Malpensa & Milan help

[chiaro di Luna]

I will look at Emilia Romagna towns. I don't want to go as far as Bologna, been there in Aug---a lot was closed up.
Parma, Modena will be new for me.

 

[chiaro di Luna]

Parma looks like a good base. What do you think? We would get a car for the week to do day trips to Modena etc. Hotel rates are reasonable.

 

[chiaro di Luna]

Checked off my list:
* airport hotel near Malpensa
* hotel Milan
* Venice hotel
*Parma hotel
* Varenna hotel

 

[jan]

For your last night, there is a Sheraton right at MXP. It is a lot nicer than the super-hip MOXY hotel by Marriott which is at Terminal 3.

And I just have to put in a good word for Verona-- we spent 8 days there in June and were just busy enough. There are beautiful churches and museums, great food, great shopping and, of course, the arena.

 

[chiaro di Luna]

For your last night, there is a Sheraton right at MXP. It is a lot nicer than the super-hip MOXY hotel by Marriott which is at Terminal 3.

And I just have to put in a good word for Verona-- we spent 8 days there in June and were just busy enough. There are beautiful churches and museums, great food, great shopping and, of course, the arena.

Thanks, I did look at the Sheraton and their rates are high for summer, but I will keep checking.
We will have a car and go to Verona. Parma seems to be 1-1 &1/2 hours of the towns I'd like to do as day trips.
I couldn't get any dates/prices to come up for the MOXYMarriott at terminal 2.

 

[jan]

Sorry--Terminal 2 is right.
You really don't want to stay there (MOXY) unless you are arriving after dinner and leaving early in the morning.

We spent a week in Parma about 8 or 9 years ago and have always wanted to go back. Really great spot.

 

[Pauline]

I just finished this memoir about living in Italy:

Not in a Tuscan Villa: During a year in Italy, a New Jersey couple discovers the true Dolce Vita when they trade rose-colored glasses for 3Ds
by John and Nancy Petralia

I enjoyed the book but felt they padded it out with long discussions of the art (I skimmed them). I liked the details they gave about how they organized their trip - rented out their US house, got visas, rented an apartment in Bologna site unseen and did not like it, moved to a better apartment in better (for them) town - Parma. I enjoyed reading about the details of their lives there and how it compared to how they lived in the US.

The husband and wife took turns writing, alternating chapters. Not sure how much I liked that. They both loved Italy and loved their time there. They also traveled a lot around Italy and give good descriptions of the places they visited.

They have a website.

My post from another thread about a recent memoir set in Parma.

 

[chiaro di Luna]

I'm happy with my choices; now to arrange ride to Varenna from MXP, car rental after Venice and later on train from Varenna to Milan; and Milan to Venice. Book Last Supper tickets and figure out day trips from Venice and from Parma.

 

[chiaro di Luna]

I am still looking for a car service to take me from Malpensa airport to my hotel in Varenna. Any suggestions? It will be this summer.

 

[Marcia]

What is your budget?; what I see for a private car transfer is in the €165-180 range.

 

[chiaro di Luna]

I think I will have to pay in that range. We do not want to drive on arrival, (did that last time there), and don't want to go to Milan first. What is car service name? Is there a link/website?
thanks

 

[Marcia]

Sorry, I do not have a car service to recommend, I just did some Googling to see what the options might be. There are several services online. Have you asked your Varenna hotel for a recommendation?

 

[Jim Zurer]

I have used Bellagio Taxi.....and found them very efficient and reliable. You can book online. You might mention my name....he may remember me.

Antonio
TAXI SERVICE NCC "Il Paraguay"
www.bellagiotaxi.com

 

[chiaro di Luna]

Thank you! Just what I was hoping for. I will get in touch with them shortly.

 

[chiaro di Luna]

Well, things have changed a lot. I' ve booked flights to shorten this trip to 2 weeks. No cruise from Italy to Canary Islands and Morocco or from Venice this year. I've decided to miss Lake Como, as well.
I will fly in to MXP, take Malpensa Express to Milan - 3 nights; train to Venice; 5 nights in Venice; Europcar rental from P. Roma Venice; Modena - 3 nights; Verona - 3 nights; return car at MXP.
Thanks for the help.

 

[jan]

You may want to look at my blog:
keepyourfeetinthestreet.com
We spent 8 days in Verona last June.
Also overnighted in Modena in 2014. Ate at Hostaria Giusti--totally worth it!

 

[chiaro di Luna]

Thanks Jan, I appreciate the help. I've finalized things now and will go with this: Milan 3 nights by Duomo, train tickets bought to Venice, waterbus/taxi to hotel between Rialto-San Marco for 5 nights, car to Modena for 2 nights, Verona 4 nights and back to MXP, for 1 night, return car.

 

[Callie]

We enjoy Verona and it has excellent train connections if you want make some day trips. Also like Bergamo, but not for more than a day or two.

 

[chiaro di Luna]

Thanks Callie. I have planned 4 days in that area. Just re checking my reservations and I will be off soon. Appreciate the help.