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Varenna or Bellagio, Albergo Milano or Hotel Florence?

Varenna or Bellagio, Albergo Milano or Hotel Florence?

Old Nov 2nd, 2015, 04:40 PM
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Varenna or Bellagio, Albergo Milano or Hotel Florence?

We (my husband and I, late 60s) are going to Lake Como for three nights next May, coming from Santa Margherita Ligure and going to Verona to complete our trip. I’ve narrowed our stay to two hotel choices in either Varenna (Albergo Milano) or Bellagio (Hotel Florence), and any experiences you can share to help us decide would really be appreciated.

We are good walkers and love gardens and villas. We plan to see Villa Carlotta, Villa del Balbianello, Villa Melzi and Monastero. We’ll probably walk up to the castle above Varenna if we stay there. We enjoy good food and enjoy meeting new people (often staying at B&Bs).

I realize that it would be easier to get the luggage from the train station to Varenna. Is there an advantage to being in Bellagio to reach the first two villas, or is the ferry time about the same? We like having a nice long lunch and earlier dinners, say 7:00-7:30. Are there more options in Bellagio or Varenna for dinner, and any problems getting back on the ferry to our hotel after 9:00 or so? More places to walk and enjoy in either town?

Thanks in advance for anything you can say to tip the scales! I need to book soon, I think.
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Old Nov 2nd, 2015, 04:59 PM
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I have written extensively on the subject of Lake Como. The views from Albergo Milano's terraces far surpass any view that Hotel Florence offers. Hotel Florence is easier to walk to from Bellagio's ferry dock. From Varenna's ferry and train station, one must endure steps to reach Albergo Milano.
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Old Nov 2nd, 2015, 06:57 PM
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For ferry question, here are the time tables up to March: http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/eng/c_orari.asp. You want the "car ferry service," the one that runs later at night. You will not see the May schedule until next spring. In peak season, these car ferries run until around 10pm.
For access to villas, Bellagio is more central. But the difference is not that monumental.
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Old Nov 3rd, 2015, 07:53 AM
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Thank you! I had seen some of your posts, NYC. The info on the late ferry helps (I had seen the winter schedule but wasn’t sure which ferry to look for), greg.

It’s more getting a feeling for each place.
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Old Nov 3rd, 2015, 09:33 AM
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I prefer Bellagio for strolling, views, small town feel, ferry access, dining, though I know many prefer Varenna.
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Old Nov 3rd, 2015, 12:23 PM
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Since Bellagio is larger, it offers more dining choices.
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Old Nov 3rd, 2015, 02:09 PM
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The Hotel Florence has a nice bar for meeting others. It is a lovely hotel. I prefer Bellagio simply because it is busier and offers more dining than Varenna.
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Old Nov 3rd, 2015, 05:44 PM
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We stayed in Bellagio at the Hotel Florence in 2012 and had a great time. You may have already seen my report but have a look at all our Lake Como pics here:

https://john183italy2012.shutterfly.com/pictures/423

In my trip report below scroll down to our days in Bellagio:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...nque-terre.cfm

Obviously my vote would be for the Hotel Florence in Bellagio.
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Old Nov 3rd, 2015, 05:49 PM
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Yikes. Had too much wine tonight celebrating my wife's birthday. I should have looked before I replied but I now see you have already read my trip report. Sorry....
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Old Nov 3rd, 2015, 08:04 PM
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Thank you all so much for your help. I talked it over w/my husband, presented all the ideas, and he liked Varenna (I think mostly to make the connections to Milan a little easier). We will book some meals in Bellagio for sure.

I did read your report, John! It was wonderful.

thank you again for all of your suggestions.
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