 9/15 and leaving 10/3 ( in and out of MXP, through Zurich), and are in the process of reserving hotel rooms. I've read a lot in books and on the forum and have taken copious notes. Any special places you know about would be much appreciated. We'd love to find some wonderful inns. Our itinerary is pretty much as atated above unless anyone has suggestions.

Thanks, Margret

bobthenavigator

Good for you Margrit !
The trip sounds great. I am not sure of your total time--I am assuming about 13 nites in Italy. I would try to settle on 4 destinations in that time, perhaps like this:
Lago Maggiore---3--to include Orta
Lago Como--3--drive via Lugano
I would skip Garda after 6 nites on Lakes, and see Verona enroute to the Dolomites.
Dolomites--3--stay in Castelrotto
Venice---4

I hate one niters, but Asolo is a cute village---see the Palladio villa at Maser if you decide on one nite here. And, you can day trip to the north end of Garda from Castelrotto--take the ferry from Riva around the lake. Good luck---you will have fun !

justretired

Bob,

We have a total of 18 nights, and had thought to devide them as such:

arrive MXP 9/15- rent car and drive to Maggiore

Maggiore - 3 nights
Como- 3 nights
Garda- 3 nights (we had palnned to include Verona here, but do you think we should shorten this or eliminate it and just go to Verona?) I've been concerned that there is "too" much lakes, if there's such a thing.

Dolomites- 2-3 nights (we're a little concerned about the driving here- or at least I am, and I won't be driving. Any thoughts?)

Asola- 1 night

Venice- Return car in Venice, and stay 3 nights (since we've been before, we feel we don't have to be near St Marks, though we're not against it, per se- any thoughts of lodging off the beaten path, but still near a vaporetto- we'd like to keep it under $200, if possible)

Milan- 2 nights, after taking the train from Venice to Milan)

Since we haven't booked anything, we have flexability. Any thoughts?

Thanks, Margret

travelphile

I only have a sec... but here's the link... http://www.excelsiorleterrazze.com/hotel_uk.html

It was great, and I enjoyed lake Garda, but haven't been to others, so I can't advise on 'too much lakes'. After being at one, I can't imagine it! If you like exploring picturesque little villages, I don't think multiple lakes will tire you. BUT... BTN is the champ so if he says so, go with his thoughts! Trav