Hi - my husband is an invited speaker at a 2-day conference in Milan next September. We have taken two weeks off - one week before the meeting and one week after - and are planning to tour northern Italy, a region we are not familiar with. I am thinking, roughly, of flying into Venice, where we would like to spend 2-3 days, then either driving across to Milan via Padua and Verona or taking the train. Then we would go from there. Thoughts on going to Como and Bergamo area, then by train to Rome before flying home? We would like a day or two in Rome at the end, and can travel either by car or by train. Don't want to overbook, but want to hit our old faves Venice and Rome on either end, then do new places in northern Italy in between, making sure to attend the meeting in Milan in the middle (i.e. reason we are there....) Any help appreciated! Thanks -

This all sounds very fine to me, but a big chunk is missing - Florence! Read Tim Parks' book Medici Money to get an insight into the significance of what you still see in Florence to this day, there is beauty and history that's not to be missed.

Then there are names you could look up, of places you could visit on the way down to Rome: Pisa (usually a half-day excursion while based in Florence, easy by train, no train reservation needed), Siena, Perugia, Assisi, Orvieto...

I think splitting the trip as follows makes sense:

Fly into Venice (good idea!), go see Ravenna (the byzantine mosaics - much quicker by car than by train, worth renting a car just for the day I think), Padua (Giotto frescoes, barely a half hour from Venice by train), Verona, a lakeside place like Bellagio, then to Milan and your husband's business.

Then train to Florence and pick from among then ones I mentioned, or others, on your way to Rome.

www.ferroviedellostato.it for trains - you may not need a car.

I'd suggest taking your two weeks off either before or after the meeting. In that way you wouldn't have to interrupt your itinerary to return to Milan, making planning that much easier...

I agree with Tuck--I would put Milan at the end and make Lago Como your prior destination. We will be spending 3 weeks in northern Italy at the same time as you. We plan on Venice, the Dolomites, the Engadine valley, and Lago Como. However, this is our 15th trip to Italy. I would stay north this trip.

Thanks for the input so far - we have already been several times to Tuscany, Florence, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast, but never to the north except for two days in Milan a few years ago. I agree about Florence, but don't need to have it on this itinerary. Unfortunately, we cannot take a two-week block either before or after due to work limitations, have to go with the unfortunate Milan stop right in the middle. I would like to stay north but not miss Venice, and we are now thinking of flying home from Pisa, possibly doing the Cinque Terre as the last couple of days - weather ok for that in late Sept? Where to stay in Como or Bergamo?

You've now mentioned 8 places you'd like to visit in 14 days.

I for one would like to see you clarify your initial thoughts for this trip. Is it a few days in (each) Venice, Verona and Padua? Then Milan for 3 nights (for a 2-day conference)?

How many days/nights are left? Is Rome definitely dropped in favor of somewhere farther north like the Cinque Terre? Is it Bergamo OR Lake Como, or do you want to visit both?

Before you answer, consider that every time you change hotels, you lose a half day (sometimes more). I don't like lots of 2-night stays for that reason.

No, we're certainly not crazy enough to try to visit 8 spots in 14 days, esp since we HAVE to be in Milan for three days. My current thoughts are: fly to Venice, then overland to Milan by way of Verona and/or Padua, then after Milan to Como and/or Bergamo. Then, if time permits, a couple of days in Cinque Terre and fly out of Pisa. What I need is some feedback about which spots are worth overnighting in (i.e Padua vs. Verona vs. Como vs. Bergamo), and pros and cons of trying see a few places that are close enough to our route to consider. For example - "two nights in Como and visit Bergamo on a day trip, or the other way 'round, or don't bother, just do Como?" Or - "don't try to do Cinque Terre in less than three or four days" (we haven't the time for that, as you wisely point out) - we are quite familiar with the ins and outs of hotel/overnight travel hassles and the distances involved. We just are not familiar with this region of Italy and I would like to know what the forum folks think are "not-to-miss" sights, knowing roughly our route, in the time we have available to us. We like comfortable/charming hotels, art, wine, food, walking the cities and towns, and driving the countryside. Hope this helps, and I do appreciate the feedback.

"What I need is some feedback...
Padua vs. Verona"

My choice is Verona - it's a marvelous town (one of my Italian favs). I also like Vicenza and Mantua.

"Como vs. Bergamo"

My choice is Como - LAKE Como that is. Bellagio or Varenna. I like Lake Lugano as the most scenic (fjordlike) of The Lakes.

Padua vs Verona - for an overnight I agree Verona offers more. We love Padua and Vicenza as well. Mantua is real secret jewel, a must-see if you are into art. In fact I might stay in Mantua rather than Verona.

If going by car then after Verona/Mantua you could stop in Parma and then take train Parma-Milan.

CT is OK but certainly not a must see in my book. If you like to hike then it is better. If you like water taxis then it is good too. Two nights there is probably enough. Closeby is Pietrasanta, another must see if you like art especially sculpture.

With regard to Como, if you want to be on the lake and see real beauty stay mid lake around Bellagio, Menaggio, Varenna, Cadenabbia, or Lenno. Then you can take "ferry go round" as we call it and enjoy the little towns and even go to Como for a day. Como is truly beautful - bring scarfs and sweaters. We were there this past October and it was really cold.

Here is one idea; start in venice as planned; pick up a car and drive to Cortina; spend a couple of days there. You can go to lake misurina for a day, up to faloria to hike and watch the parasailors, walk around the olympic venues; eat at da bella seppe and ra stua; from there drive via the great dolomite road to bolzano or merano for a couple of days; head down to either como or garda via the wine road, spend some time at the lake; day trip to isera and then go to milan. If you've not been to milan before, I think you could keep busy for more than the 2 day conference - we added it at the last minute and were able to easily spend 3 days there. From there, you could just meander down through the piedmonte region to Rome. You'll be there during the wine harvest and its a fun time believe me.

As I read your re-stated thoughts you want to:

Arrive Venice, spend 2-3 nights.
Travel to Verona or Padua, spent 2-3 nights.
Travel to Milan, spend 2-3 nights.
Travel to EITHER Lake Como or Bergamo OR the Cinque Terre, spend 3-4 nights.
Travel to Pisa, perhaps spend one night prior to flight home.

If you're recording votes, mine are Verona and mid-Lake Como. FYI, you could easily day-trip by train from Milan to Bergamo while you're husband is occupied with his conference. I'd probably do all the travel by train.