Debbie

I would just like to give you a short rundown on my recent trip to to Italy and Switzerland, and to thank the Fodorite's who gave me some good tips before the trip.<BR><BR>We (2 of us) travelled from October 2 - October 11 and flew from Washington, DC to Milan. Our trip took us to Bergamo and Lucca in Italy and Lugano, just over the Swiss border. We had previously visited the more major cities in Italy, so this time went to smaller places, though none of them are off the beaten path.<BR><BR>We had great weather while we were there, and enjoyed ourselves very much.<BR><BR>We basically stayed two to three days in each place, and travel time between cities was not too long, except for Lugano to Lucca. We travelled by train. Some highlights in part 2.<BR><BR>

Debbie

BERGAMO is about an hour's train ride from Milan, with maybe 100,000 people. The city is divided into 2 parts - the lower (new)town and the upper (old) town, the latter being of most interest. It was great to just wander around the old town and the older part of the new town, popping into several beautiful old churches and several small museums. In the daytime it was warm enough to sit at outdoor cafes. We easily saw the sights of the city in 2 days, and did not leave the environs of the city at all.<BR><BR>LUGANO was just another hour or so from Bergamo. It is a small city with a beautiful lakeside setting. In our time there, we wandered around downtown for half a day or so, went for a long walk along the lake to the quaint and very touristy village of Gandria, took a boat ride on the lake, and went on a day trip up nearby mountain from which there was a great view of the taller mountains to the west.

Debbie

LUCCA - It took half a day to get from Lugano to Lucca, which is located about an hour west of Florence in Tuscany. Lucca is very compact, with an intact set of walls which are walkable around the entrie city. We were there for two days, and of that time spent half a day in nearby Pisa (half an hour by bus). That was the only time we encountered toursist en masse. Lucca's heyday was even before Florence's or Sienda's, so the churches are even older there. <BR><BR>Overall, the trip was very enjoyable. Even though these places have no world famous sites, they are worthwhile to visit.

Mike

Debbie - Thanks for the report. I am going to Italy soon, and will be in Lucca for a tow days/one night. What hotel did you stay in?

Debbie

In Lucca we stayed at the Hotel Piccolo Puccini - a very nice moderately priced hotel in a great location. Would highly recommend.

Mike

Hey..good trip report.

Alice Twain

In Luca you can eat some of the best roast chestnuts you can possibly find. Diego Banti has a place right in front of the local Ikea shop with a children car racing track and a small hut where he roasts his chestnuts. He is ranked the best in Switzerland for both price and quality and is probably one of the best in Europe, besides he is a really nice person (allright, his wife is far nicer, but he's not bad too).