I have been no stranger to the European advantage of jet-setting from one country to another for a weekend or longer. I have lived in the UK for some part of my adult life and have made some good friends that have now followed their careers to different countries in Europe. One of these friends is Kate who works in the textiles industry and has lived in Como, Italy for a few years now. To put into context just how much Kate and I value each other I will tell you this: When I first moved to Oxford I landed on the Sunday and Kate flew in from Como on thursday, leaving directly after work, and left early morning on Monday. She helped me settle in and gave me a sense of familiarity and encouragement that is invaluable to me.
I then visited her in my spring break from Friday to Monday and I'm going to share with you my travel itinerary in this post, which will be followed up with a travel diary, a food diary and an outfit diary int he weeks to come. Lots to look forward to!
So I said that the Itinerary is for 3 days even though I was away for 4, but I lost one day in travel so that is why I have boiled it down!
3 Day Itinerary for Como & Milan:
Day 1
1. Took 6:30 am bus from Oxford to Stanstead airport for 12:40 pm flight to Milano Bergamo arriving at 3:40 pm local time.
2. Took the Terravision bus from Milano Bergamo to the Milano centrale railway station
3. Waited for Kate at the McDonalds; we met and shared some fries
4. Took the train from Milan to Como
5. Got in around dinner time, watched the sunset on lake Como and went for dinner at Napule è Lago
2. Took the Terravision bus from Milano Bergamo to the Milano centrale railway station
3. Waited for Kate at the McDonalds; we met and shared some fries
4. Took the train from Milan to Como
5. Got in around dinner time, watched the sunset on lake Como and went for dinner at Napule è Lago
Day 2
1. Took the morning train to Milan
2. Went to Castello Sforzesco
3. Strolled, shopped and had tea
4. Went up Milan Cathedral for a view of Piazza del Duomo
5. Went inside Milan Cathedral
6. Lined up for Luini's panzerotti [so worth it!]
7. Visited Roman Palace ruins and Museo Civico Archeologico
8. Caught train back to Como
9. Had pastries at Pasticceria Capriccio di Como
10. Took the Funicolare up to Brunate while the sun set
11. Had dinner in Brunate [yummy mountain food] while watching the sunset on Lake Como with Switzerland in the distance
12. Had dessert back in Como at Cioccolati Italiani
3. Strolled, shopped and had tea
4. Went up Milan Cathedral for a view of Piazza del Duomo
5. Went inside Milan Cathedral
6. Lined up for Luini's panzerotti [so worth it!]
7. Visited Roman Palace ruins and Museo Civico Archeologico
8. Caught train back to Como
9. Had pastries at Pasticceria Capriccio di Como
10. Took the Funicolare up to Brunate while the sun set
11. Had dinner in Brunate [yummy mountain food] while watching the sunset on Lake Como with Switzerland in the distance
12. Had dessert back in Como at Cioccolati Italiani
Day 3
1. Took the ferry to Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo
2. Had lunch looking out to the Bellagio peninsula
3. Walked the gardens and visited the museum of Villa Carlotta
4. Caught a boat to Bellagio
5. Walked around Bellagio and had excellent gelato
6. Took the bus back to Como
7. Had Aperitvo in Como
8. Walked on the promenade of the Lake as the sun set
9. Had a late dinner at Napule è lago [because we loved it that much to go again!]
10. Packed for my long journey back [2 trains, a bus, a plane and another 4 hour long bus ride back to oxford--but it was all worth it!]
There were some things that we simply didn't have the time to do, but I feel for the amount of time that we had we did really well and actually did majority of the key things in Milan and in and around Lake Como! Hope this helps anyone planning a trip for this area!
2. Had lunch looking out to the Bellagio peninsula
3. Walked the gardens and visited the museum of Villa Carlotta
4. Caught a boat to Bellagio
5. Walked around Bellagio and had excellent gelato
6. Took the bus back to Como
7. Had Aperitvo in Como
8. Walked on the promenade of the Lake as the sun set
9. Had a late dinner at Napule è lago [because we loved it that much to go again!]
10. Packed for my long journey back [2 trains, a bus, a plane and another 4 hour long bus ride back to oxford--but it was all worth it!]
There were some things that we simply didn't have the time to do, but I feel for the amount of time that we had we did really well and actually did majority of the key things in Milan and in and around Lake Como! Hope this helps anyone planning a trip for this area!
What a fun trip - and that gazebo seems like a perfect spot to relax and reflect. I love finds like these where I can read!
ReplyDeleteLove the views and looks like you had a great time! Take me with you next go round :)
ReplyDeletexx,
Marie
http://www.livriot.blogspot.com
http://www.livriot.blogspot.com
http://www.cheappatagonia.com/
ReplyDeleteWow, I've followed you for a while and this post really struck me. I'm such a big fan of yours.
ReplyDeleteThis is great,i like it
http://www.barbouroutletonlineue.com/
Nice post, and photos looks amazing
ReplyDeletexx
http://www.missydress.it
OMG this looks so epic!
ReplyDeleteJabeen x
http://www.spilling-the-beans.co.uk/
Your photos are gorgeous! My husband and I were just in Italy and spent a night in Milan before heading further south. Wish we had spent more time near Lake Como!
ReplyDeletexo Jen
Skirt The Rules
It sounds like you had a lot of fun! Looks like you got to do quite a few things on your trip.
ReplyDeleteMolly and Stacie
Great post and site! I found you on FB GYB page. Let me know if you’d like to collaborate, be a guest writer with links back to your blog (or vice versa), or get together to do a giveaway with some other bloggers, just support each other in some way. My site is http://www.4hourbodygirl.com.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Heather
I'm such a big fan of yours.
ReplyDeleteYou have a very beautiful blog, very stylish and great pictures? Did you have time to have one of those gigantic pizza in Como? (We did: http://bestiessharingbites.com/woman-versus-pizza-in-como-italy/) ;-)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds amazing! Love your photos!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I traveled to Italy this past April! Such a beautiful country. We didn't make it to Como or Milan but hopefully next time!
ReplyDeleteReally nice photos. I would love to travel.
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous! Your trip sounds so lovely. Your photos are beautiful. Such stunning views.
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous! I want to go to Italy so bad and these photos are just stunning! I would love to try out this itinerary!
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Annie
http://www.somethingswellblog.com/
A great post. I have been to many cities in Italy including Milan. Lovely place to spend time.
ReplyDeleteFatima | www.blogsbyfa.com
What an awesome lists of things to see and do while in Italy! Love the pictures! :)
ReplyDeleteUrsula
www.blueridgebeautyblogger.com