Linda_Chastain

Four active ladies flying into Milan for 2 weeks in mid April. Want to do Cinque Terre, Lake Maggiore, a little Switzerland, down to Croatia, back through Venice to Milan. Plan on having a car the whole time. Suggestions please as to what to emphasize and time in each area, plus driving routes.

cjbpjb

I think you should skip Croatia on this trip unless you can find a car ferry from Venice at that time of year. The drive down and back would eat up too much time. Better to concentrate on northern Italy/Ticino.

We stayed in Porlezza (Italian side of Lake Lugano) in 2008 and it made a nice base for both Lake Lugano and Lake Como--about 20 mins from Menaggio and 25 from Lugano itself (by car). Beautiful area--you can take ferry between Menaggio-Bellagio-Varenna and there are villas around Lake Como. Have not been to Cinque Terre or Lake Maggiore so cannot speak to those.

Mimar

Have you already bought your plane tickets? If not, look into flying into Milan and out of Venice -- so you don't need to spend time and money backtracking.

Are you sure you want a car? With 4 of you it's probably cheaper than a train. But you'll just have to pay to park it for Cinque Terre and Venice, and possibly Switzerland, depending on where you go there.

So do you have any idea about where you want to go in Switzerland? Is Ticino Swiss enough?

Definitely omit Croatia. That's another trip. You just don't have enough time.

bobthenavigator

I like the concept and your ambition.
I agree, drop Croatia--just too far. I would try to include Slovenia. An early challenge will be to find a car rental that will allow you to take it into Slovenia.

Definately fly open jaw--maybe from Ljubljana on the return.
I love your planned destinations. Have fun !

KayF

Not sure if you've been to Europe or driven in Europe before. It will be very different from what you are used to. The train might be easier and allow you all to relax, rather than one person concentrating on the driving and one struggling with directions. Just a thought but if you do want a car, we hired one through Hertz, picked it up in Italy (Trieste) and took it into Slovenia and Croatia but we had to tell Hertz in advance that's what we planned. You need certain paperwork to do this. Also in Slovenia you need a pass to drive on the motorways, like a vignette that you stick on your windscreen. You can buy one as soon as you cross the border into Slovenia.

I would suggest 2 full days - minimum - in Cinque Terre. You won't be able to use a car there and will probably have difficulty parking it. I love Venice so however long you have won't be long enough - suggest 4 full days minimum. You also won't be able to use the car there but can park on the outskirts near the train station.

Kay