I'll be in Itally at the end of September and am looking for places to see near Milan. I'll have already visited Venice, Lake Como and Cinque Terre. Any suggestions? Possibly a train ride into Switzerland?

Pavia?

Parma?

Verona?

Cremona?

Consider the Barromean Islands. Stresa is the principle city, but the islands themselves are the main attractions. There is a small hotel on one island (Pescatori--or close to that spelling) which is lovely.

Bergamo is very close by, and it's a beautiful town to visit, where you can easily enjoy a full day walking around. It's also worth visiting nearby Vigevano, which has a very impressive main square.

I've said it before on this forum, and I'll say it again -- go to Lugano! It's about an hour train ride, but a world away. Lugano looks like the Mediterranean - beautiful lake, red tile roofs, flower boxes, palm trees - but surrounded by gorgeous mountains. It has the cleanliness, punctuality and sensibility of the Swiss, mixed with the warmth and friendliness of the Italians.

You won't regret it. If you go, be sure to take a lake boat to see either the village of Morcote or Gandria.

Susan

Another vote for Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands. Also, near lake Maggiore there is the beautiful Lake Orta with its awesome S. Giulio Island. Stresa can be reached by train from Milan Centrale, the trip is about 1 hour (less if you take the Cisalpino train). From Stresa you can take ferries on the borromean islands (Isola Bella, Isola Pescatori, Isola Madre), or go to Arona with its outstanding Rocca d'Angera (Angera Rock), or even reach Locarno and Cannobio in Switzerland by ferry from Stresa. The ideal would be to rent a car and go around the villages on the edge of the lakes at your own leisure, arrive up to the Mottarone or go up to Leukerbad always in Switzerland which is about 1 hour drive from Stresa. Leukerbad is a lovely spa resort nestled among the Alps, they have warm springs and outside swimming pools with wonderful warm water.... a real relax!

How much of Lake Como have you seen? There's rather a lot of it, plus lots more in the nearby Alpine valleys. See the links on http://www.straughan.com/italy/travel/lake_como.htm for some out-of-the-way places that are worth visiting.


best regards,
Deirdré Straughan

http://www.straughan.com