In September, my husband and I are traveling on FF miles into Milan for 8 days to tour northern Italy. (We were only able to book a return from Amsterdam to USA) What would be a fun itinerary in the lake region and Dolomites - we like small towns --and where shall we retun from to catch the Amsterdam flight? Thanks!!!

Are you driving or relying on public transportation?

If you stay in northern Italy, Easyjet flies between Milan Malpensa and Amsterdam.

For getting back to Amsterdam, you can look at whichbudget.com to see where to catch cheap flights from Italy to Schiphol. For instance, I see transavia flies from Pisa, Rimini, and Verona. But only at certain times on certain days. So it depends on your return flight time and day.

Upon arrival, I'd go direct from the airport to Stresa on Lago Maggiore or to Lago Como, and spend a few days getting over jet lag.

Thanks for that website. We will be renting a carwhich really helps with flexibility. We have been to Bellagio and LOVED it - is Stresa on Lago Maggiore as nice? OK--once we have "recovered" - what would be a fabulous itinerary after that? We are celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary, by the way. Thank you!

No, Lago Maggiore is not as nice as Lago di Como.

You probably need to describe your interests more, and say how much you want to be driving or staying in one spot, before people can help with an itinerary.

If we spend two nights in Bellagio, that leaves us 5 days in the Dolomite region. We like to hike and we love wandering through small towns. We also like to cover a lot of ground. For itinerary help we are looking for suggestions of cities that are "must sees" in that region, as well as non-tourist things to do. Then - hopefully we will end with two nights in Amsterdam.

If you first go to Bellagio, you are really not in the best position to head out for the Dolomiti.

I might suggest that instead you book a fabulous hotel on Lago di Garda (San Vigilio would be the luxe http://www.punta-sanvigilio.it/) or book a fabulous hotel in Verona, or a nearby small town.

Once you are over your jet lag, rent you car in Brescia or Verona, and head up to the Dolomiti through Bassano del Grappa.

I don't think you can combine "hiking and wandering thru small towns" with "covering a lot of ground." You are talking about a trip through the mountains.

What time is your flight out of Amsterdam? It might make sense for you to drop of your car somewhere in the Veneto, and take a train back to Milan, or fly back from the Venice airport.

If you need to take a very early morning flight out of Milano, it would make sense to spend your last night in Italy in Stresa (on Lago Maggiore) with your car, and return the car in Malpensa when you leave.

By the way, since you mentioned "non-touristy things to do, you might consider heading straight for Friuli, and just wandering there, instead of the heavily touristed Dolomiti and lakes. Try googling up some information and see what you think. If you can, drop off your car in Venezia, and get a flight from there to Amsterdam.

Hi Danen - For five days in the Dolomites I suggest you base in the Val Gardena area.
www.valgardena.it

Ortisei or Selva make an excellent base for touring/hiking - or nearby Castelrotto is also an attractive choice (- though less central).

If you prefer to have 2 bases, Upper Val Badia is also very scenic (- e.g. San Cassiano, Colfosco).

If you plan touring by car, I have several day-trips which I've posted previously. I can give you a link if you're interested ...

For hiking you may want to check lift opening dates (- some remain open throughout September, others close earlier). Here's a link:

http://www.valgardena.it/en/lifts/page65.html

For your return to Amsterdam from this area, Transavia fly from Verona or Treviso.
www.transavia.com

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

Steve

Hello my helpful friends!
Where would you suggest we drop a car in Veneto to take a train to Milan? Renting a car for this week is roughly $1,000 to go in and out of Milan.