Your Name (required) A good way to see all three on your own schedule is on a Lake Maggiore Isola Bella Hop-On Hop-Off Ferry Tour from Stresa, spending as much time exploring the palace and gardens as you like. One of the best ways to have the fullest experience is to take an organized tour of the region from Milan. Your email address will not be published. Arriving from Milan to Lake Como, you will be taken aback by just how picturesque this lake is and how charming this lakeside city is. There are many things to do in Bergamo and it is truly the perfect day trip from Milan. There's free time to explore Monterosso and Manarola, have lunch in your choice of local restaurants, or to take a walk on the coastal path for even more breathtaking views. Genoa is a maze of historic alleyways and squares that spread out from the ancient harbor located in the city center. Your private guide will share the history, traditions, and curiosities of the city. As you walk around the city, you will quickly notice the size of the houses in the area. As you explore the streets, you will discover many other remarkable buildings, each containing its own secrets. ), 17 Best National Parks to Visit in September (+ Fall Tips! Sacro Monte di Varese is located in the Campo Dei Fiori regional park and consists of 17th-century chapels along a holy road and it is one of nine similar sites throughout the region. Within the city itself, you have many stunning villas and an impressive old town with interesting clock towers that range from old ones to ones built during Italys darker years under Mussolini. Designed as the mausoleum for Milan's ruling Visconti family (you can see the magnificent tomb of the founder, Gian Galeazzo Visconti), it used many of the same artists and architects that created Milan's Duomo. To return back up you can always take a short ride up on the city funicular. This elegant city of broad avenues and piazzas lined by arcades is a pleasure just to stroll around, but the sightseeing opportunities include a sumptuous Royal Palace, a heart-stopping ride in a glass elevator to the top of The Mole for views of the snowcapped Savoy Alps, and one of the world's foremost collections of Egyptian antiquities. That's a shame because Brescia is only an hour from Milan by train (half that on a fast train) and has the finest collection of Roman remains in northern Europe. This tasty, cured pork ham is one of the worlds finest and is a must-try. The fact that Como was once a major center for silk production makes shopping for silk neckties, scarves, and clothing one of the most popular things to do here. The UNESCO site is concentrated in the town center, the Roman public houses are very well preserved and parts are comparable to the levels of preservation seen in Pompeii and Herculaneum. For suggestions of other places to visit, see our page on the top things to do in Italy. The tour will begin with your private driver collecting you from your hotel in Milan (another custom location in the area can be agreed) with a luxury sedan or minivan, and after 1.5H drive you will reach Turin, a majestic and royal city located in Piedmont between the Pianura Padana and the Alps. ), 15 Cozy Things to Do in Helsinki in Winter (+ Seasonal Tips! The 14-hour trip includes a guided walking tour and a visit to a glass-blowing workshop, along with plenty of free time to sample Venetian restaurants and take an optional gondola ride. The tradition of the Sacro Monte is unique to Italy's northern Piedmont and Lombardy, and Varese's joins eight other hillside pilgrimage sites on the UNESCO World Heritage list. solosophie There are plenty of places to eat around the city so you will not go hungry and much of the food is really delicious. Take advantage of Milans close proximity to Switzerland by taking an awesome day trip to stunning Lugano, just over the border in Switzerland. From Como itself, you can only see a small portion of the lake, which is oddly shaped, kind of like a person running. Both are delicious, albeit very different. There is more to Italys cuisine than just taking a Milan food tour or enjoying pizza in Naples. A few streets away, the riverside castle has been brilliantly repurposed into an art museum, with fine views of the castellated bridge below. There is plenty of time to explore Sirmione and its castle before the coach ride back to Milan. RESERVE On the guided Swiss Alps Bernina Express Rail Tour from Milan, you can travel by coach to board the train in Tirano, with time to explore not only that Alpine town but chic St. Moritz as well. There are so many wonderful towns and cities that make for ideal Milan day trips. turin You can customize your tour according to your needs and preferences, our staff would be happy to inform you about different options, alternative routes and sites. This is no ordinary museum, and you won't be sharing the experience or the rest of the attractions in Brescia with a lot of other tourists. Varese is not a town on many peoples radar and its one of the best, The UNESCO site is concentrated in the town center, the Roman public houses are very well preserved and parts are comparable to the levels of preservation seen in Pompeii and, 10 Unmissable and Gorgeous Day Trips from Milan, Italy. The tour will begin with your private driver collecting you from your hotel in Milan (another custom location in the area can be agreed) with a luxury sedan or minivan, and after 1.5H drive you will reach Turin, a majestic and royal city located in Piedmont between the Pianura Padana and the Alps. Throughout the rest of the city, you will find grandiose squares like Piazza della Loggia, where several of the facades of the buildings are decorated by Roman-era tombstones. Varese also has a beautiful lake situated slightly west of the city and its the perfect place to relax for a while and enjoy the good weather in summer. One of the favorite things to do on Lake Maggiore, north of Milan, is island hopping among the three islands near the holiday town of Stresa. Your Email (required) The main station stops in the center of the city where you can hunt out many of the cities famous buildings and museums. That one was itself a reconstruction of the original Roman bridge. You mention a city to visit via funicular when in Como. On the edge of the town, the foothills of the Alps begin and you can relax in the forests that overlook the town and provide jaw-dropping panoramic views over the city. As you walk around the city, you will be taken back through time in Italy and see the many influences that have led to the creation of an enthralling city. The train departs from Milan Central Station and takes you directly to the city center. Your privateguide will give you suggestions along the way for local cuisine and restaurants, and of course, if you are a chocolate enthusiast, will be more than happy to suggest you some shop where you can buy top quality Piedmont chocolate, like the typical Gianduiotto. Varese is easily reachable by train from Milano Porta Garibaldi station and the journey takes around an hour and costs about 7. See Via Po and its marvelous arcades, with plenty of bookstores, cafes, and artisans. solosophie As you explore the streets and passageways, take time to stop and enjoy the impressive array of food that is available. Alternatively, you can cool off from the Mediterranean heat with a cooling gelato. Brescia is one of the most interesting cities in northern Italy, with an impressive history dating back over 3000 years. The regions specialties include delicious rabbit dishes, polenta, and amazing meat-filled pasta called casoncelli, which is served with a butter and sage sauce and little bits of bacon. Milan's position in Western Lombardy puts it within easy reach of several rewarding day trip destinations. As you explore the streets, look out for Pon Lapidis and an ancient bridge dating back to the time of Augustus rule of the Roman empire. There are also many churches throughout Parma ranging from Gothic churches to more Baroque styles, each with its own history and characteristics along with impressive frescos and ornate facades. Several of the top sights are an easy walk from the train station: Piazza del Duomo, with the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Baptistery; Santa Maria Novella; Michelangelo's magnificent Medici tombs in San Lorenzo; Piazza della Signoria; and the Palazzo Vecchio. As you walk west along the shore of the lake, you can watch seaplanes take off and land. Click here to see rates and availability for the tour to Genoa. The five villages of this UNESCO-listed region sit on a steep, cliff-lined shore south of Genoa, and after a scenic coach ride along the Mediterranean coast, you'll travel between them by boat and train. turin To see the remaining medieval watch towers, head for Piazza di Leonardo di Vinci, where there are several. italian turin train easiest ways On the shores of the lake, you will find lovely parks and beaches where you can enjoy the summer sunshine while lounging around or walking along the trails. Located to the southeast of Milan, this deliciously-named city is the perfect place to head to try some of the worlds most famous cheese and hams. The streets are narrow with many of the sidewalks being covered and feeling very grand. To honor these amazing Milan day trips made possible by a network of trains that people that arent deprived of public transportation (Americans) complain about, I have put together a list of 10 wonderful day trips from Milan. The two-hour guided walking tour of Verona is highlighted by visits to the Roman arena and the house commemorating the story of Romeo and Juliet. Prestige Tour Italy is a trading brand of Prestige Car Limousine Snc & Equatoriale di Lemar Srl - Licensed Tour Operator & Travel Agency N. 46753 12/08/1998. In addition, a two-hour train journey might set you back a mere 12.45. Within a few minutes' walk of the landings are beautiful gardens and villas, art-filled churches, and narrow lanes of smart shops. milan solosophie The city of Lugano is located just north of the Italian border in the Italian-speaking area of Switzerland. The height of the buildings makes it impossible to see what is coming up next and you just have this anticipation that every corner is going to bring something different. There are plenty of villas and grand houses with large green gardens close to the main central location. There is more to Italys cuisine than just taking a, I will keep the locations diverse, from alpine lakes to coastal cities so that there is something for every type of traveler. You will meet your official local guide and start a 3H walking tourin the charming center of Turinstarting with Piazza San Carlo, filled with historic cafes where celebrities, artists, and writing like to meet. In two and a half hours, you'll cross 196 bridges, go through 55 tunnels, and cross breathtaking gorges as you climb the Bernina Pass and descend into Switzerland. turin milan tickets train There are quicker trains with Frecciossa albeit, they are more costly. There are also plenty of shops, cafes, and bistros where you can relax and enjoy the Swiss way of life (and cry about Swiss prices). The latter church is sumptuous inside and out, with Gothic entrance porches, Baroque stucco work, and beautiful Renaissance choir stalls. I will certainly make an effort to visit next time I take a Milan day trip. The depth of the lake gives it an amazing deep blue color that perfectly contrasts the lush green hillsides of the mountains the surround it. There are also plenty of shops, cafes, and bistros where you can relax and enjoy the Swiss way of life (and cry about Swiss prices). Explore the Ancient Roman Quadrilateral district where the city walls and gate still stand. Opposite the chapel is an unusual octagonal Baptistery dating from 1340. I will keep the locations diverse, from alpine lakes to coastal cities so that there is something for every type of traveler. turin italy dream explore travel dreamofitaly You can combine a guided walking tour of the town of Como with a scenic lake cruise on the nine-hour Lake Como Day Trip from Milan. It has a long history of over 2000 years and is home to one of the worlds oldest universities. The colorful villages ooze charm, and although they are clearly not undiscovered, they still look much as they did before they became one of the most popular destinations in Italy. While I havent personally been to Genoa, Aram has and really has nothing but positive things to say about the Italian city. If cheese is your thing, you can also purchase from a cheese shop a hefty wheel of Bergamo cheese for around 4 euros. There are old stunning example of medieval architecture, but in that mix is a vibrant, youthful undercurrent of hip and cool shops and cafes. On the southern end of the lake is the impressive town of Sirmione. Instead of placing a letter, people now touch the statue of Juliet. This has led to Varese retaining its local charm and its secret gems hidden. If you are looking for a city that is a different pace from Milan, then Turin is your city. Where to Go from Milan: Italy shares both Lake Maggiore and the smaller Lake Lugano with Switzerland, and this Swiss region known as the Ticino is an appealing blend of Swiss and Italian cultures. Tour Name Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and it is undeniably beautiful. For a change of scenery, head to the seaside city of Genoa where you can enjoy the relaxing vibes of the Mediterranean. The Italian train network is fast and efficient which is ideal for day trips. Tour Name Next to it is the 3rd-century Teatro Romano. The main site of Varese is located a mile or so above Varese in the hills, a UNESCO world heritage site called Sacro Monte di Varese. Winter sports enthusiasts will find Milan a perfect base for reaching Italy's top ski resorts, as it is close to the Dolomites, the Savoy Alps, and Europe's highest Alpine peaks along the Italian/French border. Your privateguide will give you suggestions along the way for local cuisine and restaurants, and of course, if you are a chocolate enthusiast, will be more than happy to suggest you some shop where you can buy top quality Piedmont chocolate, like the typical Gianduiotto. To maximize time, I recommend taking the hydrofoil on the way back as you will have enjoyed the scenery on the way there. Click here to inquire about rates and availability for the tour. As you lose yourself in the city center, you will find that there are plenty of hidden gems around each corner from impressive, Baroque style castles to grand churches and medieval gates. In the center of the historic district stands one of Italy's best-preserved Roman arenas, the site of a major summer opera festival. For those wanting to do some water-based activities, the lake is well known for its rowing and canoeing having hosted several world championship racing events for the sports. There are several Roman gates and subterranean excavations from the same period to explore, but few of Verona's attractions get as many tourists as Juliet's house and balcony. Below are some of the top tours, hotels, and more! The "Little Red Train" has wide vista windows for full views and good photography from every seat. But the highlight of Brescia's Roman treasures is the Civici Musei d'Arte e Storia Santa Giulia, a complex that includes an original Roman villa and other homes with stunning mosaic floors. Just 35 miles north of Milan, this sleepy little town punches above its weight in the perfect day trip from Milan category. There are also plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants in the area. Split into two sections, the city of Bergamo has an impressive old town (Citt Alta) that is perched on the top of a hill while the newer modern town is at the foot of the hill. End your tour in Piazza Vittorio by the river Po with a fantastic view. In only 1.25 hours from Milan by train, you can spend a day in the city that the Dukes of Savoy designed as the Paris of the South. If art is on your agenda, you can add a skip-the-line admission ticket to the fabled Uffizi Gallery to this tour package. Lake Como is world-renowned for its stunning beauty and the fact that its a playground for the rich and famous. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. Within the lake itself, there are several islands varying in size, some of which have partially inhabited over history and are now home to grand villas and religious buildings with fascinating stories of their history. At the end of the day, the tour will conclude and your private driver will take you back to your hotel in Milan or other desired location. One of the prettiest towns on Como is Bellagio, set at the tip of a peninsula that divides southern Lake Como into two long arms. If you arrive by train into the town, the walk down to the lakeshore is gorgeous although a bit steep in places. Milan is perfectly situated to explore some of the most wonderful places in Northern Italy within a day. DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION: Your hotel in Milan area (a different location may be agreed)DEPARTURE TIME: Suggested departure from 8:00am to 9:30amDURATION: 8 hrsINCLUDED: English speaking driver, Fully equipped Mercedes Benz vehicle, WI-FI on board, Private GuideNOT INCLUDED: Food & Drinks, Entrance TicketsLANGUAGES: English - Italian There are large snow-capped mountains, impressive alpine lakes, and gorgeous coastal cities that lie on the Mediterranean Sea with colorful harbors. The train runs year-round, and the views are equally good in summer or winter. The monastery complex is home to some of Italys finest treasures and most impressive structures. Originally starting off life as its own republic with enormous amounts of wealth from establishing trade routes, the Republic of Genoa is also the birthplace of one of the most famous sea explorers, Christopher Columbus. The food in Bergamo is brilliant and I highly recommend spending some time eating regional dishes while you are there. You can customize your tour according to your needs and preferences, our staff would be happy to inform you about different options, alternative routes and sites. After exploring the towns deep history, I highly recommend going to one of the towns spas to enjoy a thermal bath. You can escape to Milan so easily. On a steep hill, directly above the tidy street grid of new Bergamo, the old city is a tangle of narrow, stone-paved streets lined by buildings dating to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Venice: Best Areas & Hotels, Read More: From Milan to Venice: Best Ways to Get There.