2 extra days in Northern Italy in Aug...what to do?
 

We weren't able to get the flights we wanted so we are adding two more days on to our trip...which I'm thrilled about even though hubby is not bc he has to take more time off work. We will be spending the time at the Grand hotel Miramare in Santa Margherita and day trip to CT and Portofino. My husband has enough American express points for a stay at the Hotel Excelsior in Rapello but I'm not sure what the consensus on fodors is of Rapello. I don't know if it's worth it to go somewhere else for those 2 extra nights and stay at a less expensive hotel or to use the points in Rapello. Any suggestions?

McW - Rapallo is only 5 mins from Santa Margherita - so your options there are the same as those from SML.

How long do you have in Santa Margherita?
If your stay is short I'd go for the extra 2 days in Rapallo - it's a pleasant resort. Otherwise you might want to move elsewhere for a change of scenery ...

Steve

we will be in SML for 4 nights and 5 days. Where do you suggest we go for a change of scenery for 2 more nights? We need to end up back in Milan for our flight.

If you have to leave from Milan the most convenient 2-day stopover might be the lakes - Como, Maggiore, Orta, Lugano ...

Or ... somewhere else on the Riviera, perhaps?

Really it depends how close you want to be to the airport ...

Steve

even Genova would be a nice change in scenery I think--big city. I really liked Genova when I visited. It's noisy and chaotic and big city-like, with coastal charms and wonderful food.

If you want a place closer to Milano, what about Bergamo? It's a very cute hill town maybe about 45 minutes away from Milano. It would be a nice change from the coastal towns.