Early planning for northern Italy trip
 

I'm trying to establish some preliminary parameters for a trip to northern Italy in 2008 and need some help.

By way of background, "we" are two couples (late 50s/early 60s), travel well together (two weeks in Umbria, Rome and Amalfi Coast), and love to see what there is to see and to enjoy good food and wine (and grappa) in amiable and beautiful surroundings. One couple has been to Venice twice (for a total of 6 days) but the other couple has not been (so sad).

We know we'd like to "do" the Lake District (not sure of best place to stay), possibly a couple of days in Milan, maybe Venice (if I can convince DW to go to Venice again instead of someplace "new").

(1) What would be your advice about the best time of year to go - trying to avoid the heat of summer (particularly in Venice if we go there) and the crowds. We'd plan on a total of 2 weeks, tentatively thinking of a coule of days in Milan and then split the rest of the time between Lake District and Venice (or an alternative to Venice).

(2) Is there enough to "do" in the Lake District to take up 5-6 days? We love scenery and walking and people-watching and enjoying a glass of wine on the water's edge, but are we likely to get bored with that much time there?

(3) Can you think of an alternative to Venice? We've been to Florence (although we like it we're not crazy about it), some of us (the other couple) will have been to other parts of Tuscany. Cinque Terre?

I've done searches here (and elsewhere) but feel the need for experienced perspectives on these issues. Once the planning firms up more, I'm sure, in the words of our governor of California, "I'll be back."

Thanks,

KC

Five days in the lakes should not be too much, given your interests. In addition to natural beauty, there are several lake-side villas to visit. And places like Lugano make a good day trip. Another possible day trip is the Swiss town of Soglio, taking a combination of trains and busses from the lake como town of Varenna. Gorgeous setting in the Engandine Alps. So, I don't think you'll be bored at all. Fall and spring are great times to go. To avoid heat, you want to stay away from July and August, obviously.

Unless there are particular artistic treasures that you want to see, or you're particularly interested in designer shopping, Milan may not be worth 2 days. It's a very big, frenetic, not especially charming place. That said, it's very "real" and some people like that to be part of their experience.

Alternates to Venice might be Bologna, Turin, or Trieste. Or consider the Ticino area of Switzerland (Lugano or Locarno) or even the Engandine (as I already mentioned) as a place to stay, since scenery is something you like.

To be more specific, May or late September/early October are probably the ideal times to visit this region.

I have been to Lake Como in both early May and mid-September. I preferred early May, since much of our activities included visiting villas and their extensive gardens, Villa Carlotta in particular. In early May, the multitudes of azaleas and rhododendrons were in bloom; in September, these were just lots of green bushes.

Thanks for these quick responses. Looks like May may be the season, good for both Venice and the Lake District. My main reason for including Milan was for The Last Supper, but maybe I could give up one day there and add to other parts of the trip.

KC

We loved the Cinque Terre, and would recommend it, but the only issue is that it would be similar activities to what you're doing in the lake district. Lots of hiking, relaxing, eating, etc. Fun, but not sure if you need two doses of it. The scenery in the Cinque Terra, however, is incredible.

We did a trip to Italy in late March. OK.. laugh now. But I don't regret it. In return for wearing a windbreaker most days, we encountered no lines yet found most everything to be open and operating. My wife would have liked to have donned her swimsuit while on the coast, but you wouldn't be doing it in March. However, it wasn't nearly as cool as you would have thought.

Thanks Abe, but I think we'll stick with May. Anyone have particular towns and hotels they'd suggest for the Lake District and for Venice. We stayed at the Pensione Accademia last June and loved it. I have no idea about the Lake District - some seem to favor Varenna or Menaggio over Bellagio. Or maybe there's some place even better?

Thanks,

KC

Sounds like a great trip.

My husband and I stayed in Bellagio six years ago at the Hotel Belvedere and thought it was a good choice (both the hotel and the city). We did day trips to Varenna (charming but small spot) and Menaggio (to see Villa Carlotta and then go on to Lugano). Belvedere is up out of the center of the town so wouldn't be a good choice for those who don't like somewhat hilly climbing. But we loved the view of the lake, the size of the room and the quiet.

Others may have other ideas.

Do a search on "Lake Como Hotels" or start a new thread with that title. There are many here with good recommendations. I can tell you that the three towns you mention are the most highly favored. There was recently a thread on Menaggio hotels if you want to do a search on that.

We're looking at a similar trip for early october. will be flying into venice for 3 nights (our travel companions have not been there), then to Asolo for 2 nights, Bolzano for 2 nights, Verano for 2 nights and a final night in Venice before flying home. I'll let you know how it unfolds as we get closer and get comittment from our companions that they will really go along...if not, it will be just me and dh celebrating my 30th work anniversary!

I comfortably recommend the Hotel du Lac in Varenna. We had a lovely room overlooking the lake with a huge private patio. The room had a sitting area and a good size bathroom. It was easy to ferry over to Bellagio.

The Villa Cipressi and the Villa Monestaro are within close walking distance to the Hotel du Lac in Varenna. Both villas are pretty to walk through the gardens.

I was in Asolo in September, at the Hotel Villa Cipriani, and would recommend a stay there for two nights. You can visit the Villa Barbaro and the towns of Bassano del Grappa and Marostica. It is about 90 minutes north of Venice. If you book the hotel, BE SURE to get explicit directions, as the website provides insufficient information, and signs in the area can be misleading. The hotel is IN TOWN, not outside of it!