dcd

I'm still trying to figure out where to go for our 10th wedding anniversary and am about to drive myself crazy, which would make this whole exercise one big waste of time, LOL.

Anyway, one of the possibilities is a CT/Lake Como trip for 10 days at the end of next May. We've not been to this area of Italy before. If we opt for this trip, I'm thinking we'd fly in and out of Malpensa. (We'll have to fly round trip to take advantage of all those credit card miles we've been building up. Someone's got to keep the economy going....) I'm thinking it would make the most sense to go to CT first altho we might spend the first nite in Milan to see the Last Supper either that day or the following morning. (Is it worth it??) That afternoon we'd take the train(s) to CT and I think I can figure that out once I figure out where in CT we'd stay.

We'd spend 3-4 nights in CT and then head to Lake Como. Here's the part I haven't figured out. Presumably there are trains that would get us there. Perhaps from the Genoa station? We'd probably head to Varenne. How long a trip?

We'd then spend 3-4 nites in the Lake Como area. How do we get back to Malpensa and would we have to leave the night before and spend the night at an airport hotel (assuming a morning departure back to the States)?

Does this itinerary sound reasonable? Any reason we'd need a car around Lake Como?

Thanks for your help!

ira

Hi d,

Looks reasonable to me.

Did you check train schedules at www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html?

Shanti

If you visit Milan, I'd recommend also seeing the duomo. It's gorgeous.

You have to make reservations to see the Last Supper.

zeppole

Hi,

This is a really easy trip, so don't worry about it.

First of all, it's a great idea to spend your first day in Milano, seeing the da Vinci (definitely worth it) and the abovementioned Duomo. Also, eating in Milano is just wonderful.

Take a look at booking Locanda Antica Leonardo.

You take a train at that point to le Cinque Terre from Milano Centrale. A very few of the trains go direct to Monterosso al Mare. Most require a switch in Genova -- no problem.

If you have your heart set on le Cinque Terre despite knowing the towns are jammed with tourists, and you want to climb hills and/or hike, go to Cinque Terre. But if your main attraction to the area is the idea of a pastel seaside location with charm and romance, try Camogli. Somewhat larger and with better shopping if that interests you are Santa Margherita Ligure and Rapallo. All offer easy access to great hiking and views, but the towns themselves are easy walking.

Lastly, you just get back on a train headed for lovely Varenna, on Lago di Como. (You will need to switch in Milano, and possibly Genova first). If you'd rather stay at a different part of the lake, you can take a quick ferry from Varenna to other beauty spots.

To fly home, you can arrange for a car transfer from the lake the morning of your flight, or you can leave the day before to return to Milano. There are early morning trains and buses to the airport. I would pick Locanda Antico Leonardo again.

I don't know what you can do about flights, but if you can fly through London, Paris or Frankfurt and switch to a flight to Genova, that would make sense.

You can do this trip in reverse, starting with Lago di Como. I would take a taxi transfer directly to the lake, pricey but worth it, or you can head first to Milano for a night. Were I starting in the lakes, I would return early to Milano to see the da Vinci and the Duomo before flying home.

Have a great time!

dcd

zeppole, thanks for all the great information!!