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-   -   April 2019, looking for suggestions (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/april-2019-looking-for-suggestions-1659794/)

sudovim Dec 18th, 2018 12:46 AM


Originally Posted by kja (Post 16841544)
You don't need to take the named "Bernina Express"-- you can take the regional trains, which use the same tracks. Either way, you would need to get to Tirano. You can use rome2rio.com to check your transportation options.

If I were to do that, I would not go to St. Moritz, which I found to be a tired and over-hyped once-glitzy and now tawdry resort town. There are, IMO, many more interesting locations in that part of Switzerland.

ANy better locations around the borders of swiss, where i can get from milan? with a scenic train journey like bernina express

isabel Dec 18th, 2018 04:24 AM

A better day trip from Milan to Switzerland might be Lugano. Not as far up into the mountains but still has some great views and is a very easy approximately one hour train from Milano. https://andiamo.zenfolio.com/p937201521



Where else in Italy are you planning on?

sudovim Dec 18th, 2018 05:48 AM


Originally Posted by isabel (Post 16841596)
A better day trip from Milan to Switzerland might be Lugano. Not as far up into the mountains but still has some great views and is a very easy approximately one hour train from Milano. https://andiamo.zenfolio.com/p937201521



Where else in Italy are you planning on?

Thanks for the suggestions, the pictures look great.
So in a total of 20 days i would be visiting Rome, Amalfi, florence, millan. And do day trips to venice and lake como. If there is any suggestions that i should do! Please help me out

bilboburgler Dec 18th, 2018 06:08 AM

Vegan.... and the other interests are?

sudovim Dec 18th, 2018 06:09 AM


Originally Posted by bilboburgler (Post 16841628)
Vegan.... and the other interests are?

I am okay with lamb and chicken dishes, not with my mother, she is a vegan. Exploring new places is my point of travel. Historic places, architecture, food, shopping,

bilboburgler Dec 18th, 2018 07:39 AM

Of the spaces you mention only Italy is full of people who spend so much time talking food. Much of the peasant food in Italy is vegetarian (the food of the poor) so you just need to say Vegan and they will either adjust or already have dishes that hit the spot. Italian food varies by region and they normally eat a large lunch (and take a sleep) then have more of a wander and snack evening view of life. This doesn't always fit in with a busy tourist life style but there are always pizzarie.

Italy has so man fine buildiings especially the areas of Tuscany, Emiglia-Romana and the Venezia that were developed as part of the Renaisance I would spend my time there and of course the train system that links all the little cities is excellent with very cheap "regionale" trains (tend to trundle through the countryside) or fast efficient ones, read seat61.com to get a picture.

I'd base in say Florence, Bologna and Verona and take trains to the little old cities spotted all over the plains and hills of the area. Venice, of course is special but then so is Padua, Ferrara, Ravenna, Modena, Siena, Lucca, Pisa etc

PalenQ Dec 18th, 2018 11:42 AM

Trains for sure - driving a hassle in cities, especially Italy where private vehicles banned from many city centers - for lots on trains and planning a train trip check www.ricksteves.com and BETS-European Rail Experts (especially their superb online free European Planning & Rail Guide) - www.seat61.com has awesome tips on booking your own trains online and getting discounted tickets much cheaper than just showing up.

suze Dec 18th, 2018 11:53 AM

Where are you doing the "day trip" to Venice from? Milan? Or??

With 20 days on the ground I think you are WAY shortchanging Venice with being there barely a 1/2 day!!

Sassafrass Dec 18th, 2018 01:20 PM

Venice is NOT a good day trip from any of your other stops.

Sassafrass Dec 18th, 2018 01:25 PM

There are some great day trips from Florence.
I hope you got multi-city tickets so you do not have to spend money and time backtracking.
The Amalfi Coast could easily take three or four days time sight seeing, plus nearly a day getting there and another departing. Also, consider including a day in Naples.

kja Dec 18th, 2018 07:01 PM

If your goal in going to St. Moritz is to take a scenic day trip by train, it’s hard to beat the scenery from the trains that go from Tirano to St. Moritz, but I wouldn’t stop in St. Moritz. If you have time, you could go “only” as far as Diavolezza, where you can take a cable car to a station with glorious views and various amenites – but please check the times carefully, as I’m not sure you have time and whether the cable car is open probably depends on the season.

But I agree with others that your overall plan – 20 days to include Rome, Amalfi, Florence, and Milan, with day trips to Venice, Lake Como, and apparently somewhere in Switzerland – sounds overly ambitious to me.

If you are open to feedback and suggestions for altering that plan, then I would encourage you to start a new thread in which you outline your full plan. I think it is wonderful that you want to show your mother "the best of Europe," but admit that to me, that doesn't include the inside of trains or trains stations -- and right now, you are planning to spend a LOT of time in transport.

Good luck!

sudovim Dec 18th, 2018 07:31 PM


Originally Posted by kja (Post 16842020)
If your goal in going to St. Moritz is to take a scenic day trip by train, it’s hard to beat the scenery from the trains that go from Tirano to St. Moritz, but I wouldn’t stop in St. Moritz. If you have time, you could go “only” as far as Diavolezza, where you can take a cable car to a station with glorious views and various amenites – but please check the times carefully, as I’m not sure you have time and whether the cable car is open probably depends on the season.

But I agree with others that your overall plan – 20 days to include Rome, Amalfi, Florence, and Milan, with day trips to Venice, Lake Como, and apparently somewhere in Switzerland – sounds overly ambitious to me.

If you are open to feedback and suggestions for altering that plan, then I would encourage you to start a new thread in which you outline your full plan. I think it is wonderful that you want to show your mother "the best of Europe," but admit that to me, that doesn't include the inside of trains or trains stations -- and right now, you are planning to spend a LOT of time in transport.

Good luck!

Thanks for the feedback, as of now my booking for rome, amalfi and florence are done. Which would cover up 11 days of my trip including flying in to the country. I agree that my plan seems to be much part of a train and stations. trying to not do that much. Any suggestions on rest of my trip which i have not made any reservations for.

sudovim Dec 18th, 2018 07:31 PM


Originally Posted by suze (Post 16841806)
Where are you doing the "day trip" to Venice from? Milan? Or??

With 20 days on the ground I think you are WAY shortchanging Venice with being there barely a 1/2 day!!

Not booked anything as of now. I thought i do the day trip to venice from milan.

sudovim Dec 18th, 2018 07:32 PM


Originally Posted by bilboburgler (Post 16841678)
Of the spaces you mention only Italy is full of people who spend so much time talking food. Much of the peasant food in Italy is vegetarian (the food of the poor) so you just need to say Vegan and they will either adjust or already have dishes that hit the spot. Italian food varies by region and they normally eat a large lunch (and take a sleep) then have more of a wander and snack evening view of life. This doesn't always fit in with a busy tourist life style but there are always pizzarie.

Italy has so man fine buildiings especially the areas of Tuscany, Emiglia-Romana and the Venezia that were developed as part of the Renaisance I would spend my time there and of course the train system that links all the little cities is excellent with very cheap "regionale" trains (tend to trundle through the countryside) or fast efficient ones, read seat61.com to get a picture.

I'd base in say Florence, Bologna and Verona and take trains to the little old cities spotted all over the plains and hills of the area. Venice, of course is special but then so is Padua, Ferrara, Ravenna, Modena, Siena, Lucca, Pisa etc

Thanks for the suggestions. Will consider the places suggested.

sudovim Dec 18th, 2018 07:33 PM


Originally Posted by sudovim (Post 16842033)
Thanks for the feedback, as of now my booking for rome, amalfi and florence are done. Which would cover up 11 days of my trip including flying in to the country. I agree that my plan seems to be much part of a train and stations. trying to not do that much. Any suggestions on rest of my trip which i have not made any reservations for.

Also my main point of reaching St.Moritz was actually to take the bernina express to witness the journey throught the alps

kja Dec 18th, 2018 08:31 PM


Originally Posted by sudovim (Post 16842033)
Thanks for the feedback, as of now my booking for rome, amalfi and florence are done. Which would cover up 11 days of my trip including flying in to the country. I agree that my plan seems to be much part of a train and stations. trying to not do that much. Any suggestions on rest of my trip which i have not made any reservations for.

For your mother's sake, read up on "sunk costs" and consider changing your plans. Just my opinion.

burta Dec 18th, 2018 10:02 PM

There are so many different cultures and sights to see in Europe. I think for a first time trip for your mother, Vienna and Prague are too far east. I would spend time showing her the major capitols: London, Paris, and Rome. Allowing for travel time between countries, your itinerary would be comfortable without rushing.

Sassafrass Dec 19th, 2018 06:03 AM

To reiterate: a day trip from Milan to Venice is a bad plan!!!
Actually, Venice is not a good city for a day trip anyway, from anyplace.

In your desire to get the plans all set, IMHO, you rushed to get tickets and make bookings before you had developed a really good complete itinerary. Give yourself another week or so to figure things out.
What is your arrival city?
What is your departure city?
Are you going to Amalfi at the beginning? From Rome? Naples? Florence?
Everything may be planned just fine and just not be clear from your posts. If that is so, I apologize in advance.

MmePerdu Dec 19th, 2018 07:34 AM

I strongly suggest staying in Venice for 3 nights to get 2 full days in possibly the most unique city on the planet. In April you won't be battling the summer crowds and for a first visit to Italy I cannot imagine relegating this most wonderful city to a day trip. I find Florence as a city, barring a particular interest in Renaissance art, relatively dull in comparison and would skip it for the experience of Venice.

StCirq Dec 19th, 2018 10:07 AM

As noted, Venice is NOT a daytrip from Milan. Either plan to spend 3 nights there or drop it.

In less than an hour on a regional train you can get to Stresa on Lago Maggiore and be lakeside in a delightful town with great views of the mountains. Instead of a Swiss train ride through the mountains you can take a breath-taking funicular up into the mountains. You also have three beautiful islands to explore by boat on the lake. Easy traveling, inexpensive, and a great combination of lake and mountains.


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