Huggy

As I rode the train in January from Milano to Basel along Lake Maggiore, I thought that this may not be a bad place to spend the month of February. Weather was mild, not a lot of traffic, etc. Many of you might say do not go at that time. Well after several trips to all parts of Italy, we have seen most of the country in all seasons, and still enjoy it, cities and small towns.

Would like assistance in my thought process, in off season apartment rental and specific town recommendations and planning to forgo a car. I know many of the negatives having spent most of this past January traveling through Tuscany, Piedmont, Umbria, etc.

Thanks for your assistance.

traveller1959

Your kind of thinking is exactly the reason why you find so many splendid villas along the shores of the north Italian lakes. So, you are not alone with your ideas.

Since you want a raliway connection to Milano, stay either at Baveno or Stresa. Both towns have ferries to the Borromean Islands.

Huggy

Traveller:

Do you prefer Maggiore to Como or Garda in the winter?

H

StCirq

I haven't ever spent any time in the Italian Lakes in February, but it's one of my favorite times to live in Europe. So quiet, unpredictable but livable weather, lots of things closed but enough open to see what "real life" is all about. No crowds. The markets are a bit sparse but still active. I love it.

traveller1959

>>Do you prefer Maggiore to Como or Garda in the winter?<<

Hard to say. Climatewise, Maggiore is the mildest, Como the coldest. Lake Garda has the north, with dramatic high mountain around (which means, cold winds are coming down), and the south which opens in the plains.

If you want to be there without a car, Maggiore is probably the best choice because you have the train to Milan (and beyond).

neckervd

Many retired people spend the winter at Locarno, Orselina, etc, because it's the warmest place in the whole Lake area (protected from cold or strong winds). Pallanza and Intra aren't bad too.
January is usually a rather dry month in this area, but neither rain nor snowfall up down to the Lakes (rather seldom) can be excluded.
Low season tourist infrastructure (buses, boats, cablecars, open restaurants, etc.) is best in th Swiss part of the Lake.
Locarno is connected to the Zurich - Bellinzona - Lugano - Como - Milan motorway. Trains and buses to all Swiss areas at least every hr.
In January, I often spend a few days in the area for hiking.