Cernobbio: Lay of the Land
 

I've been virtually "flying" over Cernobbio on Google Earth and can't come up with an answer to a nagging question: Is there a town center? If yes, is it a long walk from the dock?

There's only a small center of town, but the dock for the ferry is right there.

The layout of Cernobbio may not be what you might imagine. Most of the shopping and eating takes place just north of Piazza Mazzini. "Old Town" is just a short walk north from the ferry dock. If you want to see precisely where the dock is located, Google "Navigazione Lago di Como, Gestione Governativa, Piazza Risorgimento, Cernobbio.

I went back on Google Earth, following your instructions NYCFoodSnob. I ended up in the same place as yesterday, which is Piazza Mazzini (roundabout).

I think we'll skip Cernobbio. Thank you for clearing this up for me.

I never know what to say about someone experiencing different results with Google. Usually, it's a browser issue. I use Firefox (mostly), and the dock location comes up on the map and the satellite versions.

IMO, Cernobbio is not a must-see city. The area near the lake is spread out and almost suburban/park like (except for Old Town), and you really need a car to explore higher elevations. There are some beautiful homes, but I already own a beautiful home, so viewing other people's houses is not a favorite pastime of mine. I find that activity tacky.

We stayed in Cernobbio our last night of a May 2012 trip. Mostly to make it slightly easier to get to the airport early the next morning, and, I wanted to see the Villa Olmo exhibit as well as the Concorso d'Eleganza.

It was nice enough but not a place I'd clamor to run back for a visit (other than to see the above in different years). It's not the prettiest part of Lake Como.

Thanks, flygirl. We leave on Wednesday: Venice, Lago di Garda, Lago di Como, Lago Maggiore.

Hope the weather cooperates!

Very nice! Where are you staying on Lake Garda?

Hotel La Vittoria, right on the lake in the town of Garda. Photos and reviews are good - we'll see.