Brescia Travel Forum

Hi,

Oh my, I seem to be developing a reputation for side trips tagged onto work... does seem to be the only way to get a break these days.

I will be in northern Italy (brescia) for a work event and figure I'll go a little early (3 days early) so wondering if anyone has suggestions on where to spend my time?

I understand the Italian lake(s) are nearby (lake como of Oceans 12 fame is about the height of my knowledge). Loving the outdoors this sounds like it might be a nice area. Then again, we could spend the time in/around Venice? or ...?

As noted, like the outdoors, good food, nice architecture/pretty villages, etc. Not into Milan-style shopping.

Any suggestions would be really great.
Thanks,

Thanks Deidre,

It will be in just a few weeks - oct 1-3rd.

Lake Como sounds like our type of place - in terms of destination within - can you recommend where exactly might be a spot to head to, and could we get there from a flight into Milan, or would it be better to fly into a different place (coming from London) and then make our way to Brescia and fly out from around that area (Milan?)

Thanks very much for your help!

why don't you go to Lake Orta? I was there during last winter and it was beautiful...
Nietzsche used to have a house in the little island inside this beautiful lake..

We just went to Lake Como this summer and loved it! The way we went we took a train from Milan Stazione Centrale to Varenna (train actually goes to Tirano, off in Varenna - this is a little scenic train with some tunnel action). We did this to save some time as we were doing this in one day. I had read about the food in Alberco Olvedo in Varenna (see the VT pages) - and it is such a great place! Off the train just walk towards the boat ramp and you will run into Alberco Olivedo. If I go back there I won't ask for a menu ... will just ask Laura, the owner to pick my food. Everything was outstanding, including the wine and dessert. We then hiked around Varenna (see VT pages on Varenna). Next we took the boat to Bellagio. When we went it was so touristy we left, but some other VT'ers have assured me that later in the season it is good to give Bellagio a try - walk past the touristy side and do some recognizance. We ended our trip in Lake Como, unfortunately did not have much time there, but the have a great funicular and lots to see. We returned to Milan from Lake Como. There is a little station a couple of blocks away from the funicular that gets to Milan Cadorna - goes more thru industrial type places, but arrives fairly fast.

If I were to return, I'll probably stay in the Alberco to have breakfast and dinner there - such good food!

So, Milan to Varenna, Bellagio, Como works out great. One more thing, I would take the slower boats - the ride is very enjoyable and you can order drinks or coffee at the bar.

Enjoy your time in Italy! Regards,
Martha

Hi Martha,

Based on your suggested route do you think I could then go on to Brescia - as this is where I ultimately need to be, for work later in the week, so I need to make sure it all lines up to get there.

Thanks!

Hi Heather,

I checked the website and it looks like you can get from Milan to Brescia in one hour or less. I also checked from Varenna to Brescia, and from Como to Brescia and they both seem to go thru Milan.

Here's the Italy train link: http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

You can also check the map on Brescia from the Eurail page - Brescia is right close to Verona: http://downloads.raileurope.com/map_europe/italy.html

Also sending the link for the Metro in Milan - it's pretty easy to change to a different station is returning to Cadorna and leaving for Brescia from a different station if you need to: http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/mil/milano.htm

Hope this helps. Have a great time!

Martha

Hi Martha,
Thanks for these links. I'm busily trying to understand these sites and geta handle on the logistics. My partner needs to fly out of Bergamo on Tues at 10am so it's proving a bit difficult to understand the timetables et al to see where we could spend the night before and allow him to get to the airport in time. By the map, I'm thinking Lecco might provide the fastest link, though no idea yet what sort of town this is. Any suggestions much appreciated. Thanks for all this. Must have a look at Verenna on the VT site now. Thanks again.

Hi Heather,

I took a look at the Trenitalia site ( http://www.trenitalia.com/it/index.html ) and it looks like it takes about 45 minutes to get from Lecco to Bergamo. I had a colleague that lived in Lecco, and Deirdre, who answered VT earlier also lives in Lecco - it sounds like a lovely town but I have personally not been there. Maybe you could touch base with Deirdre. She has a

I hope you do check the Varenna VT site - there were a couple of places I missed but unfortunately I did not have time - I am looking forward to returning. I think I'll take a few minutes and post a couple of my Varenna pictures.

If you have a chance after you return, re post and let me know what you thought - I loved it, hope you do too! Especially the food at Alberco Olivedo!

Martha