Help with Northen Italy itinerary
 

Hello all-<BR><BR>Those of you who have been to Northern Italy - can you comment on this tentative itinerary? Thank you very much!<BR><BR>May 25-June 7 (will rent a car)<BR><BR>-Arrive in Milan - spend 2 nights and take day trips.<BR>-Go to Bellagio - spend 4 nights<BR>-Then to Verona - spend 2 nights<BR>-Then to Cinque Terre - 3 nights<BR>-Lake Orta - 2 nights<BR>-Fly out of Milan<BR><BR>Is this too much? Should we cut one destination? Or, do you have any other suggestions?<BR><BR>Thanks all for your help, this forum has been a big big help.<BR><BR>Pablo

One more thing to add: Is 2 days in Verona and 2 days in Orta enough?<BR><BR>Thanks

It certainly doesn't sound too busy. I would make a couple of changes, having been to all those places. If you can arrange it, I would suggest you head for Bellagio immediately upon arrival, and stay there only 3 nights. Then on to Verona for 3 nights, and spend at least one day on a day trip to Venice. Cinque Terre is easy to see in 3 nights. Lake Orta is OK for 2 nights and one day; Orta San Giulio is a small village. Then go to Milan and spend your last night or two there before leaving. Good luck.

Thanks Wayne. I failed to mention that we've been to Venice already (WONDERFUL place!). We're staying in Milan the first two nights because we plan on taking a day trip to Switzerland and we are using Marriott points for the 2 nights. Orta seems to be about 45 minutes from MXP, our flight is at 4pm, so I think it will work out.<BR>Thank you for your input.<BR>Pablo

I agree with Wayne to head directly for Bellagio. I would then organise Milan at the end of the journey.<BR>Bellagio: 3 nights<BR>Verona or Vicenza: 3 nights, with daytrips (Cittadella, Asolo,... Padova)<BR>Orta San Giulio: 1, maybe 2 nights<BR>5Terre: 3 nights<BR>Milan: rest of the stay, with daytrips (Pavia,..., Switzerland???)

Well, one of the reasons for Milan at the beginning and not the end of the trip is this:<BR><BR>We live in NYC, and when we visited France last year we did Provence first and then Paris. Because of the 'big city' atmosphere we were already stressing out before we got home. We figured this time, stop in Milan first, start decompressing, and end the trip on a high note with Orta.<BR><BR>However, why do you guys think we should do Milan last? Anything I'm missing?<BR><BR>Thanks<BR>Pablo

My only reason for suggesting Milan last on the trip rather than first was that typically I like to get out away from the big city immediately upon arrival. That, plus you will already be closer to Bellagio when you arrive at Malpensa. But if you have structured the vacation for other reasons, there's certainly nothing wrong with it. If you've seen Venice, then seeing Vicenza and maybe Padua while at Verona is a good recommendation. Enjoy your trip.