Turin, Modena or Milan ?

[Sidebeforeself]

Im looking for places to visit after Rome and would be interested in views on these options. Wed be travelling by train. Ive seen very little of Italy so options are open, but Ive heard that Milan isn’t very attractive as a tourist destination. Would love to hear peoples views. We like wandering around, but not interested in going into churches ! Don’t need to be entertained but I do like nice surroundings e.g. Old Town Rhodes etc so not interested in a modern city vibe.

I’ve visited Modena 2 weeks ago! Lovely historic little town and we liked the Enzo Ferrari museum as well. But it is relatively small, it is not a destination on it’s own. More like a stop on a roadtrip. In 2 days you’ve seen it all. You could combine it with Bologna or Parma?

I didn’t visit Milan or Turin recently, but I really liked Turin when we visited 15 years ago. Why don’t you like Milan? Too many tourists? Too hot?
Maybe look into Genua, also very nice city to stroll around.

Must it be a city? One of the lakes might be a nice contrast to Rome.

It needs to be on a main train line really. I have never been to Milan so don’t have anything against it as such just heard it’s not that attractive. @DutchCowgirl Modena sounds lovely. Yes it’s just a little stop over that Im after. We are going to Rome for w few days then want to work our way back to UK via rail.

Absolutely prepared to be wrong about Milan by the way!

Go to Bergamo.

Modena is gorgeous but a bit of a waste if you don't want to visit Churches. Milan has great galleries. Turin is surprisingly beautiful and a fun place. I'd go for Turin.

How long are you planning to stay in the stopover place?

One or two nights ..Hoping to do two stops if possible so if people have other suggestions I’d be really grateful!

Ooh ..just done a quick Google - Bergamo looks fab!

Milan is fabulous, but it is a more 'modern' place, as in no lovely old town. It's very characterful, and the food is fantastic.

I'd go to Venice though!

Ah, now I have been to Venice . Absolutely loved in but not looking to go back this time

Should also have said Ive been to Florence and Sienna. Im trying to go to places Ive never visited before as its a bit of a treat

It's perfect for a couple of nights.

Naples! With day trips to the Amalfi coast and Pompei.
Visited both Turn and Milan this year.
I enjoyed Turin - it had a smaller city vibe and the Piedmontese? Food was interesting.
Milan was fun. I did an amazing thrift shopping tour there. There's the cathedral and the park with the castle.

How about Lucca?

Or Verona?

Yes to Bergamo. Also Como on lake Como.

We have stayed overnight in Turin many times on our way to Italy by train. We were surprised at how nice it was and now we've been a few times, it really is part of the holiday!

Having said that, there is currently a landslide being repaired on the trainline between Turin and Paris and the line is not likely to reopen before Spring 2025, so we haven't been that way for a while. We would currently have to travel through Switzerland (via Milan, so Turin is no longer en route) and it adds a couple of hours to the journey, which is flipping annoying!

Don't go to verona it's not great. There's a balcony and the food is great. That's it.

Mainline via Milan, then to Como - beautiful, then onto Lugano and on home from there....

I used to live in Verona, it's an amazing place with loads to see but it's in the wrong direction for this journey really. I agree with previous posters, Bergamo is just lovely.

That made me laugh!
Ive been to Lucca ( I realise I said I haven’t travelled much in Italy and then keep saying Ive been places! But I haven’t really it was one day here and there ) @Janek I like the sound of your route though!

@GrimDamnFanjo Naples is in the wrong direction though?

Yes! I misread and thought you were looking for alternatives anywhere!
I've been to Naples six times and am going back next year.
Visited Venice and San Gimignano several times.
I wouldn't return to Turin but possibly Milan.
I think I'd like to spend time in the Lakes though.

@GrimDamnFanjo The Lakes are beautiful and they are all different. I know Como the best, lots of interesting villages to explore and Como itself is small but interesting. Maggiore has the most gorgeous gardens (Isola Bella) and flowers - verbena standards anyone?