kellymp

I am planning a trip for my parents and brother and I leaving right after Thanksgiving for about 10-12 days. Last year we went at that same time and did Rome/Florence/Venice...great weather whole trip...excellent time and wonderful Xmas markets Here are some of my questions:

1. Anyone stayed on Lake Como at that time or live there year round? I realize it is off season but I think it may still be worth seeing. Where would it be best to stay? I don't think I want Bellagio b/c it requires a boat ride for all our day trips by train so I was looking more at Como for convenience and closeness to Milan and the airport. Considered Varenna but seems like more would be open in Como itself. Thoughts?

2. We could stay in Milan instead of in Como but I thought Como might be more scenic and relaxing and then day trip to Milan for the Duomo, last supper, etc. Any thoughts on that or hotel/B&B suggestions?

3. Anyone stay on the Italian Riviera in late Nov? What was it like and where did you stay? Did you fly into Genoa? I am considering that too but not sure how small that airport is and how much more expensive.

4. Anyone ever take the train from milan to Salzburg? I have been to Innsbrook and it was beautiful so I am assuming it would be a pretty ride although perhaps painfully long...is it going to be all snow covered at that time of the year?

I posted some of these questions before but only got a few responses so I thought I would give it another shot. I am open to other suggestions as well but the dates are final, just choosing the places and we don't want to repeat last years destinations...thanks for any help you can give.

bobthenavigator

I love both of those destinations but would not go there after early November. Much will be closed and it will be cold and wet. Look at the Amalfi coast or Sicily.

kellymp

I know that doesn't seem like an ideal time but we are going to Austria at the end of the trip so I am planning an itinerary around that. My parents take a trip in Oct or early Nov to the Outer Banks of North Carolina each year to enjoy the offseason so that is why I am contemplating still including some of these areas. Plus I have read a few trip reports where people have had very mild weather and have enjoyed their time...does Como itself have more locals? Some of the posts seem to suggest it is a bit more of a town and not just strictly a resort area.

fall06

There is little point in going all the way to Lago di Como and not going to Bellagio to see the view, and there is no point in going when it is rainy or foggy and you can't even see the view.

If you want a relaxing location with easy access to Milano, then think about staying Stresa in Lago Maggiore, which is just an hour north of Milano by train. That said, Milano is not such a frantic place that you couldn't enjoy staying in Milan itself. Try Hotel Paltazzo delle Stelline or Hotel Antica Locanda Leonardo (near the Last Supper) or Hotel Gran Duca di York (near the Duomo).

Last year I was in the Italian Riviera in late November and the weather was gorgeous. That's no gaurantee it won't pour this year. There are no direct flights to Genova from the USA and connecting through the UK is expensive. Fly to Milan and take the train. When I go to the Riviera, I stay in Camogli.

It sounds like what you want is beautiful scenery. Consider Tuscany, but only if you are willing to rent a car. Fly to Pisa, rent a car, and then head south. Drop of your car in someplace like Orvieto after 7 days, and spend your final days in Rome.

If you love Christmas markets, also consider a trip that would put in the Sorrento/Naples area, with trips to Pompeii and the Amalfi coast or Capri on sunny days.

fall06

Ooops. Just noticed you are going to Austria at the end of the trip. Scratch heading too far south.

gplusg

There is a train leaving Milan@ 7:05 am arriving Salzburg 15:29 hours---with one change in Innsbruck.
The other departures appear to have 2 connections.
This is a beautiful trip.

You can check trains at www.bahn.de
Click on international visitors at top of page.

GTG

kellymp

gplusg - thank you for the train info...I was having trouble figuring that out!

So I have slightly revised my plan - am thinking about flying into Genoa instead of Milan and starting on the Riviera (couple days there to recoup, see Cinque Terre, maybe day trip to Lucca) and then staying in Milan with a day trip out to the lakes then onto Salzburg from Milan on the train gplusg pointed out going through Innsbrook. We'll spend one day in Milan to see the Duomo, Last Supper, shopping, etc then a day on the lakes, maybe one more day there...but that would be it...rest of the time will be Austria.

Anyone know of any nice B & B type places in Milan near the Duomo (I am assuming that is where I want to be).