Thanks for everyone's input. We will take it to a vote on where to stay in Bellagio. Staying at a place(Silvio's) that has such a wonderful restaurant is very appealing but will consider everyone's caution about staying so far from town. But to continue with the last two postings; I'd be very interested in your advice since we are also taking a train from Zurich to Como and want to end up at Bellagio.

If you want to save money on your train fare, check the www.sbb.ch site on a regular basis. They run some very cheap specials...you pay with your credit card and print out the ticket yourself. For example, the current deal is for a Zurich to Locarno ticket for 14 Sfr. They often run a similar special from Zurich to Lugano as well...so you would only need to buy a ticket from Lugano to Como (no train changes) and you could buy that ticket in Zurich.

this is great info on the train - thanks! taffy, as i get info in the coming weeks, i'll share...

LaPergola and Pescallo look delightful. Can anyone describe in greater detail the walk from the boatdock in Bellagio? How hilly is it? How long does it take? Is it a walking path or alongside a road? Thanks. J.

You walk up the hill as if you're going to the Bevedere. Near the crest of the hill on Via Garibaldi (before you reach the Belvedere and the just before the road becomes the Via Valassina) there is a pedestrian path called the Salita Cappuccini. You can take that down to Pescallo OR you can continue along the Via Valassini past the Belvedere and around down to Pescallo.
If you have very little luggage and like walking, it's ok. Otherwise it's a little hilly to manage luggage and the salita in central Bellagio and the Salita Cappuccini involve bumping along some steps (or taking the longer roads around). It's not a huge distance and these are hills, not mountains, but if I were arriving with any luggage, I'd take a taxi to the hotel and then walk everywhere after that.

Thank you, Btike. Can you estimate how long the walk is? J.

It took me about half an hour but that's because I was meandering, looking in shop windows, admiring the view. I imagine a "serious" walker could do it in 15 minutes, maybe less--anybody else want to guess?

I think I'll stick with your estimate, BTike, as I'm a meanderer myself. J.

The walk up from the boat dock to the Belvedere hotel took us no more than 10 minutes, possibly even less. But we are serious walkers and only had carry-on baggage.

The hill isn't a problem if you don't have luggage.

Several years ago before going to Bellagio for the first time, I was "researching hotels" here. The Belvedere was a strong contender. But there was a troubling post from someone whe stayed there. If I remember right the problem was that one night after dinner returning up the hill to the Belvedere, she stepped on something uneven on the "path" and broke or badly sprained her ankle. Several others seem to agree that it is a dark path and you have to be careful. I have no idea if lights have been added, or how serious a problem that could be.

Patrick:

I would describe it as a road as opposed to a path. My objection to the Belvedere, and I think you voiced this opinion in the past, is that it is uphill hike from the ferry/piazza and somewhat removed from the center of activity. This, however, may be construed as a plus to some people.

jmw44,

My trip report includes an account of our walk from Bellagio to Pescallo passing by the Belvedere. The full report is over-long but if you go to the posting dated 13 April you'll find the relevant part. Here's a link;

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...en_name=JJBhoy

Hope this helps,

Jim

Thank you very much, Jim! I copied your descriptive notes regarding the walk "to the other side", and enjoyed reading the rest of your trip report as well. If anyone here has missed it, as I did, I do recommend a look. J.

You can either walk up to the Belvedere via a winding road, or walk up a more direct (but more steep) path through a sort of park.