Narrowing in on my plans. Here goes, after arriving in Milan (July)will go directly to Venice and spend 2-3 nights there. Should I then rent a car and drive to the lakes? Which lake area of the 3 would you recommend (or more than one)? I have a few hotel recommendations from this site, but other reasonable (less than $200.00) hotel suggestions would be appreciated. It is our 25th wedding anniversary, so we can splurge a little. We have 2 weeks to spend, so I am thinking about visiting the CT after that. Other ideas welcomed. <BR> <BR>Thanks <BR>Denise

We just did that -- flew into Milan, picked the car up at the airport, drove to Stresa on Lake Maggiore, a very easy drive on the autostrada and stayed 2 nights at Hotel Villa Aminta, a wonderful and beautiful hotel, deluxe lake side rooms, I think it was 420,000 lire (which I think is less than $200/nt). Had a terrific time touring the Borromean Islands, and then drove to Portovenere (stopping in Portofino for lunch) to hike the Cinque Terre. I would highly recommend it. I have no experience with the other lakes, so can't give you any info.

I would highly recommend Lake Maggiore Stresa. I have stayed at the Regina Palace Hotel and at the Astoria Both excellent places. The hotel astoria is newly renovated also try a day trip to Lugano Great places for a 25th anniversary

Another vote for Stresa on Lago Maggiore. We stayed at the Hotel Italie et Suisse, which was well under $200 a night and, though nice enough, not what I'd call a "splurge." The town is lovely, though, and being able to boat to the islands and across the lake to the Saturday market in Laina was delightful. It's also a good base for wandering up in the surrounding mountains.

Barbara, <BR> <BR>I read your posts and I believe you said the drive from the Lakes to CT was about 5 hours. Am I right? How much further was Elba? Just trying to figure out how long it would take to get back to Milan. <BR>How is driving in these areas. My husband has absolutely no sense of direction. It ought to be an experience! <BR>Does everyone suggest a car? <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Denise

Hello Denise, You are into my favorite stomping grounds with this itinerary. I see a combination of car and train. The real question is sequence. I would do 4 destinations in your time, but I would start with Lago Maggiore after landing--then to the CT--then to Venice and end your trip at Lago Como. I would drop the car in Venice and train after that. There are many variations on a theme. When you ask how long to drive you need to be specific. Stresa to Santa Marg. is only 3 hours--Bellagio to Portovenere may be 5 hours. Let me know if you need more help.

Denise our ride from Stresa to CT took 5 hours because we stopped for lunch in Portofino and spent a couple of hours there hiking up to the castle and around the town. Bob the Navigator is correct that driving directly would take around 3 hrs. Portovenere to Elba ferry took 4.5 hours BUT ONLY because we stopped for a few hours in Pisa, and then for lunch, at of all places, MacDonald's in Piombino (among our haute cuisine adventures, my husband's objective, dating back some 30 years, is to visit a MacDonald's in every country we travel to). So I guess, substracting out the Pisa and MacDonald's stop, the drive from Portovenere to Piombino ferry is a short trip -- could be as short as 2 hrs? Re your husband's poor sense of direction -- that might not impair your drive from airport to stresa to ct to piombino. But it may make Tuscan hilltown driving a bit treacherous. Also driving from Piombino to Milan may be an all day affair, even though most of it is on the autostrada. We flew from Rome and got from Chiusi to Rome via train, but our travelling companions drove from Tuscany to Malpensa and it took the better part of the day.

Hi, you mentioned ideas, I have some. <BR> <BR>You said you have some time you can spend here after you do Venice. <BR>Well, if you pick a place to stay around the MXP area( Gallarate, Varese, etc.) you would be in a good location to visit all these lakes. <BR>Example: if you are in Varese, one day you can go to Lugano(beautiful lake and city), one day you can do Lago Maggiore, another you can go see Como and its lake (all really beautiful). Another day trip would be to the Lago di Garda. <BR>From Varese, it will take you @90 minutes ( this one taking you the longest to get to, the others are all within 30 minutes). <BR>Gallarate is the best location, however, it is not very pretty. I suggested Varese because it is a city ( very small) and pretty. <BR>If you were to stay in a hotel in the center, you would be able to walk to everything (don't worry about the driving in the center part it is not like other centers). <BR>I can tell you more if you want to email me. <BR>Hope at least this gives you some ideas or options. <BR>You should have a great anniversary. <BR>