Lake Como or Milan or Cinque Terre
Nov 13th, 2005, 11:12 PM
#1
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Lake Como or Milan or Cinque Terre
Hi all,
I need some advice from people who have been there themselves!
I am planning a couple of nights in Cinque Terre in early April next year (in between other travel plans). From there I will take the train to Milan. I can either stay in Milan for 2 nights or travel to Lake Como. My flight to London leaves Malpensa at noon after the 2nd night - would I easily be able to get to the airport from Lake Como in time?
Can anyone advise what Lake Como is like at the time of year? Would it be better to stay in Milan for the 2 nights, keeping in mind that I would arrive most likely in the afternoon from La Spezia, have one full day then leave the following day at noon.
Also would it be better to simply stay an extra night in Cinque Terre (3 nights overall) then stay 1 night in Milan prior to flying out?
Any advice and opinions would be appreciated!!
PS Also I am a 26 yr old female and will be travelling alone, first time in Europe!
Thanks
I need some advice from people who have been there themselves!
I am planning a couple of nights in Cinque Terre in early April next year (in between other travel plans). From there I will take the train to Milan. I can either stay in Milan for 2 nights or travel to Lake Como. My flight to London leaves Malpensa at noon after the 2nd night - would I easily be able to get to the airport from Lake Como in time?
Can anyone advise what Lake Como is like at the time of year? Would it be better to stay in Milan for the 2 nights, keeping in mind that I would arrive most likely in the afternoon from La Spezia, have one full day then leave the following day at noon.
Also would it be better to simply stay an extra night in Cinque Terre (3 nights overall) then stay 1 night in Milan prior to flying out?
Any advice and opinions would be appreciated!!
PS Also I am a 26 yr old female and will be travelling alone, first time in Europe!
Thanks
Nov 13th, 2005, 11:59 PM
#2
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Como is beginning to warm up. Boat trips are possible, but they are a bit Anita Brookner-ish, aren't they?
There's actually quite good hillwalking behind Como. But otherwise, what on earth are you going to do there for two days?
Milan, OTOH, is the fashion centre of the world. Even I enjoy window shopping (or rather window trying to stop Mrs F shopping) along Via della Spiga and the nearby streets. No art gallery anywhere has such stylish neighbours as the Pinacoteca di Brera. The nearby Poldi Pezzoli out-Fricks the Frick in the compact museum stakes. Rinascente Duomo has the best view from a department store coffee bar there is to be found on this planet.
And that's before we start thinking about Leonardo, or the wonderful St Ambrogio. Or the restaurants. Or the salumerie.
Save the Lakes for when you're older, when you're travelling with a car, for a dirty weekend - or contemplating authorship of a self-indulgent novel about spinsterhood.
There's actually quite good hillwalking behind Como. But otherwise, what on earth are you going to do there for two days?
Milan, OTOH, is the fashion centre of the world. Even I enjoy window shopping (or rather window trying to stop Mrs F shopping) along Via della Spiga and the nearby streets. No art gallery anywhere has such stylish neighbours as the Pinacoteca di Brera. The nearby Poldi Pezzoli out-Fricks the Frick in the compact museum stakes. Rinascente Duomo has the best view from a department store coffee bar there is to be found on this planet.
And that's before we start thinking about Leonardo, or the wonderful St Ambrogio. Or the restaurants. Or the salumerie.
Save the Lakes for when you're older, when you're travelling with a car, for a dirty weekend - or contemplating authorship of a self-indulgent novel about spinsterhood.
Nov 14th, 2005, 09:07 AM
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Hi Chelsea, I would definetly stay in Milan..love flanneruk's thoughts btw!
Milan is a fabulous city and think you would enjoy it..although I don't know your likes and dislikes of course. Do you know that you can catch the Milpensa airport shuttle bus from the central train station in Milan (Centrale) to take you to Malpensa airport? Think ticket is 5 Euro. There is storage under the bus for the luggage. Have a wonderful trip.
Milan is a fabulous city and think you would enjoy it..although I don't know your likes and dislikes of course. Do you know that you can catch the Milpensa airport shuttle bus from the central train station in Milan (Centrale) to take you to Malpensa airport? Think ticket is 5 Euro. There is storage under the bus for the luggage. Have a wonderful trip.
Nov 14th, 2005, 09:07 AM
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Hi Chelsea
Agree with flanneruk -- if you are young and alone, skip Como and enjoy Milan. If you are there on a Sunday, there is a fun antique/flea market in the Navigil (canal) area. Great for trendy cheap sunglasses and good people watching. I'm sorry, I can't remember which Sunday of the month it is held, but your hotel would know.
Make sure you go up to the roof of the Duomo; beautuful view. And the Brera neighborhood flanneruk mentions has good little restaurants; Nabucco is a bit touristy, but I had the best risotto and osso bucco there. (And they were gracious to the single diners who were eating there the night we were.)
The Cinque Terre is a beautiful area; you will probably have no trouble meeting other 20-something travelers there. Delicious food!
Agree with flanneruk -- if you are young and alone, skip Como and enjoy Milan. If you are there on a Sunday, there is a fun antique/flea market in the Navigil (canal) area. Great for trendy cheap sunglasses and good people watching. I'm sorry, I can't remember which Sunday of the month it is held, but your hotel would know.
Make sure you go up to the roof of the Duomo; beautuful view. And the Brera neighborhood flanneruk mentions has good little restaurants; Nabucco is a bit touristy, but I had the best risotto and osso bucco there. (And they were gracious to the single diners who were eating there the night we were.)
The Cinque Terre is a beautiful area; you will probably have no trouble meeting other 20-something travelers there. Delicious food!
Nov 14th, 2005, 05:08 PM
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Thanks for all the responses!! You have helped me make my mind up
I will definitely stay in Milan, even if I only arrive at lunch time and leave the following lunch time. That should be enough time to look around (and prevent me spending too much!), and I will probably stay somewhere central to the city. I think I will stay the 3 nights in Cinque Terre instead of 2 - that way I can spend one day hiking and exploring, and the other full day just relaxing and soaking up that mediterranean atmosphere!! *sigh* can't wait!!
Cheers!
I will definitely stay in Milan, even if I only arrive at lunch time and leave the following lunch time. That should be enough time to look around (and prevent me spending too much!), and I will probably stay somewhere central to the city. I think I will stay the 3 nights in Cinque Terre instead of 2 - that way I can spend one day hiking and exploring, and the other full day just relaxing and soaking up that mediterranean atmosphere!! *sigh* can't wait!!
Cheers!
