Transportation Marathon DFW to Italy

Our seemingly endless first travel day took us to gorgeous Varenna, Italy, nestled on the shore of Lake Como. We started before dawn to fly from DFW to La Guardia. However, our overnight flight to Milan left from a different NYC airport, JKF, requiring a taxi ride between the two airports AND a 6-hour layover before takeoff.

Then, surprise in Milan! Italian train workers are on strike! "Plan-ahead" Charlie had already advance-purchased train tickets from the airport to Central Milan, then to Varenna, 75 miles North. It took a few hours (along with everyone else) to take a bus from the airport to a metro stop, then the metro to the Central Train Station.

The train station was a hub of crowds and chaos, worsened for us because the Italians couldn't always understand our questions. And we couldn't always understand their answers. Bottom line, no trains were going to Varenna, and there was no bus service there either.

While Charlie investigated rental car options (none), I hung out at the taxi area, listening for anyone speaking English. Luckily, we were able to share a taxi with a lovely Dutch couple and were dropped off right at our apartment. By now, it was 3 PM, and we were exhausted and hungry. Surprise again! The grocery store and cafes close from 2 - 4 PM every day. Siesta time, I guess?

After getting settled, we got food and walked around the town before hitting the bed. Pictures below are of this stunning village clinging to cliffs before an azure lake.Read more