Due to frequent flier miles I am flying into Bologna instead of Florence. I had planned to rent a car in Chiusi where I have rented a villa for the week. I do not know if a train goes from Bologna airport to Chiusi (I do know there is a train station in Chiusi) nor how long it would take from Bologna to Chiusi by train or by car. I have been helped so many times by this site and am awaiting help. Thanks in advance. Also have not yet planned what I am doing from the 20th until leaving on the 27th of Sept. from the Milan airport any suggestions of what is in that region that would really give a feel of the countryside. Will have spent some time in Florence and Tuscany area already. Excited to get some great ideas!

There's a bus fromt the Bologna airport that goes to the Bologna train station. Since the airport is only 6 km from Bologna, a taxi is also a good option.

Here's a link to transport info:

http://www.bologna-airport.it/templa...=197&LN=UK

The train station in Bologna serves the center city, not the airport. There's a nice shuttle that will take you to the train station for 5 euro, with the trip taking about 20 minutes. The train between Bologna and Chiusi takes a little over 2 hours, unless you change trains in Florence and then it takes a little over three hours.

Were you departing from Bologna I'd suggest simply renting your car there and driving directly to Chiusi, but since you're departing from Milan that might incur a drop off penalty. The drive looks easy, though, so you might consider that and then take the train on the return leg from Bologna to Milan. Since you've got a spare week in there you might consider stopping over in Bologna in any case: cool town, great rail links to places like Ferrara and Ravenna, great food, few tourists.

Not getting replies so asking again for help. Thanks.

Exactly what sort of help are you looking for, barwal? I've given you a pretty detailed breakdown of your options regarding transportation between Bologna and Chiusi, and ellenem gave you the link for the shuttle between the Bologna airport and the train station.

And I've also given you a rough suggested itinerary for a stopover Bologna on your way back to Milan.

Maybe if you could be more specific as to just exactly what you need to know at this point we could be more specific in our suggestions.

I am also looking for things that we could do in or near Milan (will not have a car) that would give me a feel for the area. Love non touristy since I think it gives a better feel for the country. Since I have never been would welcome any suggestions. I apologize for making it seem your info wasn't appreciated since you both gave extremely helpful information re: travel arrangements.

The countryside directly around Milan is relatively flat--agricultural and indutrial. Most people seeking a "country" or more small-town feeling when near Mialn head for the lakes (Como, Maggiore, . . .) or visit Bergamo or Pavia, all of which are accessible by train or bus from Milan.

Okay, so you're planning on spending the 20th to the 27th in Milan and the surrounding area? If so you could split your time between Milan proper and one of the lakes north of town. Lake Maggiore would be convenient, as there's a train line that runs north along its western shore, stopping in various towns. Probably the best for you would be Stresa, as there's enough to do there without a car (as you can take the ferry up and down the lake to various destinations). And that area would be a nice change from your previously visited ones. There's a shuttle that goes to Malpensa from Stresa that you need to book in advance (your hotel can do it for you), and since Malpensa is halfway between Milan and Stresa it's actually more convenient than if you'd already been in Milan. In Milan proper you can visit the Castello and various museums, or just hang out and go shopping. Note that Milan's more about work than leisure, frankly, but the Navigli area is nice for a more pedestrian-centered experience. Not touristy, and the evening weather should be lovely at that time of year.

Very good public transportation in Milan, and if you were in the city towards the end of that week you could take the train from Cadorna Nord directly to Malpensa (this train is not part of the national train system, and does not go to Centrale).

Have you decided what you're going to do about your car rental?

On the other hand you could spend at least part of that week in Bologna, as it's quite interesting all on its own (and known for its food. Modena and Piacenza are also en route to Milan.

This is great! Never even considered the Lake areas as I thought they would be too far and difficult w/o a car. How wrong I was! I am so happy that we can get transportation to the airport. This holiday is evolving into even more than I hoped for thanks to everyone's help. Our flight leaves at noon on the 27th so I am not sure if we should stay closer to the airport the night before or just use the transport from the Lake since it has such great transport to the airport. Therese,the Navigli area sounds perfect for a day trip to Milan.

No, barwal, there's no need to transfer to a hotel closer to Malpensa for your last evening. The trip via car (either shuttle or taxi) from Stresa takes less than an hour, so no problem with having to get up before dawn to get there.

In fact, a hotel near the airport would mean you'd have to deal with surface traffic rather than highway (which takes you right up to the airport) with consequent greater potential for traffic woes.

If you're planning on spending time in Milan anyway you could spend your last two days, say, in Milan. Book a hotel in the Cadorna Nord area so that you can hop on the express train to Malpensa (though you could really stay anywhere and just take the metro to Cadorna Nord). Navigli is really more of a late afternoon/night time destination, so if you do a day trip from someplace else and are relying on the train to get home you won't be able to stay late enough to enjoy it. You can spend the days visiting the Duomo and the Castello and other cool stuff.

I seem to be having difficuly locating the web site for the shuttle that you mentioned that can take me from Stresa to Malpensa. Since I need to purchase the tickets ahead of time and will be starting this wonderful journey in 2 weeks. Also a general train question. Can I purchase local train tickets ahead of time and then just stamp them the day that I use them?

Barwal, here's your Malpensa/Stresa shuttle info:

www.safduemila.com

Thank you, Jean.

Yes, barwal, you can purchase train tickets in advance and stamp them as you use them. Note that some of the trains (the Cisalpino and possibly some others) require that you pay a supplement if you're using one of the standard tickets. I never had to do this, so I don't know exactly how it works.

I just bought my tickets from the automated distributors as I went.