Bellagio, Stresa or Orta for 2 nights?
Nov 2nd, 2008, 05:22 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bellagio, Stresa or Orta for 2 nights?
I need some help here - Our trip next summer includes a week in Umbria, Bologna for 2 nights, Venice for 3 nights, and we want our last 2 nights in one of the Italian Lake towns - but not sure which one. Easy access to Malpensa is important, as our flight leaves at noon.
We will have a car in Umbria, but would like to drop it off leaving Umbria and train to Bologna, Venice... Is it possible to train to any of the lake towns or do we need a car? I really like the idea of Lake Orta based on many reviews on this site, but I am not sure if getting in and out is easy.
We are happy to just relax on this portion of our trip - see the local town, maybe take a boat ride, etc...
Please give me your thoughts. We are a group of 6 and I hate to be stressed at the end of a trip worrying about making the flight home, etc - so being able to get to our flight on time is important.
Thank you!
We will have a car in Umbria, but would like to drop it off leaving Umbria and train to Bologna, Venice... Is it possible to train to any of the lake towns or do we need a car? I really like the idea of Lake Orta based on many reviews on this site, but I am not sure if getting in and out is easy.
We are happy to just relax on this portion of our trip - see the local town, maybe take a boat ride, etc...
Please give me your thoughts. We are a group of 6 and I hate to be stressed at the end of a trip worrying about making the flight home, etc - so being able to get to our flight on time is important.
Thank you!
Nov 2nd, 2008, 05:38 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
With 6 people you could get another van as you leave Venice and drive to Orta. It is not a good choice without a car. If you use the trains then Stresa becomes your best option--easy connection in Milan. There is a bus service from Stresa to MXP. Frankly, I would drive with that large of a group.
Nov 2nd, 2008, 05:40 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here are some pics from Orta and Stresa---both are wonderful destinations.
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4173
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4173
Nov 2nd, 2008, 05:50 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, the drive is easy but you do have to park about 200 yards from the centro piazza above the village. It is less than an hour drive to MXP, but so is Stresa. Whichever place you choose, it is only a :45 drive between them so you can enjoy both that full day.
Nov 2nd, 2008, 06:08 AM
#6
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 23,363
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you do decide to spend those nights on Lake Como, it is a very easy drive from the western shore of the lake to Malpensa. We just did this trip (staying in Menaggio) and had no problem returning our rented car and making an 11:50am international flight.
Nov 2nd, 2008, 08:46 AM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, we have stayed there 4 times, but the Bussola is also a good option. See www.orta.net If you decide on Hotel Orta it may help to drop my name---they know me. It is classic but a bit rough on the edges---best location in town.
Nov 2nd, 2008, 08:52 AM
#11
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 23,363
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I stayed for four nights at the Grand Hotel Victoria in Menaggio. They have free parking and it is very easy to drive in and out of town from the hotel. We were a bit nervous about driving to Malpensa for our flight home, and even considered dropping off the car and taking a taxi from Menaggio, which would have cost about 170 Euro. But the drive was VERY easy; the rental car return is within walking distance of the airport terminal One.
http://www.centrohotelslakecomo.com/.../homepage.html
http://www.centrohotelslakecomo.com/.../homepage.html
Nov 2nd, 2008, 09:32 AM
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Grand Hotel Victoria looks beautiful - but needing to book 3 rooms puts it a little out of my price range. I'd like to keep the rooms under 130E per night each - does any one else have any suggestions for Mennagio. I am also considering Lake Orta - Hotel Orta and La Bussola.
Nov 2nd, 2008, 09:37 AM
#14
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 23,363
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One idea..just a few minutes south of Menaggio:
http://www.centrohotelslakecomo.com/.../homepage.html
http://www.centrohotelslakecomo.com/.../homepage.html
Nov 2nd, 2008, 09:40 AM
#15
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 23,363
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This place is lovely..I took a peek last month; I cannot find the rates on the site but you could inquire:
http://www.albergolenno.com/inglese/
I am in the midst of writing a report about my trip. I will bring it up for you to read the section about Lake Como; there is some hotel and a lot of food information..
http://www.albergolenno.com/inglese/
I am in the midst of writing a report about my trip. I will bring it up for you to read the section about Lake Como; there is some hotel and a lot of food information..
Nov 2nd, 2008, 09:57 AM
#16
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We made a trip this may in Italy, by train. From Bologna we took the train to Stresa, were we stayed the last two nights. Like you, your flight was at noon.
From Bologna we had to change the train in Milano, in order to reach Stresa. We liked the trains in Italy, they were clean, in time and no crowded.
In Stresa we stayed at hotel Primavera, on commercial street, 100 m. from the lake. Clean, big rooms and good breakfast.
The next day we visited Isola Bella, Villa Taranto, Isola Madre and isola Pescatore. We bought a ticket for boat (good for one day, unlimited stops and that included the entry at isola Bella.
This day was superb, isola Bella with its palace and park and the park of villa Taranto are so beautiful!
To airport we took from Stresa the special bus Alibus.You have to order tickets one day before, the hotel will help you with this. It was very easy, comfortable. It takes 50 minutes to reach the airport.
We were very glad with all this arrangements, we had nothing to worry about.
Hope that this info will help.
From Bologna we had to change the train in Milano, in order to reach Stresa. We liked the trains in Italy, they were clean, in time and no crowded.
In Stresa we stayed at hotel Primavera, on commercial street, 100 m. from the lake. Clean, big rooms and good breakfast.
The next day we visited Isola Bella, Villa Taranto, Isola Madre and isola Pescatore. We bought a ticket for boat (good for one day, unlimited stops and that included the entry at isola Bella.
This day was superb, isola Bella with its palace and park and the park of villa Taranto are so beautiful!
To airport we took from Stresa the special bus Alibus.You have to order tickets one day before, the hotel will help you with this. It was very easy, comfortable. It takes 50 minutes to reach the airport.
We were very glad with all this arrangements, we had nothing to worry about.
Hope that this info will help.
Nov 3rd, 2008, 07:20 AM
#20
We recently stayed at Hotel Bussola on Lake Orta. It is set above the small town with beautiful lake and island views.The owners were helpful and pleasant. The rooms are similar to those in a US business hotel. We were required to eat dinner or lunch there and the meals were very pedestrian, the worst we have ever experienced in Italy. So, if you stay there, try to opt out of the meal plan.
