Milan daytrip suggestions
 

Suggestions welcomed, prefer using public transport. Family of four, young teenage boys. Shopping is not too appealing. Castles, museums, or maybe a winery or woodcarver, cooking class, musical stuff...anyone been to that theme park by Lake Guarda?

I'm confused. Are you staying in Milan and want daytrip suggestions that take you out of Milan, or are you outside Milan looking to spend a day in Milan or its environs?

I've not been to Gardaland itself (it's on Lago di Garda), but I've taken the train from Milano to the train stop and town where it is located, Peschiera del Garda. It's about an hour east of Milan (from Centrale Station). I have heard it is quite fun.

There is a castle in Milano, the Sforzeca. There is a better castle in Verona, about 75 minutes east of Milano. It's on the same line as Peschiera del Garda, and it might be a fun day to take the boys in the morning to the Verona castle and the big Roman arena there (better preserved than Rome's Colosseum), have a pizza in the Piazza Bra right in front of the museum, and then head for the rest of the day to Gardaland.

You could return to Milan in the evening.

topping, and clarifying. we are staying in Milan. (Also in Venice later) Hubbie and I spent a week in Verona awhile back, so are aware of it--might revisit from Venice if we have time. (The opera Aida was the high point of that trip) Anyway, daytrips from Milan-- ideas requested.

Lake Como is an hour away. They might enjoy riding the ferries on the lake. In the city of Como, there's a funicular up the mountain as well as access to hiking.

Check out Bellinzona (under two hours by train from Milano - http://switzerland.isyours.com/e/gui...ellinzona.html) has a castle that looks impressive.

Nearby pretty Locarno (26 min. from Bellinzona) has the elevated Madonna del Sasso church with remarkable views and surroundings and the lakefront etc. (http://switzerland.isyours.com/e/gui...o/locarno.html) - those two cities would be a good long daytrip.

Then on another day - for sheer prettiness - Stresa and the lake islands (www.stresa.org, www.stresa.net, www.stresaonline.com etc.).

WK