Driving Milan to Bellagio...advice?
May 23rd, 2004, 10:38 AM
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Driving Milan to Bellagio...advice?
We will be arriving at 8 am at Malpensa and immediately driving up to Lake Como. Our hotel room will in all likelihood not be ready until midday.
How should we plan our drive? Several Fodorites have suggested driving up the western "leg" of Como and then taking the car ferry over to Bellagio...
We are not fearful of curvey roads, the Big Sur drive in California is one of our favorites, and have driven in strange places all over the world...
What do you recommend??? Scenic vistas are wonderful, but traffic jams are not.
How should we plan our drive? Several Fodorites have suggested driving up the western "leg" of Como and then taking the car ferry over to Bellagio...
We are not fearful of curvey roads, the Big Sur drive in California is one of our favorites, and have driven in strange places all over the world...
What do you recommend??? Scenic vistas are wonderful, but traffic jams are not.
May 23rd, 2004, 12:19 PM
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Of course, the time of year will dictate whether there is more or less traffic, but even in the height of the summer I would still advise you somewhat as others have, but somewhat different: Take the western side of Lake Como, all the way around the north end, and down the other side, down to Lecco and back up to Bellagio. Stop for lunch somewhere along the way; for instance, in Varenna would be a great place. Good luck.
May 23rd, 2004, 01:06 PM
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I suggest that if you do stop in Varenna you might be tempted to simply take the ferry over to Bellagio from there rather than going all the way to Lecco and then "backtracking up the western "leg."
Varenna has some nice eating spots or take the ferry over, check in and have lunch if the room is still not yet ready.
Varenna has some nice eating spots or take the ferry over, check in and have lunch if the room is still not yet ready.
May 23rd, 2004, 01:56 PM
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We've driven from Malpensa to Bellagio on two trips now, both times taking the direct route i.e, the eastern leg straight into Bellagio. Our flights were also arriving around 8am (on weekdays) and we didn't hit any traffic. As you already know it is curvy and at several points, narrow enough that one car may have to stop to let traffic proceed to the other side but overall not a particularly difficult drive IMO. If you've driven Highway 1 in California and are comfortable with that, the drive to Bellagio will be a piece of cake.
As for the traffic consideration, it may be an issue on weekends or in the summer but definitely wasn't on those early morning weekdays in May and June.
If you go that route, I'd recommend that you obtain a good map of the city of Como as you have to get off the highway and kind of drive through Como to catch the road to Bellagio. We emailed the Como tourist office prior to our visit and requested a city map which was very helpful.
As for the traffic consideration, it may be an issue on weekends or in the summer but definitely wasn't on those early morning weekdays in May and June.
If you go that route, I'd recommend that you obtain a good map of the city of Como as you have to get off the highway and kind of drive through Como to catch the road to Bellagio. We emailed the Como tourist office prior to our visit and requested a city map which was very helpful.
May 23rd, 2004, 02:37 PM
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I would still drive up the west side and ferry over at Cadenabbia. That interior road is a bear. By the time you get luggage and the car--drive up--take the ferry, it is now past 11:00. Have fun !
May 23rd, 2004, 02:56 PM
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Take the Western leg. I only hit one sign with the side view mirror! If you drive down from the city stay on the road next to the lake. Of course I didn't and wound up in Giorgio Armani's neighborhood. Nice homes up there! Heehee! The road is not a problem at all. Enjoy. Good eats over in Cennobio across the lake but I would guess no matter where you go you will get fat.......and happy!
