Airfares have just gotten too good, although they are changing daily, so we are heading back for our 10th trip. And possibly our last.

We plan to visit some areas we have never been before and end in Milan which we love where we have been 5 times but mainly to use as a base for day trips.

This trip will be all train and public transportation. Mobility issues have dictated some choices.

Sadly we have decided to bypass Venice. As much as we love it, it has become just too crowded.


Oct 12-20 7 days in Liguria at Hotel Monte Rosa in Chiaviari. Great half board rate and central for trips to CT and Genoa.

Oct 20-25 5 days in Turino. Time to explore the city and possible day trips to Alba and Stupinigi

Oct 25-29 4 nights in Aosta. A last chance to see the alps after many trips to the Dolomiti in Val Gardena. Possible day trip to Chamonix.

Oct 29-Nov 3 5 nights in Milano. We love the city and will use it as a base for day trips possibly to Mantua, Pavia, Bergamo, and Como/Bellagio.

Stephen
Some great places there and a nice pace.

I'm not familiar with Chiaviari, but if between Genova and CT, I do recall a recomendation of the afternoon/evening Passegiata in Recco, a town that perhaps might be otherwise bypassed.

A friend has just been to Valle d'Aosta (including one or two winery visits). He very much liked it, but no recco's I can give you.

Torino - As Milan sounds like it is to you, so Torino is to me. We've been a number of times and I've posted a few tips in the past here. Getting around is good via the trams & buses. We tended to get Giornaliero (24 hr) tickets for days where we were going to catch bus/trams rather than walking. The tickets IIRC worked out at about the cost of 3 singles. There are other options.

Although this may not sound appealing with reduced mobility, the underground counter-mines from sieges centuries ago are really interesting. The tours are the main part of the Museo Pietro Micca nr. Stazione Porta Susa.

Happy to give specific recommendations where I can (I've posted a few in the past as well here). Some highlights:
- Porticoed streets on a simple grid system
- Rambling gardens behind the Duomo off Piazza Castello
- Museo Egizio (a bit old-fashioned, but plenty of exhibits)
- Galleria Sabauda
- Museo della Montagna across the Po and up the hill
- Some really fine wine bars
- Historically important coffee bars, but also a very high local standard
- A Fine market nr. Porta Palatina, but also some interesting smaller and irregular markets
- Not too touristed (though I've notciced it slowly rise)
- Great restaurants (though our favourites always seem to shut!)
- Sublime chocolates
- Great food shopping (we tend to go apartment over hotel now)

n.b. Travel from Torino to Alba (outside of truffle season) isn't as easy as it could be. Logistically easiest is the bus that left about 10mins walk south of Porta Nuova train station to Alba (two different routes & companies IIRC - I think one was ATIbus but both were listed online). The alternative is the train, which requires a change, typically at Cavalmaggiore. Asti is much easier (on the Torino-Milano ES* route) but it does lack Alba's charm.

regards

Ian

Thanks Ian.

Actually the mobility thing is not that big and mainly refers to schlepping luggage up and down stairs.

The underground tour in Torino is very attractive.

I first heard about it when Katie Couric explored it on the Today Show during the Olympics.

I am really looking forward to finally getting to Torino. As with many other trip destinations I suspect we will spend much more time in the city rather than day trips.

Stephen
I forgot to mention a couple of other things:
- Turin Shroud (in the church between Piazza Castello and the market), which didn't do much for me, but others will se it as an essential stop.

- Parco Valentino + Borgo Mediovale. The former a good walking park leading to the latter a reproduction medieval castle/village which isn't as twee as it sounds.

- Lingotto for shopping and it's automotive heritage (plus more Italian Job scene spotting). We managed to sneak up onto the old rooftop test track, but I understand this is now only accessible via the hotel (thankyou maintenance staff!). The shopping is mall-like shopping, which isn't my thing, but can appeal to others.

Like you we often have some day trips lined up for visits, but generally don't do many (if any). However the ease of getting train tickets mean you can decide on the spur of the moment.

One year we'll head up towards Novara (wine) and Vercelli (Rice fields) though I remember an Italian's incredulity that we'd want to go to Vercelli!!! I do like off-beat locations though and they often present a warm, albeit intrigued welcome.

It's a good idea to see if the tabaccheria
(or tourist office) has an up to date map of the buses/trams, as ongoing building work has resulted in a lot of route changes.

I hope you enjoy it

regards

Ian

rkorchid,
This may help with Torino http://www.turismotorino.org/i...?id=512&navCmd=reset


Henry

Thanks, again Ian. I was curious about the Parco Valentino as we are staying fairly close by (directly across from the Porta Nuova). So that should be a pleasant walk for us.

Also to Pat and Henry as that is a website I did not have.

Stephen,

Chiavari is LOVELY! I spent many days of my youth there, taking after school trips when I lived in Bonassola (Go tehre if you have a chance because it is a little jewel). A few years ago I went to Chiavari where I organised and international workshop in psychiatric neuroimaging. We stayed at the Hotel Monte Rosa and everybody ahd a great time. If the owners ar the same, they may remember the workshop! There was a strike of the flight controllers and we had to poick up the spoeakers from all over Northern Italy :-| It was good fun though.

From Chiavari, take the boat and go to San Fruttuoso: it is a little corner of Paradise that you shouldn't miss. Off course Portofino is also on teh way and the boats that take you to San Fruttuoso, go also to portofino. Sometimes there are concerts in San Fruttuoso: you may want to ask.

Finally anotehr lovely village is Camogli and if you go there do not forget to try the "focaccia al formaggio". Although it is well known as "focaccia di Recco" I think that in Camogli it is eaven tastier.

Enjoy your trip and if you need further details or info don't hesitate to post a note again!

Do you love chocolate? On the www.turismotorino.org site, look for the three day Chocopass information on visiting about 22 chocolate shops, pastry shops, cafes to experience chocolate and dishes with chocolate for 12 Euros. Decadent! Heavenly!

The chocolate makers in Turin were in operation 400 hundred years ago and taught the Swiss chocolatiers their craft.

Buon appetito!

Here is the link for the Chocopass information. It does sound like a heavenly tour.

quote:

One year we'll head up towards Novara (wine) and Vercelli (Rice fields) though I remember an Italian's incredulity that we'd want to go to Vercelli!!!

There is more up there (it's north of here) than people think. Often Acquese say to me -- why do people want to come to Acqui Terme... all we have is food, wine, and hot water!! Italians!!