Hi,

I'm trying to decide the best way to spend 6 nights in Northern Italy in mid-July. I'm not into churches or museums but love to explore charming areas, food, shopping, beautiful scenery, unique cities and unique experiences. This is what I am considering:

Mon-Wed: 3 nights Lake Como (Bellagio)
Thurs: 1 night Cinque Terre(not sure where)
Fri-Sat 2 nights Milan

Can anyone weigh in here? I've never been to Milan, should I spend 2 nights here, or is it "another city" or empty during summer weekends and should I spend one of those nights elsewhere? Does anyone have a better suggestion? Any help is appreciated!

I would not go to Milan - yes, it's "another city"; nor would I go all the way to the CT for just one night.

I happen to think Lake Lugano is the most scenic of all the Lakes. Also - from the town of Lugano, you can easily visit Lakes Como and Maggiore.

I suggest that you spend all 6 nights there; you'll find plenty of what you're looking for - charming areas, food, shopping, beautiful scenery, unique cities and unique experiences.

We just returned from Northern Italy last week. We stayed in Bellagio for 3 nights. That area is beautiful. Be sure to take the ferries to some of the islands.

We stayed in Bergimo for several days. One day we took the train from there to Milan. One day in Milan is enough.

Are you flying out of Milan? If so, I suggest you stay in Stresa which is on Lake Maggiore. Stresa is beautiful and is about a 40 min. taxi ride to the airport in Melpensa.

Thank you. Yes, I am flying out of Milan. Should I not even opt for 1 night there? Katie, seeing that I'm staying in Bellagio for 3 nights, you still recommend Stresa? Is it different enough? I'm also considering exploring some little towns off the lake. Any recommendations?

>Should I not even opt for 1 night there?<

Not in my opinion.

>I'm also considering exploring some little towns off the lake.<

Check out Morcote and Gandria on Lake Lugano...

If you want a lot of contrast, consider the region of the Dolomites in the northeast. Wow! We were unlucky enough to be there for two days of clouds and it was still amazing! We stayed in Bolzano and loved it but some of the small villages we drove through were certainly charming with their window boxes dripping with flowers.

And, if shopping is one of your things, then I think Milan is definitely worth a day and night, at least. I understand they have some very tempting designer outlet stores. And the visit to the roof of the Duomo is more than just another visit to a church. And the Peck Store takes food to another level; it's not your nonna's deli!

We took a train to Milan while we were in Bergamo. The Duomo was absolutely beautiful and as toni said the roof of the Duomo is not like any church. However, that might not interest you.

I wouldn't want to stay in Milan overnight. Touring it for a day was fine.

Stresa was lovely. We stayed there 2 nights as we were driving from Bellagio. My husband didn't want to leave the rental car in Milan as Melpensa airport is pretty far from the city. When he found out there was a drop off in Stresa, he made arrangements for us to stay there.

While in Stresa, we took a ferry to a couple of the islands--Isola Bella and Isola Superiore (fisher's island) where we had lunch.

While you're in Bellagio, I recommend La Punta restaurant. Only eat there if the weather is nice as all of the tables are outside. They serve the most wonderful fresh local fish.

I don't think you will have enough time to visit Bolzano. That was one of our favorites. We spent a day driving through the Dolomites which were spectacular.

Good luck with planning your trip. It's too bad you won't have more than 6 days in Italy.

I tend to agree with TuckH about Lugano.
You could spend the whole time there easily, enjoy the villages around Lake
Lugano and daytrip by rail to Locarno,
I think it is on Lake Maggiore, and take one of
the boats over to artsy,colorful Ascona.
Hotel Lugano Dante Swiss is an excellent place to stay with a breakfast buffet you will never forget. The funicular is right out the door and takes you up to the rail station. The lake is a couple of
blocks away and you are right in the middle of shops, restaurants, etc. We
took a shuttle from the rail station to
Malpensa airport. We went the afternoon before our flight and spent the night at First Hotel-maybe 10 min
from airport. They send their shuttle to
get you at the airport where you are dropped off from Lugano and take you back for your flight. A restaurant right
by First Hotel that starts with LaQ was
the best meal we had on our trip.