Lake Como or Milan
May 31st, 2013, 03:40 AM
#1
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Lake Como or Milan
Suggestions on part of our Europe itinerary:
......day 1: Travel from Salzburg
nights 1 and 2 - Verona/Vicenza/Padua (still need to decide where and its hard!)
nights 3 and 4 - Milan OR Bellagio OR one night in each
Day 5 - Travel to Grindelwald.....
I have heard that Milan is not that great but my partners keen to see it, could we just drive through and still get the Milan experience or do we need to stay? Should we actually put Milan higher up the list than Bellagio anyway?
......day 1: Travel from Salzburg
nights 1 and 2 - Verona/Vicenza/Padua (still need to decide where and its hard!)
nights 3 and 4 - Milan OR Bellagio OR one night in each
Day 5 - Travel to Grindelwald.....
I have heard that Milan is not that great but my partners keen to see it, could we just drive through and still get the Milan experience or do we need to stay? Should we actually put Milan higher up the list than Bellagio anyway?
May 31st, 2013, 03:49 AM
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<i><font color=#555555>"I have heard that Milan is not that great"</font></i>
1. What type of thrill are you seeking?
2. One can only assume history was not your subject.
3. What city experience could possibly be "great" when spending only 1-2 nights?
1. What type of thrill are you seeking?
2. One can only assume history was not your subject.
3. What city experience could possibly be "great" when spending only 1-2 nights?
May 31st, 2013, 04:02 AM
#3
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Right thanks for that. As like many travellers on here there is limited time, I'd love to spend more time everywhere but cannot so we are hoping to see as much as possible in a short time frame.
I have read forums where Milan has been given a bad rap - I haven't been, take it up with them!
ps. I did exceptionally well in history at school.
I have read forums where Milan has been given a bad rap - I haven't been, take it up with them!
ps. I did exceptionally well in history at school.
May 31st, 2013, 04:33 AM
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Milan is a very large city with considerable traffic. A "quick" drive through it is not going to be pleasant unless you do it on a holiday. Milan is great for shopping, particularly for woman's clothes and shoes. There are many designer outlets. The cathedral and the Last Supper painting are the main tourist sights. There are great many great restaurants and food shops. If you are interested in a big city experience it is fine, but most of the city core is a financial and business center which I don't think is of interest to the average tourist. If you want to do both, stay in the town of Como both nights. You can take a fast hydrofoil boat to Bellagio one day, and its only a 45 min train to Milan's Central train station so you could go in for the day and see the main sights. Como is a very nice town on the bottom of the lake.
May 31st, 2013, 04:50 AM
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Did both last July. Milan was generally disappointing although Cathedral was beautiful. Very much a commercial city with usual (expensive designer) shops and like. Travelled from Milan to Bellagio by train and ended up extending our time there from 2 to 3 nights. It was "heaven on earth"! A beautiful relaxing spot. We stayed in Bellaggio overlooking the Lake and loved every minute! Feel no need or desire to return to Milan. I'd be back at Lake Como tomorrow if I could.
May 31st, 2013, 06:00 AM
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About Milano-Bellagio: I'm Italian and I know these places. Flinn's answer is perfect. The historic center of Milan is difficult to reach quickly, the best way for you is by train from Como!
Look here train timetable:
http://www.trenitalia.com/
some trains (the best are called "Eurocity") are very fast (30-40 min)!
From the Milan Central Station take the metro and get off in cathedral area (Duomo). From here you can take a walk at duomo, via Montenapoleone etc ... Your patners will be satisfied and you too!
In Milano there are a lot of important museum, but I do not recommend them unless you have time!
Como is not the best spot to visit the lake, but it is a very lovely Town to stay overnight, take 2-3 hours for visit (and shopping!) during day. From here you can reach the "centre lake area": Menaggio-Bellagio-Varenna. These three village are on the three opposite side of the lake, but ferry plies frequently between them. It carries passengers and cars.
Look here train timetable:
http://www.trenitalia.com/
some trains (the best are called "Eurocity") are very fast (30-40 min)!
From the Milan Central Station take the metro and get off in cathedral area (Duomo). From here you can take a walk at duomo, via Montenapoleone etc ... Your patners will be satisfied and you too!
In Milano there are a lot of important museum, but I do not recommend them unless you have time!
Como is not the best spot to visit the lake, but it is a very lovely Town to stay overnight, take 2-3 hours for visit (and shopping!) during day. From here you can reach the "centre lake area": Menaggio-Bellagio-Varenna. These three village are on the three opposite side of the lake, but ferry plies frequently between them. It carries passengers and cars.
May 31st, 2013, 06:35 AM
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May i give you an important suggestion? Stay in Verona and go at Garda lake! In US (are you from U.S.?) it is'n so polular, but I DON'T KNOW WHY!!! It is one of the most important jewels of Italy, but American tourists don't know it (the Germans know the secret very well...)
Search on google images: "Lazise", or "Sirmione" or "Malcesine", only for example!
The east side of the lake is comparable to "cinque terre" or "costiera amalfitana" and you can visit many village in one day, by car or by ferry. From Verona it is very easy to reach, but I raccomande you working days, because in weekends it is full of tourists from all north of Italy and from German.
Search on google images: "Lazise", or "Sirmione" or "Malcesine", only for example!
The east side of the lake is comparable to "cinque terre" or "costiera amalfitana" and you can visit many village in one day, by car or by ferry. From Verona it is very easy to reach, but I raccomande you working days, because in weekends it is full of tourists from all north of Italy and from German.
May 31st, 2013, 06:50 AM
#9
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It depends on what you want to see, beautiful scenery or art/history.
Milan has the Duomo, Last Supper at Santa Maria della Grazie, Pinacoteca di Brera, Sforza Castle, La Scala, etc.
Bellagio has lovely vistas and a much more tranquil setting.
Milan has the Duomo, Last Supper at Santa Maria della Grazie, Pinacoteca di Brera, Sforza Castle, La Scala, etc.
Bellagio has lovely vistas and a much more tranquil setting.
May 31st, 2013, 08:04 AM
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The train itinerary from Padova/Verona to Grindelwald goes along Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. Both are as beautiful as Lake Como. There is absolutely no need to make a detour via Lake Como.
The motorway itinerary from Padova/Verona to Grindelwald goes along Lake Garda and Lake Lugano. Both are as beautiful as Lake Como. There is absolutely no need to make a detour via Lake Como.
Go into Milan if you are interested in the History, the churches and museums of this town, Otherwise skip it.
The motorway itinerary from Padova/Verona to Grindelwald goes along Lake Garda and Lake Lugano. Both are as beautiful as Lake Como. There is absolutely no need to make a detour via Lake Como.
Go into Milan if you are interested in the History, the churches and museums of this town, Otherwise skip it.
May 31st, 2013, 08:11 AM
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Personally, I would spend the time at one of the lakes. But if your reason for going to Milan is to see the Last Supper, that could be very worthwhile, though i believe that advance reservations are needed.
Jun 2nd, 2013, 05:11 AM
#14
Going along a lake by train is not, and never will be, the same as staying there.
If you want shopping you can do that in Bellagio. The lakes can be mobbed (as in Bellagio) just as some cities are. But mid-Lake Como is very scenic and there is a reason a lot of people have gone there for decades.
If you want relaxation I would go to any of the lakes vs. Milan. Just don;t get angry when all those other visitors who supposedly "know the secret" show up also.
If you want shopping you can do that in Bellagio. The lakes can be mobbed (as in Bellagio) just as some cities are. But mid-Lake Como is very scenic and there is a reason a lot of people have gone there for decades.
If you want relaxation I would go to any of the lakes vs. Milan. Just don;t get angry when all those other visitors who supposedly "know the secret" show up also.
Jun 2nd, 2013, 07:33 AM
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IMHO Bardolino and Lazise are good hot-spot to visit the lake.
Lazise is very pitouresque and more quiet than Bardolino.
Bardlino is full of life, restaurant and cafes, with a long pedestrian front lake promenade.
Sirmione: don't miss it, good for a stop over but not to stay overnight (far from others villages and expensive).
Malcesine, San Vigilio, Torri del Benaco: very small, good for a stop over.
West side villages are fine but less sunny (sunset is very faster than east side).
Desenzano (in the south), Riva and Torbole (in the north) are fine, but maybe "uneasy" if you have few time.
Here you can find some information about Villages and boat cruises:
http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/eng/g_illago.html
Lazise is very pitouresque and more quiet than Bardolino.
Bardlino is full of life, restaurant and cafes, with a long pedestrian front lake promenade.
Sirmione: don't miss it, good for a stop over but not to stay overnight (far from others villages and expensive).
Malcesine, San Vigilio, Torri del Benaco: very small, good for a stop over.
West side villages are fine but less sunny (sunset is very faster than east side).
Desenzano (in the south), Riva and Torbole (in the north) are fine, but maybe "uneasy" if you have few time.
Here you can find some information about Villages and boat cruises:
http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/eng/g_illago.html
Jun 2nd, 2013, 07:47 AM
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PS:
You said "drive", and I supposed you'll rent a car.
About Peschiera: I don't love it very much because is too big and with traffic.
By the way: weekdays are better for your visit, during the weekend the lake is crowded of tourist and could be hard parking.
You said "drive", and I supposed you'll rent a car.
About Peschiera: I don't love it very much because is too big and with traffic.
By the way: weekdays are better for your visit, during the weekend the lake is crowded of tourist and could be hard parking.
Jun 3rd, 2013, 07:31 AM
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Why not? Some villages are close from the highway gate "Sommacampagna" (for example Lazise).
Choose between Verona and a place on the lake depends on your preferences.
From Verona you are in Padova in about an hour on the highway, Vicenza is closer. From Lazise add 15 min or so.
The distance is higher but you avoid the traffic to exit from Verona center.
Verona centre-Garda Lake are about 25-30.
Choose between Verona and a place on the lake depends on your preferences.
From Verona you are in Padova in about an hour on the highway, Vicenza is closer. From Lazise add 15 min or so.
The distance is higher but you avoid the traffic to exit from Verona center.
Verona centre-Garda Lake are about 25-30.
