12 days in Italy from Venice to Lake region to MIlan
 

Would so appreciate all recommendations regarding our September trip to the lake region via Venice! Thus far our plan is to fly into Venice, stay there 2 nights (if we can get a room!) After this we are undecided re: going to Bologna for 3 nights or to the Veneto/Verona area for 3 nights. Followed by 3 nights in the Lake Garda region and then to Lake Como for 3 nights leaving out of Malpensa airport.

Our interests are history, architecture, cooking classes, great wine and food! I'll throw in some great shopping (discount?) along the way. All suggestions re: which route and cities to stay in are greatly appreciated and welcomed!

Also...all lodging recommendations appreciated preferably in the 100-150 euro price range.

You are not giving Venice enough time--I would do 4 nites since day one is a loss. Do you plan a car for Veneto/Garda?

You could actually split your trip between Venice and Lake Como and make some of the other places you mentioned as day trips. Will you have a car?

Bologna is a couple of hours by train from Venice-if you left early enough, you could have a lovely day there with an amazing meal before returning to dreamy Venice.

Verona, Padua, Peschiera del Garda are easy train rides from Venice.

In the Lake Como area, I have only stayed in Bellagio and found it was easy to take the ferry around the area. You could also stay in the city of Como itself. It has a tradition in silk-making that might satisfy your shopping needs, you could boat or ferry around the lake, and it would be most convenient for train travel from Venice and to Milan.

Other Fodorites will let you know if this makes sense.

Both are good recommendations. Neither suggested staying in Bologna! Since noone mentioned Lake Garda, is there a reason? It doesn't seem to get much attention in different guidebooks. Yes, we will have a car and be free to go anywhere! Please continue to advise with any recommendations.

Only reason we aren't staying longer in Venice is that we've been there previously...

Lake Garda and Verona can be done from one location - we stayed at a very nice, very reasonable agriturismo in February which was about 7 kilometres from Garda and about 20 kilometres to Verona.

http://www.booking.com/hotel/it/agri...2edd7936bec821

Agree with Bob, though, that 2 nights in Venice isn't enough.

With a car, I would stay on the north end of Garda and the west shore of Como. Look at Riva for hotel options, and on Como look at Hotel Du Lac in Menaggio in that price range.

Thank you all for sending this information! I am following up on it today! Also, we probably will stay longer in Venice. Good suggestion. Another question: favorite towns around the lakes?