swagman

Hi all

I am planning a trip to Italy in the first week in July this year with my better half. Whilst booking our flights today, my travel agent advised there is a new route whereby we can fly direct to Milan. I thought of Lake Como as a possibility straight away which we have not been.

We have been to Rome previously, on a European bus tour though, so it wasn't an in depth visit. Rome would be an easy option for us, fly straight in and then fly straight out. We won't have a car and don't really need one. We plan to join day tour to Pompeii.

We are easy travellers. We can do museums and historical sites and we are happy just to admire the pristine view of Lake Como. We understand the 2 places are different and it will just be a different kind of holiday.

We only have 7 nights, where would you rather be? Can we do both? If we do so, will we waste too much time in transit?

s

dreamon

As you say, they will be entirely different holiday experiences so it's really up to you as to which will give you the most pleasure.

For a relaxing holiday, I would spend the 7 days around either but not attempt to see both. Personally, I would prefer to holiday around Lake Como, as I prefer country to city. Lake Como is pretty and relaxing, although I imagine it will be very busy in July.

If you do decide to visit both, fly into Milan and out of Rome or vice-versa.

I'm not sure that this has been particularly helpful but they are such different places.

Judy

I would choose Lake Como in July, fearing that Rome might be really hot.

Dukey

I love Lake Como but if I had time and could also spend several days in Rome, or Florence, or Venice, I would not spend an entire week at the lake.

Now, this isn't to say there isn't PLENTY to see and do there, especially if you are inclined to get one of the boat passes and spend your time at thew various villas, gardens, etc.

It CAN BE a very relaxing place especially if you do NOT allow yourself to get too caught up in this board's usual long and sometimes drawn out "controversy" about exactly where to stay:

Varenna: dead at night and not as "chic" as Bellagio; Bellagio: jammed with visitors but for good reason
Menaggio: who actually stays THERE (a lot of smart people, that's who) and on and on and on....

The lake is wonderful and you are right, entirely different than any of the cities so in a way a hard choice. Good luck.

alihutch

I'd be tempted to try and do both, with a train journey to get from one to the other...you can get from Como town to Rome in about 4.5 hours....(mind you, would do Rome first and the lake second....

We always stay here on Lake Como

http://www.lakecomoapartment.com

but you need to be happy to walk down to the apartment from the road, but makes it amazingly quiet though....

schnauzer

I have another vote for Lake Como, just gorgeous. Rome at that time of year - too crowded, too hot etc. Maybe think of staying at two places around the lake but with very different things to offer. Still in the same region but investigating a bit further afield. I know many like the Swiss side of the lake area and they may offer some more suggestions. I loved Varenna.

Schnauzer

bobthenavigator

Combine Como with Milan for contrast---2 and 5.

Big_Red

Swagman,

Where are you flying out of?

Lake Como and Venice are a good pairing, so you might think about that.

I have been to Lake Como several times, but with seven nights I would do Lake Como and another destination. Rome is a good for another destination. Venice is good for some, it depends on the conevenience of the flight home.

TDudette

For that time of year, I vote Como also. In addition to Milan (magnificent Duomo), you can take a day trip to the city of Como while you are there. There was an article in "Smithsonian" mag about the silk trade there-if you or your mate has interest in textiles.

swagman

Ok, Lake Como is SOLD!! I've wanted to go there for a long time, thanks for convincing me!!

So what I have decided is to squeeze in an extra night, hence 8 nights in total - starting with 4 nights in Rome, then train to Lake Como for another 4 nights, then fly out of Milan.

I have done searches on Trenitalia.it re connections between Roma and say Bellagio but couldn't find any. Can someone advise me where is the closest station to Bellagio or the route between Roma and any of the lakeside resort around Lago Como?

If we are flying out of Milan, is it better to stay at Varenna? (I understand Varenna is close to the freeway) What is the best connection between Lago Como and Milan Malpensa, train or bus?

Your feedback is much appreciated.

s

alihutch

You can't go all the way to Bellagio on the train...you get to Como or Varenna and then take the bus or ferry to where you want to go...unless you want to stay in Como or Varenna.
From Como to get to Malpensa get the train chaning at Saronno

TDudette

Varenna station a 5-minute walk to ferry to Bellagio.

swagman

I have done further research, my flight out of Milan is around midday, hence allowing 3hrs for international check-in, it means I have to be at Malpensa by 9am. If I stayed at say Bellagio, I would have to leave there before 7am, allowing for traffic on the autostrada. Is this a fair assumption?

So perhaps a reverse itinerary works better, ie fly into Milan, straight to Lake Como for 4 nights, then train to Rome for 4 nights before flying out of Rome.

Any comments?

s

Big_Red

I was remebering international check-in as being two hours ahead so check with your airline.

Your reverse itinarary is not a bad idea. Many people like the more hectic (Rome) at the back of the trip.

Also in my opinion, arrival day is the best day to spend a few hours getting to your final destination. With Milan - Lake Como for your arrival day, you'll be at your hotel around mid-afternoon.

As far as the exact timing to fly HOME from Malpensa - I will check my boat schedules but I think that the boat service starts right at about 8:00am. If you can get to Como, then it is supposed to be possible to get to Malpensa on the Milan area commuter rail (no traffic worries). This does involve changing trains however.

To answer your ealier question about bus or train for Lake Como to Malpensa. Unfortunately the perfect solution no longer exists. The perfect solution was the Malpensa to Town of Como bus (no longer runs). Private Buses, Lario Bus is one, looked expensive when I researched. A private car/taxi is supposed to be appx Euro140. You can train from Varenna to Milan Centrale and take the Malpensa Shulttle (bus) to the airport. From the town of Como you can take the commuter rail per above. SPT runs the local (Bellagio, Menaggio, Como etc.)bus company. Linea Lecco runs out of Lecco, but that probably won't help you.

One note - we stayed in Varenna and made an 11:00am flight easily. Train Varenna to Milano Centrale and then the Malpensa Shuttle bus to Malpensa.

zoecat

<<So perhaps a reverse itinerary works better, ie fly into Milan, straight to Lake Como for 4 nights, then train to Rome for 4 nights before flying out of Rome.

Any comments?>>


Seems easier and less stressfull to start in Lake Como and end in Rome.

Take the airport bus to the Milan train station and then the train to Varenna. Walk down the hill to the ferry (5-10 minutes) and take the ferry to Bellagio (10-15 minutes).

Lake Como to Rome:
There is no ticket window or machines at the Varenna train station. So, purchase your tickets to Rome when you arrive at the Milan train station on your way to Lake Como. Another option- there is a travel agent in Varenna (located about half way up the hill from the ferry to the train station) that will sell train tickets with no service fee.

Jean

I'd do Lake Como first and fly home from Rome. Although in theory it's easy to get from Bellagio to Malpensa in time for a midday flight, there are three "legs" to the journey (unless you take a taxi). And three chances for a foul-up, especially if a strike is called. Flying out of Rome means just one train or one taxi and less expensive emergency back-up strategies.

NYCFoodSnob

I think Rome in July is dreadful. It's too damn hot with too much car exhaust. But I think the same of NYC. If one can afford it, July is a month to LEAVE both cities.

Since July is your travel month, I would get Rome out of the way first and then luxuriate in life at the lake. It may be slightly easier the other way around but you WILL NOT REGRET leaving Italy with Lake Como as your last destination. The weather around the lake in July is nothing like Milan or Rome. It's much cooler and dryer and fabulous. You simply can't imagine the beauty until you experience it for yourself.

Getting to Malpensa in the early morning can be a challenge. My flight usually departs at 10 AM but I've been on earlier flights. To fix this, I splurge on a private car service from wherever I'm staying. It doesn't have to be a limo. For a no-stress departure, it's worth every penny at an early hour. A taxi from the ferry stop in the city of Como to Malpensa will cost around € 80. You can get your hotel to negotiate a taxi fare from wherever you're staying.

TDudette

FYI, the train to Varenna will say Varenna-Esino so don't be confused.

swagman

Big_Red, one of the posters on Slowtrav suggests that with increased security checks, it is advisable to arrive 3 hours prior for international departures, so I think it safe to take that comment on board.

"you WILL NOT REGRET leaving Italy with Lake Como as your last destination"

NYCFoodSnob, I can't agree with your comment more and after the hustle and bustle of Rome, I think Lago Como is the place to wind down!

So with the above in mind, I guess I'll stick to the original plan to start in Rome and finish in Lago Como, flying out of MXP. I have also made enquiry with a private car company which promptly replied to my email and advised me the trip from Bellagio to Malpensa is approx 2 hours at a cost of 180Euros. I am sure this is much more pricey than train, but definitely less chance of 'foul ups' as Jean pointed out above.

With respect to the fast train service between Rome and Milano Centrale, could someone advise if I should pre-purchase tickets at home or purchase when I get to Rome? 1st or 2nd class? Approx costs? Would it be one ticket all the way to Como town or would I have to purchase another ticket when transiting at Milano Centrale? I assume I can taxi/bus from Como town to Bellagio.

Many thx again!

s

TDudette

For February (didn't know what day of week or exact date) 89 (2nd) and 109 (1st) euros from Rome to Milan and about 3 hours. You can get a ticket for half that amount at twice the time. Another hour to Varenna. Look at trenitalia.com for info.

There isn't a huge difference between 1st and 2nd if you have reserved seats. It's up to you really. I think you can wait and buy train tickets when you get there.

If you go from Rome to Varenna-Esino, (94.10 or 116.65) you walk down the hill from the train station and catch the ferry to Bellagio. Buy your return ticket to Milan also btw-the Varenna station was unmanned when we were there. We caught the earliest train to Milan and took the airport shuttle from Milano Centrale.

If you go from Milan to the city of Como, you can catch a bus or boat to Bellagio. I am not familiar with that option so other Fodorites will need to help.