Chels

Hello,

Planning a trip in the 3rd week of September to Italy. We would like to work in some time to see Lake Como and its towns. I have enough hotel points that we can stay in Milan for free; we could then take the train to Como, and take boats from there. Are we missing out too much of the Como experience by doing this?

Additionally, I am devoting 2 full days to Como. Is this enough time? We don't plan on doing water sports, just sightseeing.

I look forward to your replies, and, as always, thanks in advance.

Chels

Dukey

Personally, I'd skip the city of Como entirely and head directly for the mid-lake region (Varenna/Menaggio/Bellagio).

ellenem

If you are planning to go there for two days, I would make it an overnight rather than taking trains back and forth. While the train rides are only an hour or so, getting to and from stations takes time that could be better spent on the lake itself. Two days would be enough, especially if you stayed on the lake.

nessundorma

There is no particular reason to go to Como for 2 days.

I think doing a day trip by train from Milano to Bellagio (via Varenna) often works out very well for people. For one thing, you won't be a prisoner of the weather. If it's a nice day, go to the lake. If it's not, go to a museum in Milano (my personal favorite being the Pinoteca Ambrosiana) or impoverish yourself shopping!

At night, the view of the lake disappears.

I'd take the extra day and visit Verona.

GBC

Hi Chels,
Personally, I would save those hotel points for another time. Stay on the lake and enjoy the exploration of it. As noted, I feel the mid-lake region would be best. It is beautiful. We were there for several days and could easily have stayed longer.

Chels

Thanks for the replies.

I am leaning towards staying on the Lake for convenience. However, if we stayed in Milan, we would not focus only on Como; we would use the town as a base to train into the area each morning.

I know a lot of people daytrip to Bellagio, which is why I thought of basing in Milan. If we stay in Milan, we will stay there about 4 -5 days, and allocate 2 for the Lake. I'd like to take the ferry around to various towns, and visit a few of the Villas.

As of now, if we stay on the Lake, I am looking at two hotels, one in Como and one in Varenna. They are somewhat spartan compared to what I could get in Milan with my hotel points, but unfortunately the budget is not up to Villa D'Este! Is being near the lake worth the trade off?

Thanks for the responses!

Chels

Big_Red

The hotel in Varenna sounds like a good plan. We have been to Lake Como twice and stayed in Varenna both times.

Chels

Thanks. We are leaning towards Varenna. If the hotel we like has availability, we will probably stay there.

Thanks for the replies,
Chels

joycap

The lake experience itself is quiet memorable both day and night. The mid-lake region offers so much. We just returned from 3 nights at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo Palace. The view even at night is so beautiful as we could see all of Bellagio and other towns along the lake twinkling in the night. The roads are also rather difficult to drive, so I would not suggest that it is too easy if you are planning on going in and out to Milan. Verenna is charming. Have dinner on the island of Comicino. It is truly a remarkable experiency. Three nights were not enough for us.

Chels

Hi, Joycap,

Thanks for the response. We just heard that the hotel we were looking at in Varenna is sold out. I have looked at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, and it appears very nice. Were you totally happy with it? I am weighing and balancing the $0 cost of staying in Milan with the cost of the Grand Hotel...

Thanks!

Chels

bobthenavigator

You have to see Lago Como.
Look at Grand Hotel Menaggio--better location and less $ than GH Tremezzo.

LoveItaly

Hello Chels, we are all so different with different thoughts and interest.

If it was me I would take advantage of the "free" hotel in Milan although most people obviously would disagree. I love Milan, although many don't.

Actually I like everywhere I have been in Italy, lol. Anyway, just my two cents worth. Have a beautiful trip no matter what you decide, I am sure you will.

Jean

Although I agree that spending one night on Lake Como would provide the better experience, the train ride between Milan and Varenna is only an hour. (I would skip the town of Como entirely.) If you decide to day-trip from Milan, buy round trip train tickets (Milan-Varenna-Milan) and by all means don't get stuck in Bellagio or Menaggio after the last ferry.

But if you decide to spring for a night on the lake, what's your budget? There are many hotels in the mid-Lake Como area without the word "grand" in the title that are very nice and relatively reasonable.

Chels

My budget for hotels is about 225 Euro/night.

I should probably clarify that we are not so much interested in the town of Como, but we have focused on the town as a gateway from Milan by train. (I know Varenna is our other option.)

I am really struggling with this issue as some of the hotels appear to really have such lovely views. But, the flip side to that is with a maximum of 3 days on the Lake, we will probably be spending minimal time in the hotel, and probably more time sightseeing on the Lake and in the various towns. As such, we can do that from Milan with free hotel but more inconvenience due to starting each day from a distance.

Another option is to spend 1 night in a Grand lake hotel for the experience, and spend the rest of the stay in Milan for free.

Still debating, but thoroughly appreciating your advice,

Chels

Big_Red

Sleeping in Milan and shuttling to Lake Como seems to be rather hectic for typical Lake Como experience.

When we go to Lake Como, we stay at the Albergo Olivedo in Varenna. We also take their half board plan. Our lakefront triple room with breakfast and dinner for three people was 200 euro per night in June 2005. You might want to consider it.

nini

I have to say that I would not stay at Albergo Olivedo. We stayed there in April and regretted not staying at Hotel du Lac which was in a quiet area on the lake. AO has the most uncomfortable beds imaginable--the type you may have had in college. The place was in a Karen Brown guide but obviously no one in the KB camp has been there in years. The hotel itself is an interesting old building but needs updating. The decor and bed covers, etc in our room were in serious need of replacement. The owner is never seen without a cigarette and has a surly attitude. One night it was quite chilly and I requested an extra blanket and the owner denied this request--she said the beds had lovely duvets that were sufficient. Well, lovely would not be the word to describe them but maybe shabby is more accurate. Breakfast was meager.

Jean

Chels, you can stay in a really beautiful room at $225 a night, but you don't have to spend that much for a very nice room with a view. It really doesn't have to be choosing between the free room in Milan and the extravagent "grand" lake experience.

But if you don't decide soon and get something booked, the decision will be made for you.

I would not recommend staying in Milan with the idea of going to the lake each day for 2 or 3 days. Too time-consuming, too hectic, too much watching the clock.

Kathryncee

There is a great litte town called Ascona about a 1 hour drive north of Milan right on the lake. It is truly beautiful.. may make a nice day trip from wherever you will be.

DeirdreStraughan

FWIW, I commute every day from Lecco, on Lake Como's southeastern tip, to work in central Milan. Takes about an hour including two metro stops within Milan. The train to Varenna would take 20-30 minutes longer.

best regards,
Deirdré Straughan

beginningwithi.com

Budman

I'm also looking for a place on Lake Como. I was considering Menaggio since I will have a car and can ferry to/from Bellagio then day trip by car to Lugano and scenic drives around the lakes.