1 week in Northern Italy

Slipshaney

Hi guys - going to Italy end of May, flying in Bergamo and renting a car.

Just looking for advice on where we should go/see?

We want to get Lake Garda, Verona and Venice into the mix - but would welcome any suggestions

Thanks

ardmacha

If you are going to rent a car, then go to small places, drive around the lake/mountains etc. No particular point in having a car to visit Verona or Venice which can be visited by train with less hassle.

Slipshaney

Thanks for that.....looking to go to a Venice for a day, on the train from Verona...just wondering if there is safe parking at the train station ?

Glowing

Lake Como is absolutely stunning!

Slipshaney

any recommendations on where to stay there?

Glowing wrote: »

Lake Como is absolutely stunning!

Technique

Slipshaney wrote: »

any recommendations on where to stay there?

Stayed in Bellagio for a few days. Absolutely stunning- like a movie set!

Stayed here:

http://www.bellagioanticopozzo.eu/

Glowing

Technique wrote: »

Stayed in Bellagio for a few days. Absolutely stunning- like a movie set!

Stayed here:

http://www.bellagioanticopozzo.eu/

Varena is gorgeous, and Villa Cipressi is amazing if its in your budget! Views to die for!

http://www.hotelvillacipressi.it

Lapin

Slipshaney wrote: »

any recommendations on where to stay there?

I didn't stay in Como but its easily done by day trip from Milan.

Well worth the trip. The funicular railway up the mountain offers stunning views of the lake.

The town is located next to Chiaso in Switzerland and handy for nipping over the border to buy some Swiss goddies !

Slipshaney

thanks for everything guys - so far the plan is as follows:

Spend 4/5 days in either Sirmione or Bardolini, with day trips to Verona and Venice

Then looking to spend the last few days in and around Lake Como...and return to Bergamo

any thoughts ?

Technique

Bergamo itself is a charming town, with an ancient old town overlooking a more modern town below.

Definitely worth a night's stay if you've got an early flight home.

Don't discount a night in Milan, either. It's not the prettiest city in Italy, but the Duomo and surrounds are worth a visit, and there's lots of good shopping and eating.

Daisy M

I doubt you will ever get as much information from anyone re Lake Garda than you will from this thread. If you have kids there is Gardaland theme park, waterpark and movie land. But make sure you take a look at this guys trip report.

http://www.tripadvisor.ie/ShowTopic-g187838-i641-k4551560-Lake_Garda_Trip_report_with_Photo_s-Lake_Garda_Lombardy.html

Slipshaney

hey guys - ok so ive booked a hotel in sirmione and will base ourselves there for a few nights....ill try and travel all around the lake while Im there, but just wondering what towns I MUST visit? I have Riva, Bardolino and Malcesine on the maps so far..........

mickyellow

I know the Lake Como very well. My recommendations for staying in the town itself would be the Hotel Metropole Swise. It's right on the main square and there is garage parking for your car.

http://www.hotelmetropolesuisse.com/index.php

Not much in the town of Como itself (can be seen in a day). Plenty of options of taxi ferrys (beside the square) to towns like Belaggio, Lenno etc. Lugano (Switzerland) is only a 20 min drive from Como and is a nice place to spend an afternoon.

The town of Cernobbio is only 5km up the lake from Como. This is where the upper-classes of Milan have their holiday homes and many of the footballers have their villas. Some great restaurants here. I have stayed in the Asnigo Hotel a number of times. On the upper limit of a budget but the views are stunning.

http://hotelcomolakecernobbio.it/

Driving between Bergamo and Como is very easy. Mainly country roads (single lane road) all the way. you pass through some stunning country-side on the way.

I'm surprised more people don't spend time in Bergamo. Lovely old town on the top of the hill and worth spending a night here before your flight.

Slipshaney

Thanks Micky, sounds great. Im not sure if we will get to Bergamo..maybe next time