Maggiore or Garda

Old Jul 25th, 2010, 04:11 PM
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Maggiore or Garda

We are planning a trip to Italy for October and only have time for 2 of the lakes. We know we want to go to Lake Como, but are trying to decide between Maggiore and Garda for the second lake. It's just my wife and me and we'll be renting a car, so access should not be an issue. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Old Jul 25th, 2010, 04:33 PM
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I like both lakes for different reasons. What are your stops before and after the two lakes? And how late in October?
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Old Jul 25th, 2010, 05:58 PM
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I'm partial to Lake Garda. Have been to both. At Lake Garda, I like Sirmione, staying in one of the hotels in the old part of the city. Has a nice castle, nice places to walk, including the Roman villa at the tip of the peninsula. You can take a boat to other places along the lake.

With your car, you can enter the old part of town only if you have a hote reservation there.

Be sure to drive the Gardesana Occidentale (along the western edge - and I mean edge -) of the lake and drive to some of the villages located up on the hills.
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Old Jul 25th, 2010, 09:13 PM
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I'd actually skip Como and do Maggiore and Garda.

But if I could only pick one, I'd go with Maggiore. The town of Stresa has some superb hotels. The town of Intra has nice hotels as well (I like hotel Ancora). Also, near Stresa, you can take a funicular up the mountainside for a great view. Each town has ferry service to all the other towns, as well as a stop at the islands in between (one of which is where Napolean was exiled). [As a sidenote, you can bring your car on certain ferries to cross the lake]. The town of Arona is very charming and is where I've eaten some of the best gelato in my life.

It's my understanding that each town rotates an outdoor market depending on the day and time of year. I enjoyed visiting the markets, especially for bread, cheese, etc.

I hope you're visiting Milan.
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Old Jul 26th, 2010, 12:14 AM
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Another vote for Lake Garda. I love the area and would stay at Sirmione. It's in the best position for both sides of the lake. I can recommend either the Hotel Olivi or the Flaminia, having stayed in both, maybe leaning towards the Olivi. The Flaminia is in the centre of the village, whilst the Olivi is three hundered yards through the centre.

If you're in your own car, then the hotel will arrange for you to be allowed into the village to park. Taxis can take you to the hotel or if you are dropped off at the gate, the hotel will collect you and the luggage.

Take one of the ferries and see the other towns round the lake, a great way to spend a day.
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Old Jul 26th, 2010, 12:45 AM
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Tough decision.

I know the Swiss-side of Maggiore well and adore Ascona and vicinity. I love walking along the lake and exploring the valleys.

Garda lake has many more quaint towns, each feeling a bit medevial. You can also go to Verona easily from Garda lake.

Tough call.
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Old Jul 26th, 2010, 07:43 AM
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I'm back to ask again, what's the rest of your itinerary and how late in October?
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Old Jul 26th, 2010, 08:10 AM
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Jean is correct.
I prefer Maggiore, especially if you depart MXP. If you do go to Garda I would not stay in Sirmione---the north end is much more spectacular and you will have a car.
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Old Jul 26th, 2010, 08:17 AM
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I would choose Maggiore and.....Orta. I really disliked Sirmione, but perhaps that was because there was a major autobomba scare about 5 minutes after we arrived, so my main memory is of scuttling to find cover.

Do look into Orta, though.
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Old Jul 26th, 2010, 08:18 AM
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Jean -- Either the first or (more likely) second week in October. We'll fly into Milan and were planning on making the lakes our first stop, before continuing on to the Veneto and finishing in Venice. Thanks.
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Old Jul 26th, 2010, 08:33 AM
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Jean - if you decide on Garda, I would suggest staying half-way up the lake, as that gives you better acces to both ends of the lake. if you stay in sirmone, lovely though it is, it takes forever to get to the other end, and vice versa.

i've not been to Como, so can't comment. However, I've been to both Maggiare and Garda and liked both very much. which isn't much help, i know.

have a great trip,

regards, ann
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Old Jul 26th, 2010, 09:35 AM
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oops, should be MaggiOre.
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Old Jul 26th, 2010, 01:18 PM
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Stuart27, others may disagree, but I think even the second week of October is pushing it weatherwise for Lake Garda. We were there later in October on two different trips, and the wind/breeze from the north was quite cool. Maggiore, especially at the southern end, IMO feels more protected and provides more to see/do. There are other, small lakes in the area, and on your way to Lake Como you could take a lovely drive along the shore of Lake Lugano. If it interests you, you could take the funicular at Cassarate to the top of Monte Bre for spectacular views of Lake Lugano.
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