Northern Italy 11 days Milan in/out
 

My husband and I would like to take advantage of the low airfares from NY to Milan. Our last trip we were able to spend 16 days in mostly Tuscany then Bologna. It was such a special trip. This trip we will have to fly in and out of Milan. I was wondering if we have time to visit the Lake region during this trip.
I was thinking we would take the train to Cirque Terre and spend maybe 3 nights there. Then make our way to the Piedmont area (4 nights?) perhaps staying Alba and touring the area with a truffle hunting adventure. That would only leave 3 nights to drive up the lake area. Perhaps Lake Cuomo then drive back to the airport. Wondering if anyone has any comments on my length of stay for each area.
I had also heard that Lucca is wondering in the fall, so not sure where that fits in. Also, we have not seen the last supper in Milan but other than that, have no particular interest in Milan.

Oh and we were thinking last week in September - beginning of October for our trip. We like an active trip with good food.

Thank you for any comments you may have.

I wouldn't want 4 hotel stays in 11 nights, but that's me.

I also wouldn't want a 5-hour train ride after landing, but I understand the appeal of a great fare.

If I was arriving/departing Malpensa and had 11 nights, I'd be planning an itinerary that covers a smaller geographic area and/or choosing destinations with faster train connections.

But it's your trip, not mine.

You should research the Alba Truffle Festival. It might not start until Oct. 6/7/8, but there are events before the official opening. Peruse the thread below. It's a few years old but probably still helpful.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi..._Piedmont.html

When you search for hotels at the lake, note that it's spelled Como. You'll want a place with parking and to be near a ferry stop because it's likely you won't use the car while you're there. Most first-time visitors like the sights in the mid-lake area. Cadenabbia, Menaggio, Bellagio, and Varenna are connected by the mid-lake ferry.

We did a similar trip in August. Into Milan - train to Bellagio, 3 nights there. Ferry to city of Como, picked up rental car - drove to Lugano Switzerland 1 night. Drove to Piedmonte, 2 nights. Then onto Cinqua Terra, 2 nights. Then Tuscany (Chianti region) 4 nights. Final night in Milan. It was FABULOUS. Each place was hard to leave, but for our time, we saw a lot without being rushed. If you're looking for hotel suggestions, I can share. I'm envious!!!

Lake Maggiore (in Piedmont!) is just a few miles north of Milan Malpensa airport.
Check Stresa, Pallanza, Arona, Cannobio, Ascona, Locarno.....

The lakes and Piedmont are great places to visit. I wouldn't visit CT in the time frame you have. My suggestion is to spend as little time as possible in Milan.

Spend a few days around Lake Como (Como, Bellagio,and other places), and then several days in Alba or Asti.

As for geography and having enough time to visit the lakes, keep in mind that Como (the city) is just as close to Malpensa as is Milan center.

I think your plan sounds fine. None of your travel times/distances are excessive and you'd have 2 and a half to three and a half days in each location. For those locations that's fine. Of course you could stay longer in each but that is not a rushed itinerary by any means.

Couldn't tell if you planned to spend a night in Milan at all but either way is fine. Milan is a great city and certainly worth a day (or even just several hours, to see the Duomo and the center) but many people find it doesn't have that same wow that other cities in Italy have, so just flying in and out of MXP and skipping the city this trip makes sense too.