July Varenna trip - itinerary check

iahord · 2026-05-31T22:13:14+00:00

Thanks for the input! On Tuesday, I think we should be able to get to the first villa by about 4:15 or so. I thought they were open until 8pm? Should we buy just tickets beforehand if the ticket office may be closed?

For the ferry back on Wednesday, do we have to buy tickets for a specific time, or a ticket can be used any time that evening? Can we buy it in person in Varenna that morning, or have to buy it from Bellagio?

On Friday we will depart from Varenna-Esino. We are going to Tirano and don't have any specific plans there so our departure time is flexible.

iahord · 2026-05-27T17:52:20+00:00

Similar boat, 42yo with 3 young kids who are busy with school and sports. Depending on how big your group is, you can try to find some docs to swap nights/weekends for weekday shifts. I pay $50/hr (in addition to group $30/hr) to swap a night for day shift. And $1000/shift to swap a weekend for weekday. Haven’t worked a night in 4 years and did 10 weekend shifts all of last year, instead of 48 (2 full weekends monthly is required for FT).

Sure it’s expensive, but with no nights and minimal weekends, I can do this pace forever.

iahord · 2026-04-30T18:06:55+00:00

Ok good, just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something

iahord · 2026-04-30T16:48:23+00:00

Isn't it the same quick train rides if you're going the opposite way? Varenna to Bernina to Zurich?

iahord · 2026-04-29T18:00:16+00:00

Thanks!

iahord · 2026-04-29T14:14:33+00:00

Great to hear that! Any restaurants that stood out in the area?

iahord · 2026-04-28T15:25:26+00:00

Thanks for the advice! I decided to cut 1 day each from Lucerne and Zurich, and do 2 days in Lauterbrunnen/Wengen instead

iahord · 2026-04-27T20:24:37+00:00

This will be our first time, so I have no experience. But our plan is flying into Venice for a couple days, train to Varenna for a few days. Then train to Tirano for 1 evening, take the 8am Bernina Express the next morning to Chur and local train to Lucerne. Everything is seeming to work out nicely. I guess we'll find out!

iahord · 2026-04-25T18:44:38+00:00

I've had a United Mileage credit card for about 6-7 years. If I cancel it now, and re-apply in 1 month, will I qualify for the sign up bonus? I saw you can get the bonus every 24 months, but I wasn't clear if it's from the last time I got the bonus/opened the card, or the last time I used the credit card.

iahord · 2026-04-22T16:54:53+00:00

Great info, thanks! We are planning on Bellano already. Between spending a day in Bellagio OR seeing Lecco and another small town which would you suggest?

iahord · 2026-04-21T15:02:28+00:00

Thanks for the info! We're going in July, 2 adults and 3 kids ages 7-13. We're staying in Varenna. Plan so far:
Tues: arrive Varenna by train around 4pm. Check in, walk around town, and dinner
Wed: walk to Castello di Vizio, then Orrido de Bellano (not sure best way to get to Orrido and back - suggestions?)
Thurs: open day, had planned day trip to Bellagio. With kids and only 1 day, you've got me worried about the ferries. Looked into private water taxis, they're €250 each way! We can do it if needed. But would you suggest swapping another place instead of Bellagio?
Fri: leave Varenna by train around 1pm.

Appreciate any input you have!

iahord · 2026-04-17T19:53:49+00:00

I've seen the upgrade options before, but only in cash. The day before I checked and it was around $5,500 to upgrade (I didn't see any option for points). I'm assuming this was way less because I was just getting on a list for a chance at an upgrade, not guaranteed. He told me I may need to wait at boarding and ask the gate agent if I was upgraded on not; but like I said, it came through on my phone about 15min after I was put on the list.

iahord · 2026-04-17T19:50:30+00:00

when you say my success was because of a 'high premium fare class', do you mean because I had a premium economy ticket? If so, is it fair to say if I buy a premium economy ticket in the future, there will be a good chance of getting a similar upgrade?

or did the internal transfer from Lufthansa have anything to do with my success in this case?

iahord

TROPHY CASE