Fodor's Travel Talk Forums

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)
-   Europe (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/)
-   -   In Milan on 30th Nov- Need Help with Itinerary (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/in-milan-on-30th-nov-need-help-with-itinerary-750812/)

lenore29 Nov 28th, 2007 12:33 AM

In Milan on 30th Nov- Need Help with Itinerary
 
Hi all

I will be in Milan on the 30th Nov. Flights have been booked and that's about all. So i really need your help.

1) Pls suggest a hotel in a convenient location that is clean and good. Betw Euro100-Euro200 per night.

2) Am thinking of doing day trip to Lake Como. What are your thoughts given the winter season. How do we get there?

3) Would like to explore Dolomites. What's the best way to get there from Milan and should we stay over for 1-2 days or as day trip? What's the best place to stay and things to do in Dolomites.

Pls help!! Thks everyone. Appreciate your sharing your knowledge.

Thks.

Steve_James Nov 28th, 2007 01:35 AM

Hi Lenore -

2) A day-trip to Lake Como is easy enough by train. I suggest you take the train from Milan (- Milano centrale) to Varenna (- Varenna-Esino).

The highlights are the mid-lake area - Varenna, Bellagio and Menaggio. You can take the ferry between them.
For ferry timetables see:
http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/eng/com/nlc_ora.html

For train timetables from Milan to Varenna go to:
http://www.trenitalia.it/en/index.html

You could return to Milan from Varenna - or take the bus down the lake from Menaggio to Como and return from Como S.G by train.

............


3) The Dolomites isn't possible as a day-trip from Milan. You should plan a 2/3 day (- minimum) trip.

Easiest to access from Milan (- via Bolzano) are the Val Gardena and Castelrotto/Alpe di Siusi areas.

For early December I'd recommend staying in the Val Gardena - especially if you want to use the lifts (- most open on Dec 1 for the start of the ski season)).

I'd suggest staying in Ortisei - the nicest of the Val Gardena villages IMO. You can access several of the best lifts from Ortisei and from nearby Selva and S Cristina.

Lifts not to miss:
Ciampinoi & Dantercepies - from Selva
Alpe di Siusi & Seceda - from Ortisei

You may find these links useful:

www.valgardena.it
www.val-gardena.com

Let me know if I can be of more help ...

Steve


lenore29 Nov 28th, 2007 01:44 AM

I don't know how to ski but would love to try n learn a bit. If I spend 1-2 nights in dolomites, is this possible? Also, the ski lifts are for sight seeing i gather? Would it be necessary to know how to ski to enjoy this area?

Steve_James Nov 28th, 2007 01:53 AM

'Would it be necessary to know how to ski to enjoy this area?'

No at all! I don't ski - but I love visiting this area in December (- I've been there pre-Xmas for the last 5 years)

I take one or other of the lifts - and have lunch (- or a mulled wine & apple strudel) at the top, just enjoying the breathtaking scenery.

The ski-schools will be open from 1 Dec - so you can easily have a go :)

Steve

Steve_James Nov 28th, 2007 01:58 AM

P.S 'View from the top'

http://www.valgardena.it/download/ga.../wp11_1024.jpg

Steve_James Nov 29th, 2007 04:42 AM

P.S. If you're planning a Dolomites trip next week, be aware that Dec 8 is a public holiday - so hotels in the mountain resorts will be very busy between Thursday and Sunday.

Better to go the first half of the week (- or after Dec 9).

Steve

Clark55 Nov 29th, 2007 07:10 AM

There's a transport strike tomorrow so planes, trains, buses & trams will all be on strike.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:17 PM.