cometstar

Hi,

I am going to Milan in 2 weeks and would like to plan a 2 day/1 night trip to the Lake Como area.

I originally wanted to take the train from Milan to Varenna, spend the morning and afternoon there, and then take the ferry to Bellagio to stay for 1 night and spend the second day exploring Bellagio. However, I realized that there is no luggage storage facility in Varenna and while we are traveling light, I would prefer not to carry a backpack while I explore the city.

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions about where to store the luggage or how I can rearrange the trip so that I can spend time in both towns without taking the ferry back and forth. We would prefer to stay in Bellagio based on current hotel prices as well as attractions in the area (hiking) since we will probably also be spending more time in Bellagio than in Varenna. I am just not sure how to explore Varenna if there is no where to put our luggage for a few hours.

We are in our 20s and would like to keep costs as low as possible (while still being comfortable) and would like to also hike and walk around the area - so any suggestions about where to visit would be helpful as well! Thank you!

sandralist

How about packing an overnight bag and leaving your luggage in Milano Centrale?

But if that doesn't appeal, the ferry ride between Varenna and Bellagio is 5 or 10 minutes. So just book a Bellagio hotel and go there and drop off your luggage. Then go back to Varenna if you feel like it.

Another plan would be to take the trains to the town of Como, use the ferries to go to Bellagio, drop off your luggage, take the ferry over to Varenna.

But seriously, it is a tiny corner of the lake, with short ferry rides in between.

The bigger question, I think, is whether you should hold off on making this booking until you are in Italy and can see what the weather is -- unless it doesn't matter to you if it rains during the time you spend in Lago di Como.

NYCFoodSnob

Apparently, you didn't discover <i>Il Sentiero del Viandante</i> in your research. The east side of the lake boasts one of the most famous hiking trails. Had you booked a hotel in Varenna, you could conveniently keep your luggage at the hotel and hike to your delight, with far more fantastic views at your feet than anything Bellagio has to offer. In fact, the trail goes through Hotel Eremo Gaudio, and the views don't get much better than this.

Bellagio hotel prices less than Varenna? I sincerely doubt that. If I only had one night, and hiking and convenient luggage storage mattered to me, I'd sleep in Varenna. I doubt I'd even bother visiting Bellagio.

bobthenavigator

Sure, visit Lago Como and skip Bellagio---what a strange opinion.

I too would stay in Bellagio, as I have several times, using the train line Trenord from Milan to Como and then the ferry to Bellagio. Have fun---you will love both Bellagio and Varenna.

sandralist

I've stayed in Eremo Guadio and it is a fantastic perch. But the view from Bellagio is a natural wonder and I am very glad I saw it. I actually think the best view is from the ferry itself that runs between the two towns.

The sun sets fairly early in springtime, and once the sun sets on Lago di Como, you can't see much of anything when it comes to a view, so it really doesn't matter where you are sleeping in that regard, and none of the towns have notably better food or nighttime ambience than the others. Go with the best money-deal without regret.

NYCFoodSnob

<i><font color=#555555>"Sure, visit Lago Como and skip Bellagio---what a strange opinion."</font></i>

I wouldn't skip Bellagio if I had more than one night. There lies the distinction. So how strange is that, really? But with only one night, and coming from Milan, I definitely WOULD NOT stay overnight in Bellagio.

That said, Bellagio does little for me. I'd much rather visit and spend my time at Villa del Balbianello. I'm glad the masses are convinced Bellagio is <b>the</b> place. That leaves those of us who prefer authenticity more space and air to breathe.

neckervd

There are tons of hiking trails along Lake Como. The sentiero del Viandante (47 kms long, ascent 2000 metres) is just one of them.

cometstar

We have decided to stay in Bellagio and either take the ferry both ways or bring a lighter 1 day pack and store our bigger duffel bag in the Milan train station.

Now we just have to decide where we want to hike/walk for our 2 days, either spending more time in Bellagio or going to Varenna.

Any suggestions on small villages we can reasonably walk to in an afternoon from either Bellagio or Varenna?

Also suggestions on clothing?

neckervd

"Any suggestions on small villages we can reasonably walk to in an afternoon from either Bellagio or Varenna?"

May be you will have a look at a map
http://map.geo.admin.ch/?lang=en&X=1...xelkarte-farbe