My husband and I are flying into Milan for 5 days over Thanksgiving. We're thinking of spending some time at Lake Como and then over to Verona and Treviso. Are there other places that folks would recommend? We don't want to spend the entire trip on a train. Thanks!

I'm not sure how much will be open on Lake Como in late November. It might not be worthwhile going that time of the year.

You could consider heading up to Lugano, Switzerland. It's an easy train ride from Milan and a beautiful city. It has the beauty of Lake Como with the liveliness of a city.

what a great suggestion! i'll check it out. i've been to italy before and love it -- and i'm hoping to turn my husband on to the joy of travel on this trip (he hasn't been out of the country before). thanks!

dubc,

Glad you liked the suggestion. If you love Italy, then Ticino (the Italian-speaking area of Switzerland) will be an easy transition. Lugano is beautiful - a gorgeous lake surrounded by mountains, palm trees, a lakefront promenade, red-tiled roof buildings, and snow-capped mountains in the distance(maybe in Nov.)

I've never been there in November, but if it's decent weather, you should take a ferry to either Morcote or Gandria to explore. (My brother-in-law lives in Gandria -- lucky me!) They're both tiny villages clinging between the side of the mountain and the lake. In Morcote you can hike up a trail to a hilltop church. In Gandria there are intricate cobblestone paths and steps leading in many directions, with a path along the lake.

Also, the town of Bellinzona (about an hour north of Lugano) is interesting, with 3 castles.

I don't have my photos posted on the web or I'd send some to you. Here's a link to someone else's that can give you a glimpse to the beauty of Lugano: http://www.jharrisdesign.com/personal/Lugano/

Susan