alisagom

Hi my husband and I have three nights at the end of our time in Europe when we will be going from Venice and leaving out of Pisa. Per forum, looks like we'll train via Milan to Veranzza then walk down the hill to the ferry to Belaggio. So I am overstimulated by all the options there. We'd like a nice hotel around 100-125euro for a room with a balcony and lake view with good breakfast. Any suggestions folks? Also don't know if we need to stay right in Bellagio or across the lake in Menaggio for a cheaper room. We are thinking of two nights in lake comom somewhere then train to Florence for a mere last night then train to Pisa for flight home at 1pm. Think is is a crime to only have 16 hours in Florence or should be just hunker down in Como for all three nights and make a run for Pisa the day we leave? Thank you all in advance for suggestions. Meg

nana5

It depends what you like and what time of the year you are traveling.If you need to slow down and rest then I would vote for Lake Como. Florence in the summer months takes a lot of patience to battle the crowds. If you just have 16 hours,don't bother. This city filled with culture needs more than that to "see". If you decide to make a run for it,make sure you have gone on-line and have tickets for the main galleries and museums.

adrienne

To get to Bellagio from Milan you take a train to VARENNA, not Veranzza.

yestravel

We stayed in a nice place in Bellagio, Il Perlo Panorama.
http://www.ilperlo.com/en It was a nice basic hotel with a good breakfast. Its up on a hill with fabulous views. Its about a 15-20 minute walk into town proper, but they do run a shuttle. Not sure how often as we walked.

I agree with nana5, skip Florence

Jean

Not Veranzza. Train from Milano Centrale to Varenna Esino.

Where will you be before Lake Como?

I agree with nana5 that a few hours in Florence might not be worth the effort in crowded high season. It's 4 hours from Varenna to Florence. Have you been to Florence before?

But you do need to be somewhere closer to Pisa on the last night. Maybe the Cinque Terre would be a better choice than Lake Como...

rbnwdln

We just returned from Lake Como and if you've never been - go! We stayed in Bellagio and visited the other towns on the lake and our whole family agreed that Bellagio was the best choice for a place to stay. We paid 135 euros for a one bedroom apartment at Residence La Limonera. Tiny view of the lake from the little balcony. LOVED IT!

macdogmom

Stayed at the Hotel Du Lac in Varenna and had a wonderful three nights there. It was beautiful and I liked Varenna's atmosphere more than Bellagio. We ferried over there for the day and ended up walking over the hill to get away from the touristy feel of Bellagio and ate lunch at a small restaurant on a marina where we were the only Americans.

rbnwdln

I have read several times people referring to Bellagio as being touristy and certainly it caters to visitors, but I have to say that our visit last week, in mid-June was one of the most tranquil and un-touristy of our trip. Perhaps July and August it is overrun with tourists, but we often were the only ones strolling the waterfront in the evenings.

Ralstonlan

We LOVE the Hotel FLorence in Bellagio. We've stayed there on three seperate occasions and have always been thrilled with our room. Gorgeous views from the floor to ceiling doors that open to a small balcony. Very reasonable rates.
Their restaurant across the street is a wonderful place for an outside lunch.