2 weeks in Italy, with a kindergartner is going to be fun, but I need SPECIFIC places to see and do that will interest this active child in these key areas: Aosta, Cinque Terre (Monterossa is base); Lake Maggiore (Stresa); Lake Como. We will travel by car. I'd like to stop along the way, in Piedmonte, just for daddy to go to a winery, if you know of a special place. Also, if you have what NOT to do, that would be great to know...in these regions. How about the ferry boat rides on the Lkes....good or bad. Got any kid tips for ordering at restaurants? Gotta find a couple of cute Italian teenagers to babysit every once in awhile (the kid, not me!). Thanks a million. Reply soon, 'cause we depart around mid June, 2002. Ciao y'all.

Robert,<BR>I am coming from nine days spent in Lake Como area.<BR>Escape from these two restaurants: Il Gatto Nero in Cernobbio and Il Giardinetto in Consiglio di Rumo. I had two bad dinners, and my friends, also. My suggestion is La Rimessa in Mariano Comense: very nice and not expensive.<BR>Bye.

give this guy some help ladies out there!

I would think that the tour of the castle on the Borromean Islands in Lake Maggiore would interest a 5 year old. I recall a small doll house and marrionette theatre. There is also a garden/zoo with giant storks in Pallanza near Lake Maggiore. Just taking the ferries from Menaggio to Bellagio to Varenna on Lake Como would seem to hold some appeal for a 5 year old also. Find him/her a Turkish toilet, s/he'll be mystified and amazed.

Thanks! I don't know what a turkish toilet is, but will find out. Anybody out there have any suggestions for what to do or not to do at Cique Terre with a kid. Thank again!

Robert,<BR><BR>Some suggestions:<BR><BR>In both Stresa and Lake Como, be sure to get a hotel with a "swimming pool" on property--good exercise and diversion in areas that I would consider to be predominantly "adult" vacation territory.<BR><BR>In Stresa: Take the cable car to the top of Monte Mottarone.<BR> For dinner, excellent food in a casual, umbrella-tabled garden behind the Hotel/ Restaurant Fiorentino (Via Bolognaro 9).<BR>Family-operated---comfortable atomosphere for a child. Portions are immense---share items.<BR><BR>Around Lake Como:<BR><BR> I think your child will enjoy short "hops" on the ferries, but not the lenghty one or two hour rides.<BR><BR> In Bellagio, there is a park with some playground equipment at La Punta (the point) and a very nice outdoor restaurant by the same name overlooking the park/playground area. The restaurant has a outdoor terrace where the ducks waddle over and wait to be fed bread from the tables. We watched one active 3 or 4 year old entertain himself for over an hour just following the ducks around.<BR>Reservations necessary!<BR><BR> There is a weekly flea market along the lakeside in Lenno on Tuesday, and in Cernobbia on Wednesday. You can combine a walk through the flea market at Lenno with a hike to the Villa Balbionella (spelling?)---about twenty minutes uphill through the woods, and then come back to Lenno by private motorboat. The receptionist at the Villa will call a boatman to come for you when you are ready to return to Lenno. Cost of the boat ride was 10 euros for 2 persons.<BR>This is a definite "don't miss".<BR><BR> In Varenna, there are ruins of a castle on the hill above town, and a great pitza restaurant on the main square across the street from the church.<BR><BR> In the Cinque Terre, don't take your child on the high ridges between the towns. The short walk from Riomaggiore to Manarola ---about 15 minutes of level terrain, will be enjoyable and safe.<BR><BR> The trains that speed through the mountain tunnels between the villages ( in a few short minutes) will probably be exciting to him.<BR><BR> There is a decent sand beach in Monterosso al Mare for swimming.<BR><BR> Try Il Pirato for dinner one night. Strait up the street about 20 yards from the parking jetty in Monterosso. Their antipastos are full meals in themselves. You can eat inside or out on the verandah. <BR><BR> As to "Turkish Toilets"---there are some at the public restrooms in Orta de San Guilio----a great little town over the mountain from Stresa. Worth the drive of about 30 minutes each way. They have a market on the main square on Wednesdays.<BR><BR> <BR> <BR><BR> <BR>

Georgine, you are a wonderful resource! Thanks so much. I will bring your notes with me and say SALUTE to you!