I am flying into Malpensa in late September, <BR>have 3 days and rather than Milan, is there <BR>a city/town not far from there that I could <BR>take a train to? Or would Milan be the best bet? Thanks.

Christine, Take the train up to Stresa <BR>on Lake Maggiore and enjoy--you will not <BR>be sorry---0nly an hour away.

I would second Bob's recommendation - Stresa and the Borromean Islands would be good and very quick from Malpensa - should still be nice in Sept. Lake Orta to the west is especially charming. <BR> <BR>Personally, I preferred Lake Como, but I'm not sure how you could get there - I think Como city and then ferries around the Lake (Bellagio, Mennagio etc) would be a pretty good bet. Perhaps someone on this forum could advise on getting to Como from Malpensa. <BR> <BR>I suppose you might need to go via Milan and even a peep at the Duomo and look round the shops (perhaps also the Last Supper) in a few hours would give you some idea of the city. It would be a shame not to even glance at Milan. <BR> <BR>Alex

There is a direct bus to Lake Como from Malpensa (to take a train, you would have to go SOUTH to Milan via bus, then NORTH to Lake Como - dumb idea), then ferries that traverse the lake frequently (used by the locals to get around, not just for tourists). <BR> <BR>Don't spend more than a day in Milan; you can see the Last Supper (need reservations), the Duomo and La Scala in a day; the rest of the city is not very attractive.

Christine. <BR> <BR>I would go further than Elvira. Unless you particularly want to see "The Last Supper", don't go to Milan at all, except to change trains from Malpensa to Como or Stresa.