Can only fit in one and can't decide which for my next trip with hubby in June. Haven't been to either but something about the crowds in the south are scaring me away. Which would you visit if you may not be back for a few years?

Clara, Tough choice! And mine might be a minority opinion regarding lakes but I'd opt for Lago Maggiore. I probably would stay in Ascona, which is in Switzerland (the Ticino, Italian region of Switzerland). You can take boats to Stresa and other Italian towns and also do the Centovalli which is a beautiful mountainous region with Swiss and Italian villages. I was there last June and the weather was very nice. Not really crowded at all.<BR><BR>That said, I also love Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. But it most likely will be more crowded. Either way, you can't lose!

Let your itinerary dictate--both are fabulous, but Amalfi coast is harder to access. Where else are you going?

The Italian Lakes beat Amalfi hands down in my humble opinion. Como is beautiful; particularly liked Bellagio. Garda is also very spectacular; would recommend Sirmione. You can easily get to other lovely places by train or bus e.g. Bergamo or Cremona/Mantova or Madrid

Topping for Elena.

You've left a few blanks here. How much time to you have available for one of these areas and have you ever been to either before? Also which will you be closer to? If you have an extra week or so, then I'd opt for Amalfi so you can include an overnight on Capri, see Pompei, Sorrento, Positano, Naples, Ravello, and Amalfi itself. But if you only have two or three days and you're relatively close, then I'd spend the time on Como. You can do a lot there in a couple of days; I think you'd feel cheated in the Amalfi area in just a couple of days.

It is so easy to get to Como from Milano and so much to do when you get there. The scenery is spectacular. You can just lounge around or rent bikes or cruise the lake and visit the other towns. Go for the lake!<BR>Elena