julies

Can you help me with a general route idea and transportation planning for a 3 week trip starting in mid May? We fly in and out of Milan Malpensa which I know is north of the city up towards the lakes. I don't think we are going to go into Milan itself at all, and we'd likely spend our last night somewhere in the lakes area with fairly easy access to the airport for our 11:00 am flight home to the US.

Here is what we are thinking: Maybe a week in an apartment Venice outside of the super touristy center; we could also do some day trips if we want. We've been to Venice before, but it was over New Year's for five days, and the weather was cold. Or, will Venice be so crazy and overrun with tourists at this time of year that we wouldn't want that much time there?

We want to see some of the lakes--maybe Maggiore and Como since out goal is to see beautiful gardens and nice villas, to do some walking, and to take the ferries to see some lovely scenery. I think maybe we'd want one base on each lake (if those are our best choices) since we much prefer trips where we can settle into an apartment-type place rather than moving from hotel to hotel all the time. I'm also wondering about a day or two in Verona and a day or two in Ravenna (I was there 40 years ago and loved it).

Here is the kicker though. We want to do a week-long bicycle trip and had originally thought we'd do one in the north. After intensive researching, the one we've found that the one we really want to do is in Umbria (not exactly in the Veneto or Lakes district). So I also need to figure out how and when in this itinerary to get to Assisi for a week.

I know the train will be our solution for most of this trip but am wondering it a rental car would make sense for the lakes region with a drop or pick up in Assisi. And, if we were to do this itinerary, if we devote a week to Venice and a week to our bike trip, how should we split up the other days? What that I have mentioned, other than Venice and the bike trip, could be reduced or eliminated? We have exactly 21 days for the trip. We've done lots of European trips and, although we like art works, churches etc,, we know that those things eventually blend together in a haze in our minds while the general ambience of places stays with us. So, we are not really all that focused on doing all of the big tourist sites. If you've got some suggestions, I'd really appreciate the help. Thanks.

bobthenavigator

Wow---that is longer than some trip reports.
FTI, Malpensa is 30KM WEST of Milano and is a bit closer to Lago Maggiore and Lago Orta but not Como.

And, there is no rental car in Assisi---you can get it in Perugia or Foligno.

I would start in Venice and end at the lakes--probably Maggiore for easier access to MXP. Good luck !

julies

Thanks, Bob. I know you have spent a lot of time in the area. I was also kind of thinking that route might make sense.

Sorry about the length. I just couldn't figure out which info was relevant and which wasn't to help decide on an itinerary.

neckervd

Stay the last night at Stresa. Train connections to Malpensa airport Terminal 1:
Stresa dp 7.23 - MXP T1 ar 8.58
Stresa dp 7.50 - MXP T1 ar 9.04
http://www.maggiore.ch/?lang=en
http://www.illagomaggiore.com/?set_language=en&cl=en
http://www.lagomaggioreturismo.it/ing_home.html
http://www.lagomaggiore.net/uk/
http://www.lagomaggioreonline.com/?newlingua=UK&
http://www.ascona-locarno.com/
http://distrettolaghi.eu/en/
http://www.vareselandoftourism.it/
http://www.borromeoturismo.it/scripts/home.php?lang=en
http://www.cannero.it/uk/index.asp?a=0&b=0
http://www.museo-ogliari.it/
http://www.provincia.va.it/santacaterina/
http://www.villataranto.it/
http://www.gignese.it/museo/
http://www.giardinoalpinia.it/
http://www.mottarone.it/
http://www.comune.ortasangiulio.no.it/

I would rather stay in the old town of Perugia (more scenic) than at Assisi.

julies

neckervd--

Great resources, thanks! It does look like an easy hop to get from Stresa to the airport. The cycling tour we are thinking about does a circular week long loop from Assisi. That's why I need Assisi.

bilboburgler

I hope the knees hold out for the trip around Assisi. The area between Verona, Bologna and Venice is probably some of the easiest bicycle country outside of the Netherlands. But if you want hills then you want hills.

May should not be too bad in Venice.