Adi1983

Dear all,
I and my husband will go to Milan in july 2013. We have 3 or 4 days more after Milan, and we want to use it to see other nice destinations in Europe. We have already seen these cities: Florence, Venice, Rome, Paris and some small cities in France, Geneva, Berlin, Prague, Zagreb, Istanbul.
We are 30 years old. We live far from Europe, so we want to use these few days to see new places. We don't drive, and travel only by train or airplane.

Please help us to find a new good city to visit, as near to Milan as possible. We have think about two choices:
1-Go to chamonix-mont blanc in France and visit alps (we are not interested in ski or other exercises, just plan to ride lifts and trains).
2-Go to Vienna by flight, although it is too expensive.

Which plan do you think is better? Would you please suggest us any other new plans?
Thanks in advance

bilboburgler

I'd look at Bologna or Ferrara, using the train is easy and you can either walk or bicycle in both cities very safely.

Why, well the food is very good, Bologna has the oldest (or second oldest) university in Europe and some very pleasant shopping. Ferrara is like a mini Bologna.

kybourbon

Lake Como? You could take the train to either Como or Varenna and spend a few days on the lake.

cathies

Do you like the seaside? Cinque Terre isn't too far from Milan and is a beautiful collection of small towns.

Adi1983

Thanks. All your comments are useful.

stevewith

Italy's new fast trains are so good that you can now be in Napoli in 4 hours from Milan. If you want an urban vacation in July that has both sea breezes and fantastic sights and fantastic food, try Napoli. It is very cheap.

For cooler temperatures, Mont-Blanc in July is spectacular and it is quite easy to reach by train from Milan, only about 2 hours or so. You don't need to go as far as Chamonix or Courmeyer, both of which are expensive. You might enjoy staying in either Aosta or Pre'Saint-Didier, both of which have train stations. There are many stunning walks in that area, with the mountains filled with summer flowers, and you do not need a car.

You can also visit the some of the prettiest areas of the Matterhorn using public transportation from Milan. It's about a 2 hour train to Chatillon and then an easy bus in the direction of Breuil-Cervania. If you pick a hotel in that area, they can help you out with specifics.

Bologna and Ferrara are both very hot and humid in July, but at least Bologna it is somewhat shady due to the porticoes that cover the streets. It also has better train connections to visit neighboring cities, of which Ravenna is the most rewarding.