Milan to the Lakes: how far? Which lake?
May 21st, 2001, 11:23 AM
#1
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Milan to the Lakes: how far? Which lake?
Hello Fodorites, <BR> <BR>Due to some tricky travel schedules, we will be dropping off our travel companions in Milan on a Friday afternoon, but we don't need to be back in Milan ourselves (to leave) until that Sunday night (2 days later). This is in mid June. So we have 2 days and a car, and we want to get away from the city and crowds. We are thinking of spending those days at Lake Como in Bellagio, but we are also interested in Lake Garda, Maggiore, or the Bergamo area. Can you tell we've never visited this part of Italy? We just don't know what to choose. <BR> <BR>Any advice on which area would be the most charming and romantic, within 2.5 hrs from Milan? We will be at the end of a 3-week trip and looking for some R&R but not boredom. <BR> <BR>Finally, any hotel recommendations would be fantastic, our price range is $180/night or below. Thanks!
May 21st, 2001, 11:55 AM
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Hello Sheldon, The Lakes are my favorite venue in Italy and we been fortunate to visit there many time. <BR>Given your scenario, I would opt for Lago Maggiore and Stresa. First, it is much easier access to and from Malpensa, <BR>and you also get Lago Orta in the bargain as a day trip. Read about this area at www.stresa.net and www.orta.net. <BR>My favorite 4 star is the Villa Aminta on the Lake and opposite the Isola Bella. Drive from Stresa and visit Lago Orta via Gignese--it is a special place. <BR>Try to see the Sacro Monte. You will love this entire region and you are only less than an hour from Malpensa.
May 21st, 2001, 01:33 PM
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Wherever you go, I suggest you make reservations now for a June weekend! <BR>I can only speak about Lake Como, but you can easily get there from either Malpensa or Milan itself within your time frame. And, it's a beautiful area, where you'll find that a weekend is not enough time! <BR>I (along with many other Fodorites)recommend the Belvedere Hotel in Bellagio (www.belvederebellagio.com; email: [email protected]).
May 21st, 2001, 01:51 PM
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I have only been to Como (loved Menaggio as a base - - and drolled over our vists to Villa Balbianello, and to Villa d'Este), so I will not challenge BobNav's experience, but I agree that it (Lake Como) is easy to get to, and VERY worthwhile. Looking forward to be able to compare Lake Garda after our fall Fodorites' trip. <BR> <BR>Many positive comments about the Garda area recently - - but it is the LEAST convenient of the "big three" lakes to Milan. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>
May 21st, 2001, 04:09 PM
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Como is magnificant, but the combination <BR>of Maggiore/Orta is equally so with probably more to see and do. The Villa Taranto has the finest gardens I have seen in Italy. Take your pick--better yet do both. <BR>For Rex, you will find that Garda is not nearly as refined as Como. The south end is very touristy and the terrain is not nearly as pleasing as the north end. If you want the best of Garda then stay at Malcesine or Riva.
May 21st, 2001, 04:41 PM
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Bob, I'm not sure if I agree with your recommendation of visiting two lakes, seeing that Sheldon is talking about only two days! Further, he said he was looking for some R&R, and I would think that one lake would enough for two days! And finally, I believe that Como is the closest of the three lakes from Malpensa.
May 21st, 2001, 05:56 PM
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BobNav - - <BR> <BR>I am not expecting an experience all "that similar" to Lake Como at Lake Garda - - not looking for the luxury I loved at Villa d'este, nor a geographic clone. and as I have already indicated, the villa we have rented IS at the south end of the lake (Punta San vigilio), right next to the town of Garda itself. <BR> <BR>But I am attracted to the area for many reason, only some of which (Sirmione, and the north end) are actually connected to the lake and its perimeter. <BR> <BR>The confluence of the Veneto, Lombardy and Trentino/Alto Aldige is one of the main reasons I am excited about this spot, with plans to check out some or all of the following: <BR> <BR>Trento, Bolzano, Asiago, Vicenza, Mantova, Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Cremona, Bergamo and Bassano del Grappa. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>
May 21st, 2001, 06:00 PM
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Hi all, it's me again. Thanks for the good suggestions. We are indeed flying out of Malpensa but I don't mind driving a bit farther to the most highly recommended lake. Right now Maggiore is winning but I haven't seen any hotel recommendations yet (please, please make a recommendation). <BR> <BR>To us, R&R means a little driving, seeing a garden, maybe taking a boat,an easy walk, in fact, it means pretty much anything besides strenuous physical exercise and fighting big crowds. We do want to be active on those last two days. I am hoping to find a charming town to explore, and Stresa is sounding like it might be the one--but I'm not decided yet, so please weigh in with your opinion! Thanks!
May 21st, 2001, 06:19 PM
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Sheldon, Look at the web site I gave you and you will find about 10 hotels. <BR>As I said, the Villa Aminta is my choice but you will also like the Astoria, and the La Palma. Do not overlook Lago Orta---some say that this one is the best of all the Lakes. <BR>I have stayed at all 4 lake locations at least 3 times each. It is hard to go wrong.
