ARRIVING AND DEPARTING FROM MILAN - -WHAT ARE MUSTS AND SOME OFF THE BEATEN PATH THINGS TO SEE IN 3 WEEKS IN ITALY?<BR><BR>THANKS

Marsha, It would take an hour to answer this. I suggest you do a search above to get some input and buy some guidebooks--I like the Eyewitness Guide for Italy and the Michelin Green. In the meantime, here are some rough ideas to get you thinking. The time of year will be key.<BR>BOB the NAVIGATORS’ FAVORITE ITINERARIES<BR>___________________________________ ____<BR><BR>MAGICAL FAIRYLANDS:<BR> * Arrive and depart from Munich--14 nites--May thru Sep.--car travel<BR> * ITINERARY: Salzburg, Dolomites, Venice, Lake Garda, Bavaria<BR>======================================= =<BR>BELLA ITALIA:<BR> * Arrive Milan, depart Venice--15 nites--car & train travel--April thru Oct.<BR> * ITINERARY: The Lakes, Ligurian coast, Tuscany, Florence, Venice<BR>======================================== <BR>CLASSIC ITALIA:<BR> * Arrive & depart Rome--12 to 14 nites--car & train travel, all year<BR> * ITINERARY: Florence, Tuscan/ Umbrian hilltowns, Rome<BR>========================================<B R>LA DOLCE VITA:<BR> * Arrive & depart Rome--12 nites--car & train travel--March thru Oct.<BR> * ITINERARY: Amalfi coast, Tuscan/Umbrian hilltowns, Rome<BR>========================================<B R>OF ALPS & LAKES:<BR> * Arrive and depart Zurich--12 nites--train travel--June thru Sep.<BR> * ITINERARY: Berner Oberland, Lugano, Lake Como, Luzern<BR>======================================== <BR>THE VILLAGE SAMPLER: My favorite off-the-path quaint villages<BR> * Arrive Milan & depart Rome--12 to 15 nites---car travel--April thru Oct.<BR> * Lake Orta,Castelrotto,Portovenere, Lucca, Montalcino, Spello, Orvieto, Sperlonga, Ravello, Alberobello [north to south order]<BR>======================================== <BR>

we are leaving on saturday<BR><BR>thanks

Anyone else offended by this canned answer from Bob, the Navigational Salesman?<BR><BR>Not even one itinerary that begins and ends in Milan as Marsha requested?<BR><BR>so much info he could have packed into three sentences. but no, he prefers to post his canned advertisement instead.<BR><BR>Pavia. Bellagio. Monza. Bergamo. Sirmione. Verona. Trento. the list could be ten times that long right off the top of your head, Bob.<BR><BR>see how easy it is?<BR>

I'm definitely not offended by Bob's reply. I'm so glad he shares his extensive knowledge of Italy with us. His ideas were priceless in planning our trip to Italy last year and didn't cost one cent. In rereading his reply, I see absolutely no reference to or offer of any business whatsoever. He is a well-respected treasure on this board and his reply is worth 10K more than yours. <BR><BR>Now quit hiding behind your xxx and go away.

Actually, 2 of them start in Milan and in 3 weeks I assume she might be able to get futher than 150 miles of Milan. I was merely trying to be helpful--why reinvent the wheel when what she needs is some ideas to get her going. I am sure she is smart enough to interpolate.

Bob has always been very helpful and kind on this site, three cheers for Bob!

So, maybe it's more of an acceptance here on this site. Some people make side careers connected to Europe travel or hobbies, approaching full time. And their presence on this forum, answering questions, generally building up their reputation/expertise isn't necessarily a breach of Fodors policy, nor the unwritten mob rule here.<BR>

That's the beauty of Fodor's. We can pick and choose who we listen to...<BR><BR>Thanks for all of your very good information, Bob...