Milan, Lake Como, Dolamites
Jan 8th, 2004, 04:39 AM
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Milan, Lake Como, Dolamites
Planning a trip with family to explore northern Italy in June. Seems like it would make sense to fly in and out of Milan from New York. Any suggestions on itenararies, hotels, sites not to miss, restaurants would be appreciated. What other sites are within drivng distance of Milan that we should visit? My hubby and 14 year-old enjoy the outdoors, hiking, nature, good food, and driving through different neighborhoods and wandering around (hopefully not aimlessly, with the help of all of you). Previous postings were a tremendous help in planning out last trip to southern Italy.
Jan 8th, 2004, 06:46 AM
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We trained easily from Milan to Varenna but you can drive it. I liked Varenna as it was smaller and just lovely. About a 10 min ferry ride over to Bellagio for more shops/restaurants night life. Lake Como is very relaxing and pretty to walk around.
Milan's cathedral is not to be missed. Take an elevator to the top and walk among the Spires. Windowshop the main drag. See the Last Supper.
I haven't been to the Dolomites but hope to some day.'
How long do you have? Can you include Venice and Verona?
Milan's cathedral is not to be missed. Take an elevator to the top and walk among the Spires. Windowshop the main drag. See the Last Supper.
I haven't been to the Dolomites but hope to some day.'
How long do you have? Can you include Venice and Verona?
Jan 8th, 2004, 07:00 AM
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We are thinking about staying 10 days. My family gets restless if we are away longer than that. We visited Venice last time and loved it. How far is Lake Como from Lake Bellagio? any recommendations on where to stay there? Is it there enough time to drive to Switzerland, and if so, what towns do you recommend? Thanks for the replies.
Jan 8th, 2004, 07:14 AM
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Bellagio is one of the towns situated on the shores of Lake Como and with the greatest of respect for you AND your "warning" in the initial post regarding "positive comments" I suggest that right now you get out the atlas and survey the region you are considering exploring.
Jan 8th, 2004, 09:05 AM
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Bellagio is a great base to explore the Lake Como area, as there is extensive ferry service from there. There are numerous excellent day hikes in the area. My favorite begins in the town of Ossuccio, on the eastern shore of Lake Como. From town, it is a short hike to the Madonna dell'Soccorso church. Along the way, you will pass several small chapels built along the paved path depicting scenes from the life of Jesus. Once you reach the church, you will have a beautiful view of the lake. Then from there you can continue to the monastery of San Benedetto in Val Perlana. It is a long, occasionally strenuous hike through a chestnut forest to a 10th cenutry monastery in the middle of nowhere. This website is in Italian, but has a great picture of both the Madonna dell Soccorso and the Abbazia San Benedetto.
http://go.supereva.it/fel/Valperlana.htm?p
Two restaurants I would recommend are Bilacus, right in Bellagio, and Al Veluu, in the town of Rogaro, across the lake from Bellagio. Al Veluu is high on the hillside and has a beautiful patio overlooking the lake. Among their specialties are fresh lake fish.
One area to visit near Milan is Certosa di Pavia. It is a grand monastery built by the Sforza family and is architecturally stunning. It also has a neat gift shop, where they sell herbal remedies and liquers made by the resident order of monks. There is a very good restaurant just outside the monastery walls called the Chalet della Certosa .
My favorite place to eat in Milan is Da Giacomo. It can be somewhat touristy, but the seafood is good and the peoplewatching fun.
http://go.supereva.it/fel/Valperlana.htm?p
Two restaurants I would recommend are Bilacus, right in Bellagio, and Al Veluu, in the town of Rogaro, across the lake from Bellagio. Al Veluu is high on the hillside and has a beautiful patio overlooking the lake. Among their specialties are fresh lake fish.
One area to visit near Milan is Certosa di Pavia. It is a grand monastery built by the Sforza family and is architecturally stunning. It also has a neat gift shop, where they sell herbal remedies and liquers made by the resident order of monks. There is a very good restaurant just outside the monastery walls called the Chalet della Certosa .
My favorite place to eat in Milan is Da Giacomo. It can be somewhat touristy, but the seafood is good and the peoplewatching fun.
Jan 8th, 2004, 09:22 AM
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Hi traveling,
I'll second the Orta San Guilio recommendation. It was such a lovely town with frescoed building facades (reminded me of Bavaria) and a beautiful church (fabulous frescoes inside). You can have lunch by the waterside gazing out at the lovely Isola San Guilio and then take the short boat trip to the island and enter the church there with it's black marble pulpit and then walk the "way of silence" around the island (about 10 minutes).
Sacro Monte, the chapels devoted to St. Francis are just outside Orta and a definite stopping place. There are 20 chapels with frescoes and near life size figures representing scenes from St. Francis's life.
If you go to Bellagio (and I would recommend it), do eat at Bilacus as tommy recommends. Wonderful food and delightful staff.
I'll second the Orta San Guilio recommendation. It was such a lovely town with frescoed building facades (reminded me of Bavaria) and a beautiful church (fabulous frescoes inside). You can have lunch by the waterside gazing out at the lovely Isola San Guilio and then take the short boat trip to the island and enter the church there with it's black marble pulpit and then walk the "way of silence" around the island (about 10 minutes).
Sacro Monte, the chapels devoted to St. Francis are just outside Orta and a definite stopping place. There are 20 chapels with frescoes and near life size figures representing scenes from St. Francis's life.
If you go to Bellagio (and I would recommend it), do eat at Bilacus as tommy recommends. Wonderful food and delightful staff.
Jan 8th, 2004, 02:48 PM
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Hi traveling
Milan:
-I agree, don't miss the rooftop of the Duomo.
-People-watching in the Piazza Duomo and in the nearby Galleria.
-For luck "spin" on the bull's testicles in the floor mosaic in the Galleria (makes a good tale to tell, anyway).
-the Sunday morning antique/flea market in the canal area (Navigli district, I think) is great for strolling/people watching/cheap sunglasses.
Dolomites:
-I second the Castelrotto vote. There are accommodations of all types, it is in a beautiful location and makes a nice base. When we were there in early June, many of the higher hiking areas were still snowy but the Alpe di Siusi (a gorgeous huge alpine meadow surrounded by postcard-peaks) was green and has lots of walking options. There is a website, try www.dolomites.com, I think, that had info on the area.
-the ice man museum in Bolzano (actually it is the archeology museum) is a great place to stop at.
Have fun!
Milan:
-I agree, don't miss the rooftop of the Duomo.
-People-watching in the Piazza Duomo and in the nearby Galleria.
-For luck "spin" on the bull's testicles in the floor mosaic in the Galleria (makes a good tale to tell, anyway).
-the Sunday morning antique/flea market in the canal area (Navigli district, I think) is great for strolling/people watching/cheap sunglasses.
Dolomites:
-I second the Castelrotto vote. There are accommodations of all types, it is in a beautiful location and makes a nice base. When we were there in early June, many of the higher hiking areas were still snowy but the Alpe di Siusi (a gorgeous huge alpine meadow surrounded by postcard-peaks) was green and has lots of walking options. There is a website, try www.dolomites.com, I think, that had info on the area.
-the ice man museum in Bolzano (actually it is the archeology museum) is a great place to stop at.
Have fun!
Jan 8th, 2004, 03:04 PM
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Thanks for all the great information. Anyone have any idea how long it takes to Switzerland from the Dolomites?
bobthenavigator: I'm sure you have favorite places to stay in Milan. Your advice on Rome and Venice was right on the money the last time we were there.
bobthenavigator: I'm sure you have favorite places to stay in Milan. Your advice on Rome and Venice was right on the money the last time we were there.
Jan 8th, 2004, 03:20 PM
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I have done a similar itinerary. The fashion district is interesting and visit the Duomo(be sure to go up on the roof). I am not aware of important sites near Milan. (Watch out for theives, I had my back pack stolen in Milan).
I would take the train, not a car from Milan to Lake Como. We stayed in Varenna and loved it. You can take a ferry to the fun towns, like Belagio. Consider Lake Magiorre as an alternative. It is similar to Lake Como. I really liked Stresa.
If you go to the Dolamites be sure to rent a car. Driving these mountains is spectacular, and public transportation is not good. You could come back to the Milan airport from Lake Como, rent a car and drive to the Dolomites. We stayed in Castelrotto and loved it. Consider seeing the "ice man" museum when you drive through Bolsano. When you come down from the Dolomites, you could turn your car in at the Verona train station and head east to Venice.
Good luck!
I would take the train, not a car from Milan to Lake Como. We stayed in Varenna and loved it. You can take a ferry to the fun towns, like Belagio. Consider Lake Magiorre as an alternative. It is similar to Lake Como. I really liked Stresa.
If you go to the Dolamites be sure to rent a car. Driving these mountains is spectacular, and public transportation is not good. You could come back to the Milan airport from Lake Como, rent a car and drive to the Dolomites. We stayed in Castelrotto and loved it. Consider seeing the "ice man" museum when you drive through Bolsano. When you come down from the Dolomites, you could turn your car in at the Verona train station and head east to Venice.
Good luck!
Jan 9th, 2004, 08:26 AM
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bobthenavigator:
Would like to hear your comments on why you are not a fan of Milan. My family is not too keen on days and days of visiting museums, although a small dose of it is tolerable. Our plans are not written in stone yet, so we can be pursuaded to see other cities in Italy, or Switzerland, perhaps. We have already visited Rome, Venice & Amalfi. Any suggestions?
Would like to hear your comments on why you are not a fan of Milan. My family is not too keen on days and days of visiting museums, although a small dose of it is tolerable. Our plans are not written in stone yet, so we can be pursuaded to see other cities in Italy, or Switzerland, perhaps. We have already visited Rome, Venice & Amalfi. Any suggestions?
Jan 9th, 2004, 08:49 AM
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Hi,
Stayed in Bellagio last year at the Grand Hotel Vill Serbelloni. Beautiful historic villa right on the lake just steps (only about 100 feet) from the town of Bellagio. Spa, pool, gym...beautiful! Great day or overnight trip is to drive up through the mountain passes and tunnels to Zermatt, Switzerland....tram up to the Matterhorn...stunning!
Also, look into taking a boat to a resturant in the middle of Lake Como on a private island, can't remember the name but it was wonderful!
Best,
John
Stayed in Bellagio last year at the Grand Hotel Vill Serbelloni. Beautiful historic villa right on the lake just steps (only about 100 feet) from the town of Bellagio. Spa, pool, gym...beautiful! Great day or overnight trip is to drive up through the mountain passes and tunnels to Zermatt, Switzerland....tram up to the Matterhorn...stunning!
Also, look into taking a boat to a resturant in the middle of Lake Como on a private island, can't remember the name but it was wonderful!
Best,
John
Jan 9th, 2004, 01:06 PM
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It is very easy to get from Lake Como to the Swiss mountains. I suggest you either take the Palm Express Bus from (Lugano-) Menaggio to St. Moritz or the train from Varenna to Tirano, where you change for the Bernina Express train to St. Moritz.
In case you'd like to stay a night or two in the vicinity of St. Moritz you also could continue by public transportation via Zernez - Ofen Pass - Meran to the Dolomites. Makes a good round trip.
Ingo
In case you'd like to stay a night or two in the vicinity of St. Moritz you also could continue by public transportation via Zernez - Ofen Pass - Meran to the Dolomites. Makes a good round trip.
Ingo
Jan 11th, 2004, 02:47 PM
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Hi Ingo,
Are you referring to the St. Moritz, the popular ski destination for jet-setters? Would consider spending a night or two there. Any recommendations on accomodations?
bobthenavigator,
Per your reply, maybe we'll just spend the first and last night in Milan. You would rather go south to Verona from the Dolomites rather than head north from Lake Como or Dolomites to Switzerland? Or am I cramming too much into 10 days?
Thanks to all for input.
Are you referring to the St. Moritz, the popular ski destination for jet-setters? Would consider spending a night or two there. Any recommendations on accomodations?
bobthenavigator,
Per your reply, maybe we'll just spend the first and last night in Milan. You would rather go south to Verona from the Dolomites rather than head north from Lake Como or Dolomites to Switzerland? Or am I cramming too much into 10 days?
Thanks to all for input.
Jan 11th, 2004, 03:06 PM
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In case you want to do a search for this place, you'll need the accurate spelling: Orta San Giulio.
I noticed a few people just happened to make the same typo of reversing the positions of the i and u. The point is not to play "spelling police," but that any people unfamiliar with the name would get confused trying to search for it if they thought that was the actual spelling.
