JoshMiller

Hi everyone,
My wife and I are going to Italy for our 5 year wedding anniversary for 11 days in late May. We have both been to the big three, of Rome, Venice and Florence, on post-college/study abroad trips, although not in 10+ years.

The trip is focused around food, and we have a preference for less-touristy smaller towns/cities. We're expecting to use the trains to get around, but would like to have 2-3 places as home base, with a couple of day trips (and can rent a car as needed).

We're feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the many choices. We're flying into and out of Milan, and are planning to stay in Northern (and possibly Central) Italy. We're thinking of the following:

Bologna / Emilia Romagna
Piemonte
Verona
The Lakes
Cinque Terre (1 day, possibly walking the trail)

This seems like too many places for 11 days. What would people cut? Anything missing? (again, focus on the food On Google Maps, this looks reasonably close together. Will there be a train route that doesn't require too much backtracking?

Thanks for your help!

socaltraveler

If you are focusing on food, with 11 days, spend them in E/R and Piemonte. Save the Lakes and C/T for another visit.

Midnightsun

I would agree with socaltraveler, although if you base yourselves in E/R and Piemonte, you might be able to fit in a day trip to Lake Maggiore, traveling to Stresa and visiting the Borromean Islands. That doesn't due full justice to the lake region, but it can give you a taste. If you are focused on food, you can't go wrong in Emiglia-Romana. Staying in or near Modena and Parma might give you a more relaxed stay than Bologna, although it is definitely worth spending some time there. Opera 02 is a great agriturismo outside Modena, if you want to be out in the country and still have wonderful food. Ferrara and Ravenna are each an hour from Bologna by train, and they are marvelous places: respectively a walled city and home to some of the most amazing mosaics in the world. The wine region north of Alba is easily reached from Torino, although you might need a car. Sacra di San Michele outside of Turin was an inspiration for "Name of the Rose" (although it wasn't filmed there), and it is wonderfully atmospheric. We did a day trip up to Monte Bianco when we were last in Turino, and the tram ride up the mountain was beautiful. We would have gone over into France, but that leg of the transport wasn't working the day we were there, so we had to settle for the observation deck that is directly on the French-Italian border just under the peak of Monte Bianco. If you're into wildly inventive Italian cuisine (although very expensive) you could try Osteria Francescana in Modena (a foie gras popsicle with a balsamic vinegar filling...sure sounded strange, sure tasted great) or Combal Zero outside of Turin. Both are among the top restaurants in the world. The cinema museum in Torino is also a don't miss destination, and just for fun with food, you can go to Eataly, a food mall which started in Torino which is great fun for strolling and sampling despite the terrible name (I believe they have opened in New York and Rome now, but Torino was the original location). Lots to do in Northern Italy.

bobthenavigator

I agree on the 2 food regions, but I would have to include Lago Como that time of year. Have fun !

JoshMiller

Thanks all for the replies.

It looks like both E/R and Piemonte consist of multiple towns and cities. Suggestions for home bases in each? My instinct is to use Bologna as the base in E/R. Possibly Turin in Piemonte?

Is Milan worth visiting at all, or should we head straight for the train station from the airport?

Jean

I'd stay in/near Alba in the Piemonte and have a car.

Milan is definitely worth visiting but not on this trip. However, depending on the time of your departing flight, you may have to spend the previous night in Milan. If you got to the city by mid- to late-afternoon, you could see the Duomo, perhaps the Last Supper (rez required) and do some strolling around.

Midnightsun

Josh:

Using Bologna as a base in E/R makes sense because it is central. However, if you are using a car, you will find it time-consuming to get in and out of Bologna unless you are staying out of the central district. It's much faster to get in and out of Modena and Parma. I'd agree with Jean about Alba.

Sampaguita

11 days can fly when you are in Northern Italy, each area demands 4 to 5 days and don't be taken in by what appears to be short distances on google maps, especially if you want to get around and explore the countryside.

I would suggest a variation, only to spend your time in NW Italy, Piedmont, and maybe Aosta and leave ER and NE Italy for another trip. From Malpensa airport its a short hop to one of the lakes, either Como or Maggiore, which you could use as a day base for a day-trip to Milan, and then over to Piedmont for about 4-5 days, followed by a few nights in Cinque Terre and then back to Milan, or do it in reverse. And the option to add a day or two in Aosta.

Piedmont IMHO beats ER hand down for food and wine, and I would stay in Piedmont's wine country, personally I think Asti is a more central base then Alba to cover all of the central wine areas as well as day trips to Turin. I would suggest stay in the country, lots of hotels, B&B and agriturismi, easy to get into the cities after rush hour and a car is a must for exploring the hilltop towns and villages.