Day Trips from Milan
 

We will staying seven full days with friends in Milan this July (flying in from London). I'd love to hear from those of you who have suggestions for the best day trips from Milan. Our hosts will be driving us.
I know I want to go to the lakes--which one(s) do you suggest. Also, I have read the Dolomitti are a two-day trip from Milan and are worth seeing, right? Is Bologna too far--it sounds fabulous from what I've read but may be too far for one day. I'd love to visit towns/small cities, take scenic drives. Are there any interesting agricultural businesses, e.g. olive oil, balsamic vinegar to visit? Our hosts have asked us to let them know what we want to do so I'm looking for suggestions.
We have been to Italy twice (Rome, Venice) before but never explored this part of northern Italy.
Thanks!

Verona and Piacenza are to lovely small cities at daytrip distance from Milano. Verona is definitly one of the most beautiful cities of Italy.
There's a fast train to Bologna every hour that takes just over one hour.
Bergamo is worth a visit too.

visitstresa.com/Isola_Bella.htm

Your best bet 40 miles North

www.bellagio.info

Verona ugly except for the center a couple of hours away

tough to do as a dau trip Bergamo similar

Bologna is the farthest away impossible to do as a day trip

Metro Ugly and eurindustrial and full of Baloney!

Hello Schiermonnik, thetripteller and quovadis;
Thank you all for your wonderful ideas. I will be investigating them to begin a list of great places to visit. There's a good chance I'll b back to ask some details.

Dear tripteller,
I will check out your website and let you know what I come up with--in a few days.

Ciao,
Sarah

I'd suggest a trip south (about 45 mins) to Certosa di Pavia and the city of Pavia. The Certosa is breathtaking http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certosa_di_Pavia, and Pavia is charming. http://www.itineranet.it/pavia/index_eng.html The audio guide really opened up its history. And in July we enjoyed an afternoon beer on a barge tied up below the covered bridge. Delightful.

From there you could drive west to Vigevano which touts the one of the most beautiful piazza in Italy. I won't get into that argument but it is right up there with some of the better known. http://www.itineranet.it/vigevano/index_eng.html

Lake Maggiore is very close to Malpensa airport, an easy drive..I love Lake Como and recommend a trip there as well although it's a longer and much more difficult drive..

Two great places that are both an easy 1 hour train ride are Lake Como (train to Varenna) and Bergamo. Both highly recommended.