Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Five Days Starting in Milan...???

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Five Days Starting in Milan...???

We've got five days after arrival in Milan before we board the Celebrity Century in Genoa. We've never been to Italy, don't speak Italian, never been on a cruise so it's going to be an adventure. We expect to crash (figuratively) for a day or two in Milan to get over jetlag. We don't want to drive. Where to go? Where to stay? What to see? I think I'd like to base in one place since it's such a short time and explore from there. Thanks Fodorfriends for your advice. (We'll be in Venice for four days after the cruise).

I'd spend a day or two in Florence, if you can go overnight, I would, there is much to see. You can take the train, it's very convenient. Another idea is to go to the Lakes in Italy, they are only a little over an hour away and spectacular. They are best seen driving, but there are trains also. If you want further advice, e-mail me and let me know.

Don't waste your time in Milan. Other than the Last Supper, the city holds nothing. The famed shopping capitol is dirty, covered in graffiti, and rife with pickpockets. Head to Florence, or Lake Como. Both are on train routes (the ferries at Lake Como are timed to meet the trains) and far better examples of Italian culture and beauty.

If you do want to spend a little time in Milan, there are a number of excellent museums (Brera, Ambrosiana, Castello Sforzesco, and my favorite in Milan, the lovely, small Poldi-Pezzoli); the Duomo; an interesting medieval basilica, Sant'Ambrogio; and a handful of other reasonably interesting, centrally located churches, e.g., San Satiro with a trompe l'oeil apse. Also, there's the La Scala Museum and the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science, if you're into either of those things. So, while Milan definitely isn't the picture-book Italian experience, there are some suggestions.

David I stayed at the Marriott on Via Washington and we took the train to the Duomo. It is really a site to see, you shouldn't miss it. I think the Last Supper is open again. It was closed when we went in April of this year. We also had dinner at a family run resturant called Al Rifugio Pugliese on Via Boni tel 02-48000917. The owner doesnot speak English but his sons will help you out. Oh the resturant is also known as Muciaccia by the locals. The resturant is located closet to the Wagner stop on the metro. Just ask for directions when you get off. It is about 3 blocks from the metro but not a far walk if you are hungry. You can email me if you have any questions. I would be willing to answer any questions if you need me to.

We also went to Lake Como, which was less tahn an hour train ride from Central Station. You should really go because when I picture Italy, Lake Como is what I think of most often. It is truly something from a time gone by. The locals are really friendly as well.

Hi David: A day or so in Milan should be sufficient. Then my vote would be to take the train North to Varenna (about an hour), then take the ferry across to Bellagio, (about 15 minutes). Two days in Bellagio is a great way to start your vacation. This is the Lakes Area that many people refer to. We were there last Fall and thoroughly enjoyed it. Email me if you'd like additional Information. Enjoy your holiday!!.....Paul J

Thanks for all the good advice. I think we'll head up to Como/Bellagio. Does anyone know of a hotel in Milan that is quiet and comfortable. I want to check in and sleep before starting out.

Como/Bellagio isn't far enough away from Milan that you'll need to rest up (unless you have some sort of medical need that is none of my business). You'll probably nod out on the train, but it's worth it to push on.

I agree. On my very first trip, I rested up in Milan - but I found out that, subsequently, that was not necessary. Push on to Como and I think you'll find it worth it... Have a wonderful trip...

A tip for the bleary newly-arrived. You probably won't nedd this tip, but I could have used it: the train from Milan to Como is sort of a piddly commuter deal. You want the last stop (Lago di Como). A lot of the towns before the last stop are also Como stops--we got off at the wrong one and had to wait an hour for the next train. Spent the time exchanging frank opinons with my travelling companion.

David, I may have a somewhat different point of view ... If I'm not wrong, the European Celebrity cruises either include Spain/France or Malta/Greece/Turkey besides the western Italian coast. Both cruises are quite "relaxed" in the sense that there are a couple of days at sea and quite a few stops where you indeed have the opportunity to visit the main site(s) close bye. Though I agree that the Lake Como surroundings are beautiful, nice people, excellent food, etc., IMO it's a waste of opportunity if one is interested in art and has seen nothing in Italy yet. Unless you're not interested in art, architecture and eventually music, considering you've already included Venice in your itinerary, I would strongly suggest you include Florence as well ... with several day-trip possibilities if you don't want to spend the whole available time there. Both cruises stop at Civitavecchia and Livorno for 12 hours or so ... A day trip to Rome and Florence, respectively, IMO is a joke! There's little you may do about Rome, but you may assure yourself a decent visit to Florence. If you by any chance are taking the Malta/Greece/Kusadasi cruise, I would strongly consider cutting it short in Livorno and head to Florence for a 5 day stay (you'll forfeit an expensive night in the cruise you've already paid for, but you'll gain in time and confort, not having to train all the way back to Florence the next day). In this case, of course, you'd have to visit Venice before getting on the ship and your question would be answered. If you're taking the France/Spain cruise, there's no other way than doing Florence first and leaving Venice last as you planned. When your cruiser stops in Livorno, you may visit either Pisa/Lucca or the Cinque Terre, as you wish. Unless your flight comes in late in the afternoon, I agree with the posters that advised you to skip a night or two in Milan. You may "sleep" it out in the train and Florence/Venice. It would be a nuisance to go to Milan, get an hotel, unpack, pack, back to the train station and off ... (specially considering that most people in cruises pack heavier than "normal"). Just to have an idea, from Gallarate (closest train station to the Malpensa airport) to Venice it's a 4 hours ride (take or give 1/2 hour depending on the train); To Florence the ride is 15 minutes longer, in the average. Paulo

Now I've read about the Italian Riveria and want to go there! It sounds like a chance to see charming Italian towns, relax and poke around at the same time. I'm thinking of staying in Santa Margarita Ligure (sic), Rappolo (?), or La Spezia(?) and maybe taking trains to visit closeby towns. Recommendations for hotels, towns, itineraries? Are hotel reservations recommended? Paulo, I know I'm probably missing essential Florence for art, architecture and history which I do enjoy, but I'm concerned about limited time (we're down to three free days now) and the "stress factor". We do have the four days in Venice at the end of the trip.

My experience in the Riviera di Levante is very limited and way outdated ... I spent 10 days in Viareggio a century ago, and drove around quite a bit. No nothing about hotels (stayed with cousins in an appartment). I suspect that the Riviera I visited has changed a lot ... specially regarding resort hotels which may affect the character of the old villages as I remember them. For what's worth, here it goes: Portofino: my preferred romantic fishing village; nice little church and Castle, nice strolls to San Frutuoso and over the hill to Punta del Capo. Very good food. Camogli: very picturesque with its high houses on the sea front. Nice walk to San Rocco and Punta Chiappa. Santa Margherita Ligure: a bit to touristy for my taste Rapallo: just dashed bye ... don't remember anything of special note Sestri Levante: ??? don't remember a thing La Spezia (city): forget it Portovenere: very nice fortified village with fine churches, castle and tall houses Cinque Terre: at the time, I certainly had the feeling I would be back ... nice stroll, nice villages, good food and wine ... but after Rick Steves I guess I'll pass it! Viareggio: nice beaches and night life I've no info on public transportation in the area regarding buses. There's a quite good boat transportation system in the Portofino Peninsula. Rapallo, Sestri Levante and the five villages of Cinque Terre are served by train. Paulo

Hi, David. If you enjoy shopping, then Milan is a good place to visit. My parents and I were in Milan last July and we stayed at the Jolly Hotel Touring. Address is Via Tarchetti 2, Milano 20121 Tel no. (02) 6335, Fax no. (02) 6592209 The hotel is in a good location and you can take the metro (Repubblica station) to go to the Duomo. The room we stayed in was spacious and clean; breakfast was included in the rate. As suggested by the others, you can do a day trip to Florence.