mattruby

Hello

After 2.5 weeks in France (Paris, Provence, Cote D'Azur) and then another 1.5 weeks in Italy (CT, Tuscany, Florence) we will be spending 3 nights in Venice. From there we have three spare nights before we have one night in Milan and then fly out.

Originally we had planned on doing the Lakes District staying in Bellagio. Problem is that will entail a 2-3 hr train trip to Milan, 1+ hour train trip to Como, and then 45 min ferry to Bellagio (and that doesnt include tim waiting around for the trains). Our other option is to stay in Varenna since that has a direct train link from Milan but this board seems to suggest that Bellagio is nicer.

Im not a great traveller (ie get ill) so would prefer not to have such a long trek to get there esp after 3+ weeks travelling, but Ive heard the Lakes District is gorgeous and not to be missed.

That said, I dont want to spend the three nights in Lakes District sick in bed...

So Im thinking of other options to do for those extra 3 nights.

Ive heard Verona is lovely and easily accessible by train, but is 3 nights too much there? Ive also heard Lake Garda is nice but also seems like a bit of a trek.

Any other ideas for these extra three nights. I would consider adding an extra night to Florence (so 4 in total just prior to Venice) so there would be only 2 extra nights to play with, but dont really want / need to spend extra time in Venice as have been there before.

If you all suggest Lakes is worth the trek, any suggestions for hotels around the 100e mark would be great. The Albergo Milano in Varenna looks gorgeous but unfortunately they dont have availability for all three nights.

Thanks in advance.

rex

It is indeed, not to be missed - - but after four weeks traveling, it's hard to say what will strike you as spectacular, and what will be blurred together - - and even perhaps lost to the "I'm just ready to get home" phenomenon.

That said, Lake Garda is a shorter trek from Venice, and offers some of the same kinds of pleasures as Como. Each is different, of course. Sirmione and the south end of Garda seems a greater contrast from its north end (northern western shore, Riva itself, and northern eastern shore, all three lumped together) - - when I compare the Garda "spectrum" to the collection of (admittedly fantastic) destinations around Lake Como.

I would never say that Garda is better than Como - - Como is like a collection of Maserati, Ferrari and Porsche, one corner more "wow" than the next; Garda is like multiple fun places, but each one quite a bit more different from its cross-lake counterparts: It's an Audi TT, a Suzuki Sidekick, and a Mini Cooper - - each fun, but none in the George Clooney stratosphere world of the finest things in life, perhaps.

Best wishes,

Rex

ssachida

How about some of the alpine towns like Bolzano, Merano or Trento? Its still a 3 hr train ride but a shorter distance.

mattruby

Thanks very much for the ideas so far.

Any other suggestions?

Mthomp77

One can easily spend 3 nights in Verona and the surrounding area. It's a very short train trip to Lake Garda from there (30 minutes) and the trains run every 30 minutes. You could explore Verona for 2 days (+ good shopping!) and do a day trip to Lake Garda.

Then it's just a 2 hour train ride to Milano.

aj

I would just like to say that Varenna is a wonderful little town and one that should not be missed. We took the train from Milan and it was very enjoyable. Why not go to Varenna and if you want to see Bellagio take the ferry from Varenna. We spent three days in Varenna in May and I could have stayed a week there. It is BEAUTIFUL!

travelbunny

..vernoa is fun but beautiful spots close to venice..padua and vincenzia.

ira

Hi Matt,

Trieste is only 2 hr from Venice by train.

bobthenavigator

You will love Varenna and Lago Como as a fitting conclusion to a great trip.

jgita

What about just staying in Venice? There is so much to see and do there. Staying in one place a whole week gives you a chance to relax and just be at home there.
Another idea would be to spend the last days in Milan--great shopping, restaurants, museums.

Good luck,
j

RufusTFirefly

Add at least one night to Venice itself.