dkrause

My sister and I are traveling to Italy in May, we will be staying near Montepulciano for several nights then want to travel to Lake Como and spend a couple of nights before flying home out of Milan. We will have a car while staying in Tuscany and have decided to drive to Lake Como rather than take the train. Is this a good idea? We are excited at the thought of being in our own car and able to stop wherever we might want to along the way. Would you recommend traveling up the coast to Genova then north or travel inland?

bobthenavigator

I would only take the coast road if you plan to spend the nite. Otherwise, A-1 via Milan is much faster. Where are you going on Lago Como---that is key. With a car---and ending at MXP---I suggest staying on the west shore at Lenno or Menaggio. The drive is almost all autostrada but will take some time---be sure to run the routing on Goggle maps.

bobthenavigator

The Google program say 5:13 but I would plan on 6 hours driving plus stops. Consider going instead to the coast at Portovenere or Santa Marherita for easier logistics.

Michael

This is where we stayed above Bellagio. They had parking available.

http://www.ilperlo.com/en

dkrause

Thank you for the suggestion, we may try driving to Portovenere then head up to A1 from there. Would that be a good spot to be able to see some coastline? Is Parma worth making some time for? We have reservations at the Belvedere in Bellagio.

charlesg

I drove from Piombino to Pisa ten years ago. Stuck to the A12 most of the way and don't remember seeing much coast. Was not a bad drive.

The road to Portovenere is marked scenic on my maps so should be.

My reason for reponding is to recommend you go to Lecco to get to Bellagio. I did not listen to my gps and went Como. You have to drive through Como and the road out of Como is a white knuckle drive. Very narrow along the cliff and you will meet buses. The sun will be in your eyes if it late afternoon and toss in a little rain and it gets even better. Views are great but the driver can't look and the passenger will probably be screaming. The road out of Lecco is shorter and much easier drive.

The views from Il Perlo are unbelieveable. We stayed there in 2009. It is bit sparatan, but clean and comfortable and the staff is nice. A bit far to walk into town. There is/was a good restaurant above Il Perlo on the same road with an even better view especially at night. Sorry but can' remember the name.

Highly recommend a gps. It has saved our marriage. If you have one or use one, be careful around Bellagio. The guy at Il Perlo said they used World War II maps in that area when i told him We ended up in a farm yard. He politely asked why we didn't follow the signs?

Have a good trip. We are going to Florence again in April. Will probably stay in Montepulciano for three nights. Have been to Florence and area four times and have never been or stayed there. Are ending the trip in Stresa. Didn't want to drive that far but love Stresa.