Advice for Northern Italy

Scruff101

hi have just booked flights for 8 nights at end of Sept. Flying into Milan and out of Venice. My route is Milan-Lake Garda- Verona- Venice. Does that sound ok...how many night in each place!? Also can we get trains or should we rent a car?! Any other advice appreciated! Thanks!!

dan_d

Hey a few years ago we did something similar....into Milan for 2 nights, then a train to Lake Garda, where we stayed for 5 days. We took a day trip to both Venice and Verona from Lake Garda by train - so you get an idea of the distances..
Trains are grand and apparently driving into and parking in Venice in the summer is an absolute nightmare.
As for the time to spend there - personally, I thought 2 days was plenty in Milan (now that's just personal opinion)...I didn't feel there was that much to do/see. We spent 5 days in Lake Garda because we were doing day trips from there - it is beautiful though. Depending on where you're staying - we were down at the south of the lake - you'll find there's a lot to do.
Verona is smallish, a day did us fine there, and we went to see an opera aswell - if you can get a chance to do that it's amazing.It's in an ancient Roman open air amphitheatre. And I loved Venice. We had a day there and it just wasn't enough - I think you'd easily spend 2 or 3 days there.
Check out the Italian railway website to get an idea of how the trains work, but we generally had no problems whatsoever, they're easy to work out. Just bear in mind you buy your ticket and you have to stamp it in the yellow machine on the platform, otherwise it's not validated - and they have ticket inspectors on every train who check.
Hope that helps!

wintear

I would have to say stay at least one if not two nights rather than just a day trip in Verona. The Arena looks nice lit up on the main square. Then there is the smaller interconnected squares which are very romantic to stroll through. There is even that Juliet balcony if you are so inclined.

The Castelvecchio on the river bank is a great castle with a nice art gallery.

schween

I did something similar a few years ago:

Flew into Venice early morning, spent a day there.

Took a train to Verona where we stayed at a friends for 5 days taking day trips to Lake Garda, Gardaland theme park etc. + 1 on the open air Roman amphitheatre, it is amazing! And of course the obligatory Romeo and Juliet balcony.

Spent the last 2 days and one night in Milan, which was plenty for us.

Oh and validating your ticket is VERY important, you don't want a fine!

central park

Am going to Milan in July and then to Venice for two nights. Was thinking of doing two nights in Verona because I heard its lovely, but not really into opera so is it worth a visit? Would like two or three nights near Lake Garda so any suggestions please. Only going for a week.

Sandwlch

central park wrote: »

Am going to Milan in July and then to Venice for two nights. Was thinking of doing two nights in Verona because I heard its lovely, but not really into opera so is it worth a visit? Would like two or three nights near Lake Garda so any suggestions please. Only going for a week.

If a week to see Milan, Garda, Verona, Venice, then dont stay in Verona at all, unless it suits your movements. A day trip there is plenty.

Depending on you flight times, would suggest a full day/night in Milan, then stay somewhere on the the southern half of Garda for 3 nights (eg. Sirmione, Garda, Bardonlino). Excursion to Verona from there. Then 3 nights in Venice. If can only spend 2 days in Venice, then you could spend the one in Verona instead en route from Garda.