Thanks Jean, I'm inclined to agree. I'm sure I'll find an infinite number of pretty spots around the Lake itself to stage my birthday luncheon. Varenna looks gorgeous.

I'm sidling towards Cinque Terre for two nights in between my Bellagio and Florence leg instead (trimming two days off my final 7 in Perugia). I feel like this gives me a very varied itinerary, yet still doesn't appear outrageously rushed. Do ya'll think two nights in Cinque Terre (Riomaggiore/Vernazza focus) is sufficient?

Hi, Aussie, I didn't even think about an Italian busline service. Why not see if you can locate a full schedule for them before you absolutely give up. It's possible that they'll have more choices. It would be a shame to despair if there actually were bus possibilities to Lugano. Someone here can surely point you to the website for that bus company's schedule. J.

http://www.sptlinea.it/pdf/C12.pdf

I couldn't resist; try this and see if you can make sense out of the schedule pages. Certainly seems like there are possibilities, though different options will likely occur on different days. As I said, a savy Italiophile (I made that up) will be able to help you sort through. I'll be looking in, because I do hope to make the daytrip in reverse someday. J.

Is this my third post in a row? Scanning your thread from the beginning, I see that Jim pointed you to the correct busline early on. Apologies to Jim and Jean and whoever is thinking "doesn't that woman know about anything that isn't Swiss?" well not much, obviously. J.

Thanks for the sequence of responses jmw! Yeah the bus schedules from the Italian quarter look as if they'd easily accommodate a day trip. I may look into it once there if I find myself with a burning desire/free time, but for now I'm looking to re-direct my interest to fair Italia. :) Cinque Terre is winning me over as the last leg yet to be confirmed on my way back down but I fear October will be rainy.

Hi, I'm planning a tenth anniversary trip in 2006, that includes 2 nights in Lugano. I thought it would be fun to be in a place that has a train to one mountain top and a cable gondola to another. Am I wrong? Thanks, Phil

Hello AM:

I am planning a brief trip to Bellagio this summer. I am looking at a train from Milano Centrale to Como, then the fast boat (hydrofoil I believe) to Bellagio. Someone in this thread mentioned the link for the Como boat schedule and here it is:

http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/itali...indicecomo.htm

With respect to Lugano, I go as often as I can. The combination of Italian attitude and Swiss efficiency makes for great relaxation. BTW, there are at least two funiculars to mountain tops overlooking the lake and the city, with restaurants atop the mountains. My favorite is the one (name escapes) near the section called Paridiso. Good luck. Gradyghost

Another option no one has mentioned to get from Como to Bellagio is by bus. I was once in Bellagio in October. We arrived in Como and then took a bus to Bellagio. It was a very scenic drive. I remember stepping off the bus in Bellagio and gasping at the beauty! You'll just love it!

For some that bus may be the best choice, but one point, wantagig. If you had been on the boat from Como to Bellagio, you would have been gasping long before your arrival in Bellagio!

Hello Patrick:

Your comment reinforces my choice. Thanks for that. Gradyghost