Here is the tentative (meaning it will change a dozen times) for the 2018 Italy trip...

Days 1 -3 - Milan
Days 4 - 8 (Bologna (day trips to Padua and Ravenna)
Days 9 - 11 (train to Turin) then drive to Lake Maggiore (Stresa)
Days 12 - 14 - Piemonte wine area (Alba or somewhere else)
Days 15 - 17 - Turin
Day 18 Early train to Malpensa - Fly home from Milan

A couple of questions...I see mixed reviews of Lake Maggiore...thoughts?

I could add an extra day to either Bologna or Piemonte wine area?

Your input appreciated. Grazie!

I loved Stresa and Lake Maggiore - the three Borromean Islands just off shore are a delight - the local band gave concerts lakeside in early evening.

Why train to Turin -why not train to Stresa (where you do not need a car- boats everywhere) -then drive

Or put Stresa at end of driving and drive to Malpensa Airport from there - not far.

Thanks PQ...both of those ideas seem more sensible. You'd think a guy who went to the Harvard of the West would have thought of that.

If you would have gone Italy this summer you could have seen Harbaugh and U-M football team on their 'study abroad' sojourn in Italy.

What sort of "mixed reviews?" I love Lago Maggiore (and Lago di Orta, close by), and the Borromean Islands. Much more than Lago di Garda, which did not suit me at all. I don't know Lago di Como so can't comment, but Maggiore is beautiful and we hope to get there soon again.

I see mixed reviews of Lake Maggiore...thoughts?>>

more years ago than I care to remember [but the child I was carrying is about to be 30....no, I agree, I don't look old enough but there you are] we spent 2 weeks on holiday in Stresa, and we loved it. The islands are especially attractive.

My only cavil with your itinerary is that you seem to me to be spreading yourselves quite thin. What time of year are we talking about?

SC - I have read old threads where Maggiore ranks behind the other lake regions for many, but all the things I've read and seen make it out as gorgeous. Just needed some reinforcement on my plan.

Autumn...late September...early October. Wanted to be in Alba around the truffle festival.

annhig, this itinerary is easy compared to mot of the crazy trips we do. No stays less than three days...early trains afford more time. As you might say, "Easy Peasy." How's the gin making these days?

Go Blue!

Seriously, why are you going Torino, then to Lake Maggiore, then after a few days back to Torino?

Ooops--left out the Bologna step.

But why such an emphasis on Torino? It's OK, but. . .

Well, I've now decided to take the train to Turino, drive an hour south to wine country and spend three or four nights there, then spend a few days in Turino and end up in Stresa and drive to the airport. I didn't realize how close Stresa was to Malpensa until Mr. PQ pointed me the right direction. Go Aztecs!

"But why such an emphasis on Torino"

We're only spending 2 1/2 days there...seems like that isn't too long.

I'm not a huge fan of Lago Maggiore. I much prefer the beautiful scenery of other lakes, in particular Lago di Como. However, I do like it for it's easy access to Malpensa airport, and prefer Baveno to Stresa (5 mins apart). The best of the Borromean islands to my eye is Isola Madre, and while the gardens of Isola Bella are a touristy curiosity, it is really the palazzo interior on the island that is quite beautiful, so talk a walk around inside if you go to the island. But by mid-October it can already be cold there.

If you want to add a day to Bologna you can visit Brisighella, easily doable by train, and a real surprise for most people. However, the real surprises are in Torino, in particular the movie museum, but also no end of eclectic places to visit -- palaces, auto museums, modern art, underground tours, plus chocolate tours and a great cocktail scene.

I've never been to the Alba truffle festival but I hear it is a zoo. Most of the best restaurants in Piemonte are not in Alba, and if your idea is to experience the Piemontese food & wine extravaganza that is legendary then you will need to book the best places many weeks in advance. Speaking only personally, the wine country of Piemonte doesn't interest me as much as Torino, but it's a hard call as to which deserves more time if the truffle fair is a must for you. I'd probably shave a day off MIlan unless you've a long list of sites or stores you very much want to visit -- and give that time elsewhere.

Is there a particular reason you want to see Padova on this trip? There are many good specific reasons to go to Padova, but there are a number of day trips from Bologna that also have great interest, or many people enjoy taking a food tour for a day in the countryside. I've nothing against Padova, however, if you want to invest the time and want to see it.

Be aware that Bologna fills up with trade fairs in October, so book lodgings well in advance. Check out Antica Casa Zucchini.

Re-reading your original post it suggests to me that you could add a day to your overall trip. If that is the case, suggest you add the day and give it to Piemonte, since one of your days is going to be completely occupied by the truffle festival.

Also, I would reverse the order of the Piemonte visit: take the train from Bologna to Torino, spend nights in Torino, then pick up the car, do the wine country & truffle festival, then drive to Stresa.

Another vote for an extra day in the Piemonte. We stayed in Stresa before Malpensa and I recall it a very easy trip.

Once again, I'm jealous.

If you want the name of a great wine tour guide for a day in Piemonte, let me know. He drives, you taste. And he knows all the small producers.

I visited Bologna and Turin in March and had a great time in both cities.
The newly revamped Egyptian museum in Turin is worth some time.

In Bologna, we stayed in an apartment that we loved. The owner also runs a b&b in the same bldg, Bologna nel Cuore. I think it is the cleanest place I have ever stayed at & the location was perfect.

I have not visited Turino for years but even then I thought it was a gem!

"If you want the name of a great wine tour guide for a day in Piemonte, let me know. He drives, you taste. And he knows all the small producers."

That would be great...exactly what we're looking for. Grazie!

I will dig up the info and send you an email.

As far as Piemente wine country is concerned...Is there a preferred area to stay?

Albi, Govane and Barolo interest me so far in my research. Thanks.