Several days in Milan worth it?
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Anonymous
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Organizing a hiking trip in the Alps this August and we usually go via Zurich or Munich, where we had friends. But this year I'm looking at flights and thinking we could fly into Milan and take the train up. It's only a few hours by train to the Berner Oberland. Is it worth spending a few days in Milan? I have faint memories of being in Milan as a teen before we rushed onward to Venice. I am aware of Milan's reputation as a boring city but a few minutes on Google earth shows me the center seems pleasant. We would be mostly interested in viewing old churches and palaces. Maybe a half day trip to Bergamo. Any thoughts appreciated.
If we go via Milan, other ideas for northern Italy are also appreciated. Our plan is one week hiking in the Berner Oberland, based around Murren and Lauterbrunnen and staying in a mix of hotels and mountain huts. Then go somewhere else for another three or so days of hiking, and then a city for a few days before flying out. Am open to ideas where the second part of the trip could be. The Italian Lakes? If so, which one? Guarda or Como? |
Anonymous
| I don’t recommend more than a day in Milan. Spend a day seeing the duomo and Last Supper and then take a train to Lake Como. I personally loved the town of Varenna. |
Anonymous
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I was in Milan for a few days for work and you can hit most of the highlights pretty quickly. I did really enjoy seeing the pencil draft of the School of Athens and Da Vinci's workbooks at the Biblioteca Ambrosiana. I also went to Verona for a day trip afterwars and it's super touristy but I had fun.
Lake Como is very different kind of vibe but very beautiful. |
Anonymous
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Milan itself? One day tops. But there's a lot of stuff around there.
See if you can squeeze in the Bernina Express somehow. |
Anonymous
| For a hiking trip to the Dolomites last summer, we spent a few days in Lake Garda and really enjoyed it-- much more relaxed vibe than Lake Como. We flew into Milan but due to timing constraints did not spend any time there. It seems worth a day. |
Anonymous
| We visited Milan for a couple days and it was fine, but really doesn’t measure up to other cities in Italy. Lake Como wasn’t my favorite either. Admittedly, we probably did it wrong- we did a day trip from Milan with throngs of other tourists. Maybe if we got off the beaten path, Como would have been more enjoyable. It is certainly beautiful, but the crowds detracted from the experience. |
Anonymous
Yes we stayed at the lake but not in one of the bigger towns. It was very nice, the worst part was the half day we took going to Bellagio- super crowded ferries and streets and shops packed to the gills. This was in early August so not really surprising. But absolutely one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. |
Anonymous
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Milan - one day.
How about stopover to Montreux first? Its gorgeous. |
Anonymous
The Bermina express route looks beautiful. We don't have plans to be in Tirano/St Moritz but are flying into Milan in late March and do have 1-2 free days to do things. Is it worth just taking the train round trip and stopping somewhere briefly along the way for lunch? Or just spend the time in Milan? |
Anonymous
Depends on how much you like scenic train rides! |
Anonymous
 Good point! I would love it but not sure our teen/pre teen boys will enjoy walking around Milan more than a long train ride!
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Anonymous
My teen son detests cities but he liked Milan- (we were there one day only) he loved the food too. |
Anonymous
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If you are going to the Bernese Oberlands there’s so much to do there then spending the time in Milan.
Check out along with Lauterbrunnen/ Murren , The First in Grindelwald and the sights in Interlaken. |
Anonymous
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No other countries want Americans
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Anonymous
| Please share favorite day trips from Milan. |