Italy in May..where to go
Jan 13th, 2009, 11:59 PM
#21
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Where are you going?
You certainly don't want a car in Milan. Where are you going after that?
There are many lovely destinations in northern Italy accessible by train.
But others require renting a car -- which can be picked up at the airport or along the way.
You certainly don't want a car in Milan. Where are you going after that?
There are many lovely destinations in northern Italy accessible by train.
But others require renting a car -- which can be picked up at the airport or along the way.
Jan 27th, 2009, 03:15 PM
#22
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At long last a few minutes to check in on Fodors.
We will arrive in Milan on the evening of Thursday, May 7th, and have to be in Basel on May 17th.
I think we will stick to north of Florence as we would only have 7 or 8 days for Italy as we just booked a Rhine cruise.
That being said, Is San Gimignano a must see?
I was looking at the map and thinking of Lucca, Cinque Terra, Lake Como areas and maybe three days in Switzerland.
We have been to Florence so it is not a must see on this trip.
Any further thoughts from all of you who have taken the time to respond (and thanks..Sicily is on the list another year because of info. posted above!).
We would prefer a couple of bases from which to travel if the trains would work for this, although we could rent a car if it is really necessary and maybe do a circle.
We will arrive in Milan on the evening of Thursday, May 7th, and have to be in Basel on May 17th.
I think we will stick to north of Florence as we would only have 7 or 8 days for Italy as we just booked a Rhine cruise.
That being said, Is San Gimignano a must see?
I was looking at the map and thinking of Lucca, Cinque Terra, Lake Como areas and maybe three days in Switzerland.
We have been to Florence so it is not a must see on this trip.
Any further thoughts from all of you who have taken the time to respond (and thanks..Sicily is on the list another year because of info. posted above!).
We would prefer a couple of bases from which to travel if the trains would work for this, although we could rent a car if it is really necessary and maybe do a circle.
Jan 28th, 2009, 05:22 AM
#24
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San Gimignano is not a "must see." I think the Lucca-Ligurian Coast-Lake Como are is a good one. I did the Ligurian Coast (but not the CT; I skipped this due to the hordes of tourists I saw bound for the CT at the Camogli train station every day!) ) with Lake Como a few months ago--we had a total of 10 nights.
Jan 28th, 2009, 06:58 AM
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zep..sorry I thought it was clear but obviously not!
We arrive Milan the night of May 7th and I think I would like to leave Italy May 14th which actually gives me less time than I thought!
San G is not recommended as a must see by eks so that helps.
eks..Lucca, Ligurian
Coast Lake como sounds interesting, but now I am down to fewer nights is it a lot?
Did you drive or take the train?
I now have a print out of Piedmont!!
Of the regions it seems that the choices would be Lombardy, Piedmont, Liguria and Emilia Romagna (not all of the above!!).
We would like some history, architecture and quaintness and also lake scenery. We assume we will take the train to Basel, but I am not locked into that.
We arrive Milan the night of May 7th and I think I would like to leave Italy May 14th which actually gives me less time than I thought!
San G is not recommended as a must see by eks so that helps.
eks..Lucca, Ligurian
Coast Lake como sounds interesting, but now I am down to fewer nights is it a lot?
Did you drive or take the train?
I now have a print out of Piedmont!!
Of the regions it seems that the choices would be Lombardy, Piedmont, Liguria and Emilia Romagna (not all of the above!!).
We would like some history, architecture and quaintness and also lake scenery. We assume we will take the train to Basel, but I am not locked into that.
Jan 28th, 2009, 07:07 AM
#26
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One of the reasons I suggested Piemonte is that you said you enjoyed your meandering trip in Provence. You would need a car to do this, but you might consider combining hilltowns of Piemonte with Lago d'Orta,
I will join ekscrunchy in relieving you of the burden of seeing San Gimignano. It is a very striking place, but it you should feel obliged to drive that far for one small town.
If you didn't want to drive, you could have a marvelous visit to Emilia-Romogna, where such beautiful small towns as Ferrara, Parma, Modena, and Ravenna are all on train lines. But you'd be missing a lake, unless you put Lago Maggiore in there.
Lago di Garda, plus Verona and Bergamo might work for you (no car needed)
Lago di Como (Varenna), plus Bergamo and -- hmm? Mantova? Might also work as a no train trip.
I will join ekscrunchy in relieving you of the burden of seeing San Gimignano. It is a very striking place, but it you should feel obliged to drive that far for one small town.
If you didn't want to drive, you could have a marvelous visit to Emilia-Romogna, where such beautiful small towns as Ferrara, Parma, Modena, and Ravenna are all on train lines. But you'd be missing a lake, unless you put Lago Maggiore in there.
Lago di Garda, plus Verona and Bergamo might work for you (no car needed)
Lago di Como (Varenna), plus Bergamo and -- hmm? Mantova? Might also work as a no train trip.
Jan 28th, 2009, 07:10 AM
#27
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Oh, and I forgot to add: No car needed to go from Milan to Genova, taking in the Ligurian coast line, then on to Lucca, with a day trip to Pisa, back up toward Milano and you might even get Parma in there -- but I'd have to look closely at a train map. But you could certainly get Pistoia or one of the Tuscan spa towns. Having a car at some point would give you more freedom in Tuscany.
There's just so many places to go! I think you really need to decide first if you do or don't want a car.
There's just so many places to go! I think you really need to decide first if you do or don't want a car.
Jan 28th, 2009, 09:49 AM
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Phil: I did have a rental car. But one of the joys of the Ligurian coast is the easy public transport options. I recommend highly.
Lucca would be much more of a draw for me than San Gimignano, for example. But not an actual, essential "must do." The problem with some of the small towns like SG is that while the architecture is fabulous, they have become so overrun with tourists, including group tourists, that any joy of meandering around is tempered by the hordes of people and the clusters of businesses that have grown up to attract them. This has been a severe problem, in particular, in SG.
Lucca would be much more of a draw for me than San Gimignano, for example. But not an actual, essential "must do." The problem with some of the small towns like SG is that while the architecture is fabulous, they have become so overrun with tourists, including group tourists, that any joy of meandering around is tempered by the hordes of people and the clusters of businesses that have grown up to attract them. This has been a severe problem, in particular, in SG.
Jan 28th, 2009, 12:19 PM
#29
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I'm def. leaning towards no car. We arrive at 7:30pm at the airport in Milan so we would need to get the shutlte I guess into Milan.
Would we need one day in Milan to see the basic sights? Would it be best to see Milan at the start or the end of the trip.
I looked at a basic train map and came up with:
Milan to Parma. Base in Parma and visit the ER towns by train.
Also take the train from Parma to La Speza for Cinque Terra. Do we need to stay overnight in the area??
Parma back to maybe Como and Varenna??
Como to Basel.
Stay in Basel and just visit Zurich.
Problem is we will have a large suitcase and a carry-on each. We really have to set a base in two areas at most if we do the trains or rent a car.
The train fares do not seem inexpensive if I am pricing them correctly. Is it like in England when one-ways are as much as returns?? Can you get a local area one day train pass (not EurRail)?
Would we need one day in Milan to see the basic sights? Would it be best to see Milan at the start or the end of the trip.
I looked at a basic train map and came up with:
Milan to Parma. Base in Parma and visit the ER towns by train.
Also take the train from Parma to La Speza for Cinque Terra. Do we need to stay overnight in the area??
Parma back to maybe Como and Varenna??
Como to Basel.
Stay in Basel and just visit Zurich.
Problem is we will have a large suitcase and a carry-on each. We really have to set a base in two areas at most if we do the trains or rent a car.
The train fares do not seem inexpensive if I am pricing them correctly. Is it like in England when one-ways are as much as returns?? Can you get a local area one day train pass (not EurRail)?
Jan 28th, 2009, 02:57 PM
#30
How about seeing Verona, Vicenza & Padua? U could base in Verona or Vicenza and do day trips via train to the other ones. Also really nice is Bologona where u could do a day trip to Ravenna which is fabulous.
Jan 29th, 2009, 05:39 AM
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You would need a day in Milan to see the essentials. You will not need a car there. Since you arrive at night,spend one night in Milan at the start.
I would skip Zurich, if possible. That city will pale by comparison with some of the places you are considering in northern Italy.
I would skip Zurich, if possible. That city will pale by comparison with some of the places you are considering in northern Italy.
Jan 29th, 2009, 06:02 AM
#32
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Is there another town/city you recommend in Switzerland as we we be leaving from Basel on our river cruise?
Do you know of a reasonably priced hotel near the station in Milan? We don't need luxury just clean and an elevator as we will hardly be in the room. We have had to lug bags up stairs in some of our travels and that is no fun! I take it we could go into Milan via the shuttle and stay the night, sightsee on the Friday and either travel by train to our base Friday night or Saturday morning. We are travelling from Machester to Milan direct and will have already been in England for 6 days so no jet lag.
I am highlighting the towns mentioned yestravel on the rail map.
I have been looking at Parma, Modena, Reggio Eemilia, Ferrara, Bologna Ravenna, Cinque Terra and Lucca. I am thinking maybe Lucca is too out of the way?? How would any of you prioritize the above?
Zep..I hope to hear from you regarding my last post
Thanks for everything all of you.
Do you know of a reasonably priced hotel near the station in Milan? We don't need luxury just clean and an elevator as we will hardly be in the room. We have had to lug bags up stairs in some of our travels and that is no fun! I take it we could go into Milan via the shuttle and stay the night, sightsee on the Friday and either travel by train to our base Friday night or Saturday morning. We are travelling from Machester to Milan direct and will have already been in England for 6 days so no jet lag.
I am highlighting the towns mentioned yestravel on the rail map.
I have been looking at Parma, Modena, Reggio Eemilia, Ferrara, Bologna Ravenna, Cinque Terra and Lucca. I am thinking maybe Lucca is too out of the way?? How would any of you prioritize the above?
Zep..I hope to hear from you regarding my last post
Thanks for everything all of you.
Jan 29th, 2009, 06:43 AM
#33
CT is great for outdoor hiking etc. if u want to do that.
I'm a little confused on exactly how much time u have to spend in this area. 9 days? does that include a day in Milan? R u going to lake Como area? Is that part of the 9 days?
We loved Bologna, (about 2 hours by train from Milan). It's a beautiful university town with fabulous food and fashion and doesn't attract a large number of tourists. It's a very walkable town. You can take a train from there and go to Ravenna for the day. The mosaics are stunning. U can also go by bus or train to Ferrara- we skipped Ferrara so dont have an opinion on that.
I think Lucca is a bit far if u base yourself in Bologna. But u can easily go to Parma, Modena and Reggio from Bologna.
Northern Italy is an incredbly destination rich area to explore. It was hard for us to choose where to go last Spring. So much so that we spent 2.5 weeks in it last year and will be going back for 3 weeks this Spring. There are just tons of little villages and fascinating places to visit.
I'm a little confused on exactly how much time u have to spend in this area. 9 days? does that include a day in Milan? R u going to lake Como area? Is that part of the 9 days?
We loved Bologna, (about 2 hours by train from Milan). It's a beautiful university town with fabulous food and fashion and doesn't attract a large number of tourists. It's a very walkable town. You can take a train from there and go to Ravenna for the day. The mosaics are stunning. U can also go by bus or train to Ferrara- we skipped Ferrara so dont have an opinion on that.
I think Lucca is a bit far if u base yourself in Bologna. But u can easily go to Parma, Modena and Reggio from Bologna.
Northern Italy is an incredbly destination rich area to explore. It was hard for us to choose where to go last Spring. So much so that we spent 2.5 weeks in it last year and will be going back for 3 weeks this Spring. There are just tons of little villages and fascinating places to visit.
Jan 29th, 2009, 07:50 AM
#34
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Our itinerary is Milan-Cremona-Bologna-Florence.
Possibly a sidetrip to Lugano if possible. What is the most interesting things in Milan? Our interests are mostly food, scenery, contryside, etc. Is a rental car good for this or not necessary.
Possibly a sidetrip to Lugano if possible. What is the most interesting things in Milan? Our interests are mostly food, scenery, contryside, etc. Is a rental car good for this or not necessary.
Jan 30th, 2009, 01:08 PM
#35
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Would you say each village/town in Emilio Romagna needs a day to itself?
How doable is a car in ER? How is driving and parking?
I keep looking at the train schedules and they do run frequently, but unless I am reading everything incorrectly they are nit inexpensive, and I was wondering if we could see a lot more by car.
Possibly:
One night in Milan.
Train from Milan to Parma or Bologna (which??), stay in one place for five nights and then rent a car to drive around the area staying in one hotel.
Then we would get the train back to Milan and go on to Como for a couple of nights.
Finally we would get the train to Basel (over 5 hours) and be there two nights.
We had no problem driving in Spain and France but I understand Italy is totally different for a driver!
How doable is a car in ER? How is driving and parking?
I keep looking at the train schedules and they do run frequently, but unless I am reading everything incorrectly they are nit inexpensive, and I was wondering if we could see a lot more by car.
Possibly:
One night in Milan.
Train from Milan to Parma or Bologna (which??), stay in one place for five nights and then rent a car to drive around the area staying in one hotel.
Then we would get the train back to Milan and go on to Como for a couple of nights.
Finally we would get the train to Basel (over 5 hours) and be there two nights.
We had no problem driving in Spain and France but I understand Italy is totally different for a driver!
Jan 30th, 2009, 01:44 PM
#37
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That is encouraging ekscrunchy! Is parking a bear??
After mapping out a day by day itinerary I kept coming back to being able to see so much more by car.
Where would you suggest as a base?
After mapping out a day by day itinerary I kept coming back to being able to see so much more by car.
Where would you suggest as a base?
Jan 30th, 2009, 03:32 PM
#38
Once we left Bologna, we picked up a car and drove back North. I think Northern Italy (outside the cities) has more traffic then other parts of the Italian countryside that we've driven in. But I agree, having a car allows u to see a lot more. For example there is an "art town" about an hour outside Bologna that we would not have gone to if we didn't have the car. It just allows more flexibility. And I agree, the train prices are not that inexpensive.
We had no trouble parking in April/May. What u do need to be careful about is the no cars in some city centers. Apparently if u miss these signs and drive into one of these zones, they take pictures, send the ticket to your car rental agency who taxs on a hefty fee in addition to the fine for entering a "no car" zone.
U might want to compare costs between training i and to keeping the car and returning it to the train station b4 going to Basel.
I vote for Bologna as your base.
We had no trouble parking in April/May. What u do need to be careful about is the no cars in some city centers. Apparently if u miss these signs and drive into one of these zones, they take pictures, send the ticket to your car rental agency who taxs on a hefty fee in addition to the fine for entering a "no car" zone.
U might want to compare costs between training i and to keeping the car and returning it to the train station b4 going to Basel.
I vote for Bologna as your base.
Feb 3rd, 2009, 07:00 AM
#39
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Whew..
I have decided on this itinerary so please feel free to comment.
May 7th Arrive Milan evening. Staying at the Hilton for $99 plus tax (Hotwire). I know it is not for the purists but the price is right.
May 8 Tour Milan. Got Last Supper tickets but all they wanted was my name and gave me a reservation number to use to pay at the ticket office on the day. Does this sound okay? The internet kept giving me an error traingle, and it was a quick and easy call. Tickets by the way are posted up until the end of May.
May 9 Drive to Bologna and tour the town. Drive to Ravenna. Stay in the centre of Ravenna at palazzo Galletti Abbiosi and they have parking.
May 10 Tour Ravenna
May 11 Maybe go to Ferrara and then on to Parma and tour Parma
Stay on a farm outside of Parma.
May 12 Cinque Terra
May 13 Modena and Reggio
May 14 Drive to ?Como (open to suggestions for that lake viewing!!)
Return car
Stay Milan Hilton
May 15 Get the 7:30am train to Basel
May 16 ?
May 17th Tour Basel and get on river boat in the afternoon.
Questions..are we doing too much?
Is it hard to get out of Milan by road from the train station? We are 3 blocks away so it would be handy to pick up and drop off there.
Any alterations or suggestions?
We looked at staying in Bologna but changed our minds.
Would it be better to do a guided tour of Milan or is it easy to do a self guided tour? We did look at a Viator tourwhich included the Last Supper and that was $70 for a 3 1/2 hour tour inc. La Scala and the duomo (no roof) and a walking tour of the centre.
Thanks for any input and for all received so far!
I have decided on this itinerary so please feel free to comment.
May 7th Arrive Milan evening. Staying at the Hilton for $99 plus tax (Hotwire). I know it is not for the purists but the price is right.
May 8 Tour Milan. Got Last Supper tickets but all they wanted was my name and gave me a reservation number to use to pay at the ticket office on the day. Does this sound okay? The internet kept giving me an error traingle, and it was a quick and easy call. Tickets by the way are posted up until the end of May.
May 9 Drive to Bologna and tour the town. Drive to Ravenna. Stay in the centre of Ravenna at palazzo Galletti Abbiosi and they have parking.
May 10 Tour Ravenna
May 11 Maybe go to Ferrara and then on to Parma and tour Parma
Stay on a farm outside of Parma.
May 12 Cinque Terra
May 13 Modena and Reggio
May 14 Drive to ?Como (open to suggestions for that lake viewing!!)
Return car
Stay Milan Hilton
May 15 Get the 7:30am train to Basel
May 16 ?
May 17th Tour Basel and get on river boat in the afternoon.
Questions..are we doing too much?
Is it hard to get out of Milan by road from the train station? We are 3 blocks away so it would be handy to pick up and drop off there.
Any alterations or suggestions?
We looked at staying in Bologna but changed our minds.
Would it be better to do a guided tour of Milan or is it easy to do a self guided tour? We did look at a Viator tourwhich included the Last Supper and that was $70 for a 3 1/2 hour tour inc. La Scala and the duomo (no roof) and a walking tour of the centre.
Thanks for any input and for all received so far!
Feb 3rd, 2009, 07:52 AM
#40
I think u are really trying to see too much. It looks like u will get to CT and then leave the next day? And the same with Lake Como, drive there and stay 1 night and leave? Or r u just driving there taking a quick look and sleeping in Milan that night?
We enjoy driving ourselves when we travel, however we avoid at all cost driving in cities. It always seems like we waste so much time with the traffic and one way streets and getting lost. Maybe take the train from Milan to Bologna, explore it and pick up your car when u leave and go to Ravenna. I think Ravenna will be a nice town to overnight in.
I may have mentioned this, but in case I didn't, be very careful with driving into towns. Many do not allow cars in their centers. They post signs that indicate the days/hours this is prohibited. Apparently they have cameras that snap pictures and the ticket will be sent to the rental car agency. U will have to pay the fine and a hefty fee the rental car adds on.
Having planned a trip to N Italy last year and now for this year, I know how hard it can be to pick places to visit. Some days we just drove around and checked out the smaller villages.
We enjoy driving ourselves when we travel, however we avoid at all cost driving in cities. It always seems like we waste so much time with the traffic and one way streets and getting lost. Maybe take the train from Milan to Bologna, explore it and pick up your car when u leave and go to Ravenna. I think Ravenna will be a nice town to overnight in.
I may have mentioned this, but in case I didn't, be very careful with driving into towns. Many do not allow cars in their centers. They post signs that indicate the days/hours this is prohibited. Apparently they have cameras that snap pictures and the ticket will be sent to the rental car agency. U will have to pay the fine and a hefty fee the rental car adds on.
Having planned a trip to N Italy last year and now for this year, I know how hard it can be to pick places to visit. Some days we just drove around and checked out the smaller villages.
