We are thinking about a trip to last about a week and half. This would be 2007, late May or July. [My wife is not allowed vacation in June.] This will be mostly, if not exclusively by train.

Everybody agrees about Venice (1/2 week) and back to Lake Como (1/2 week), but the third piece (1/2 week) is not decided upon.

Right now the contenders are:
Tuscany
Switzerland (maybe two locations if we really push it)
Nice, which has two things going for it:
Some family history in the nearby mountains
We can fly home directly from Nice.
or just daytrips.

Daytrip possibilities are Bergamo, Castelruth/rotto, Parma, Ferrara, Padua, (anything in the Veneto and Po River Valley would possible).

Your ideas are appreciated. Thanks

I would include the Dolomites in that itinerary. Look at Val Gardena and Castelrotto. Include the route via Cortina into Venice.

We chose to visit Nice this past May, partly because I could get MileagePlus seats to fly home from there. It turned out to be a very good choice, as we really enjoyed our three nights in Nice. There are so many day-trips to make from there, you will find lots to do. And Old Nice is quite charming and pleasant. The promenade along the ocean is beautiful, especially at night. And there's easy mass transit to use, too, like buses and the train. You can find my trip report if you click on my name above, for specifics on restaurants, hotel, and day-trips.

I've just returned home from a similar trip and agree with Bob about including the Dolomites.

We hired a car in Venice and drove to Conegliano (with a side trip to the wineries in the area), Cortina d'Ampezzo, across to Ortisei via Val Gardena, and then on to Lake Garda.

It was WONDERFUL and one of the most beautiful scenic areas I have ever been. We also took the Passo Pordoi cable car to the top of the Gruppo di Sella at 2950m - it was stunning!

Hi,
I agree with a few of the responses. We love the Dolomites region. A cable car from Ortisei (www.val- gardena.com) takes you to the Seiser Alm/Alpe di Suisi (www.seiseralm.net) with walking trails and great views. We stayed in St. Christina 3 years ago, are leaving in a couple of weeks and will be in the Dolomites (Alta Badia) again!

Paul

My kneejerk reaction was to say "Tuscany" until I read that you have some family history around Nice. I go w/Nice, simply because of that fact...it's usually an amazing feeling to connect with your ancestry, in whatever way you can. (Personally, though, I prefer Tuscany to the Nice, but that's just my opinion/experience.)