BRIAN 1

Hi,we drove back to UK last week via Orvieto,Lugano and Thionville,staying overnight in each.We are driving back in mid Feb.Sorted out a nice town in the Alsace and also a stop in Frascati.We just need a stop inbetween,Swiss was a bit expensive and Como a bit limited for parking.Can anyone recommend a nice town or city south of Milan with a historical centre and a hotel within walking distance and easy parking?Cheers,Brian.

philat98

Mantova has plenty of things to see. Stay at the B&B Hotel Mantova that is not far from the motorway and just across the lake from the centre.

BRIAN 1

Hi,that's too far east.We will be on the E35 all the way down.Thanks anyway,cheers,Brian.

heritagestanley

Pavia is wonderful. Can't recommend a city centre hotel because we stayed near the Certosa di Pavia (must see!)

HADENOUGHPIZZA

Lodi ? Parma ? Modena ?

BRIAN 1

Thanks guys,I shall google each of those towns and decide.Its just evening out the 4 legs of the trip,cheers,Brian.

Mincepie

Parma, an hour and a half south of Milan. Lovely centre, lovely food. Go for an evening stroll in Via Farini for a glass of wine, stay in the "Savoy" hotel which is central. Not too expensive, clean - small rooms. But good for a night.
Other than the Duomo, the Battistero and the main Piazza, Parma's also got a fantastic river: Il Parma that runs through town and that makes for a lovely walk too.
And of course there's plenty more...!

BRIAN 1

And the winner is-drumroll-Lodi.Cheers,Brian.

HADENOUGHPIZZA

FANTASTIC RIVER ?????

Lorna at Vicenza

It isn't? Never been so just asking.

Mincepie

Running along the pavement that's runs the length of the "Torrente Parma" has cheered me up a number of times. I owe it a lot.

"River" admittedly is perhaps a 'generous' a term... but 'Torrente' (Stream?) just seemed to belittle it slightly. Even when it's completely dry

I love that river/stream/waterway

HADENOUGHPIZZA

I'll admit to it being quite beautiful in the spring when there are even deer to be seen in the evenings

BRIAN 1

Hi,yes Parma was appealing,but the main concern was keeping the 4 legs to around 6hrs.We used to do 3 8hr legs but getting older now and would rather chill out at each stop.Merry Christmas everyone,cheers,brian.

Accetturese

Stopped at Lodi once, nice converted farmhouse and a reasonable pizzeria a short drive away but didn't go into town. Modena is lovely, there is a place right in the centre square that does an all you can eat buffet for only a few euros a head.