Como: I don't get the attraction
 

Living in Switzerland, I've never met a local who has made Lake Como their honeymoon destination. In fact, it's really just viewed as a nice place but it doesn't top any lists. Bellagio is not easily accessible and doesn't offer more of a wow factor than Lugano or Ascona.

I wonder if this is an American thing?

I'm American, and although I've only seen a small part of Lake Como, it wouldn't be my choice either.

But then again, I honeymooned in...get this...Disneyland, CA - 40 years ago, My husband couldn't believe that I'd never been and we didn't have money for anything more exotic. It was fun for a couple in their early twenties, so maybe Lake Como has the same appeal to young people who haven't traveled much.

When I lived in Perth, Australia, I didn't understand why droves of Singaporians would fly over to have their wedding photos taken in front of a difficult to access boat shed on the shores of the Swan River. But times have changed - we could barely afford a photographer at our wedding let alone consider a pre-wedding photo shoot.

Is it something akin to not wanting to visit somewhere too similar to where they're from? I live 1/4 mile from the beach. I'm at the beach at least 200 days a year, whether beaching, walking, running, taking photos. I will never ever travel to go to a beach anywhere. I don't care how nice other people think it is, I can do that at home.

Well, I don't "get" destination weddings either. But it's not about me.

My philosophy is "You do you. I'll do me." Everyone wins....

IME/IMO its more a 'fame' thing than an 'American thing'. Just like in Scotland . . . 90 % of first timers place Loch Ness on their lists of musts. That's because its the famous one -- maybe its the only Scottish loch they've ever heard of. Loch Ness isn't even on the top 20 list of scenic lochs (probably not even on the to 50)

Most travelers to Italy have heard of Lake Como whereas a big % won't know of any others.

A big benefit of the community knowledge on Fodors is we can tell them about other more 'fabulous-er' options.

Wow. I didn’t realize that the reasons I really enjoyed my time at Lake Como were that I am an American who hasn’t traveled much and that I didn’t do enough research on this forum to find a place that was more fabulous-er. Dumb me just thought it was beautiful and uncrowded with a lot of fun things to do. Plus it was very convenient to drive to and park for free right in front of our hotel. Thanks for enlightening me.

"I wonder if this is an American thing"....What do you mean by this, kleeblatt?

For me, it is a beauty thing:
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...96a389764e.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8b78f6357f.jpg
Both of these shots taken from the ferry.

FWIW, most of my travel guidance comes from Eyewitness. Here's a quote about them from online:
"Dorling Kindersley Limited is a British multinational publishing company specialising in illustrated reference books for adults and children in 63 languages. It is part of Penguin Random House, a subsidiary of German media conglomerate Bertelsmann"
So, it's a British, German, American thing, eh?

Readers of La Chartreuse de Parme might also have an affinity to Lake Como.

Personally, I didn't care for Lake Como when I briefly visited it nearly 30 years ago. The circumstances were a big factor, though. We had been in Europe for 2+ weeks and had seen nothing but grey skies and rain. We pulled into Lake Como under cloudy skies and it simply didn't feel welcoming or inviting. We got back in the car and didn't stop til we found the sun on the coast of Liguria. I'd happily return to LC for a better look, but it isn't on the top of my list.

I visited Lake Como with family for the first time last Spring. It appeared that the majority of visitors were either American, like myself, or British. We stayed in Bellagio for 4 days, sandwiched between a week in Paris and 3 days in Milan. While in Paris and Milan, the days were quite busy with sightseeing and other activities. In Bellagio, we just relaxed and enjoyed the stunning scenery and some very good food/wine. We wandered around the town, did a little shopping, visited the gardens of some beautiful villas, took a ferry across the lake to Varenna for a stroll and some gelato - you get the idea. I found that it was perfect for what we wanted, which was a little vacation from our vacation!

I'm American (not that it matters, really) and it's not on my list per se. I grew up around lakes. Hiking to them, swimming in them, picnic near them. The last thing, in general, I want to see is another darn lake (with exceptions). That does not mean that I won't ever go, it's just not a focus for me.

People want to go where they want to go. I don't understand the allure of Barcelona. But I'm not going to judge people if they want to go there, same with Como. They may not understand why I want to see Serbia, for instance, and that is perfectly fine.

Generally, what baffles me more are the folks who post: "We want to go to Milan, Lake Como, and Rome. What should we see?" If one does not already know what they want to see, why are they going? There has got to be a reason why they choose where they choose, right? Or not? Not sure.

Maybe it's an Instagram thing. I just googled and 1.7 million hits came up on Instagram.

Bellagio has been famous long before Instagram.

No one has been labelled dumb for going to Bellagio or to the Lake of Como (Comersee) in general. The area is certainly beautiful but it's not a holiday destination for many Europeans. I was merely pointing out that it's more popular for those from the US (and UK).

Maybe Rick Steves then?

https://classroom.ricksteves.com/vid...eymoon-country

"No one goes there nowadays. it's too crowded." -- Yogi Berra

My two cents worth, ever meet anybody who went to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon? Best comments --

Jean: "No one goes there nowadays. it's too crowded." -- Yogi Berra

Travel Nerd: People want to go where they want to go. I don't understand the allure of Barcelona. But I'm not going to judge people if they want to go there, same with Como. They may not understand why I want to see Serbia, for instance, and that is perfectly fine.

John183: Wow. I didn’t realize that the reasons I really enjoyed my time at Lake Como were that I am an American who hasn’t traveled much and that I didn’t do enough research on this forum to find a place that was more fabulous-er. Dumb me just thought it was beautiful and uncrowded with a lot of fun things to do. Plus it was very convenient to drive to and park for free right in front of our hotel. Thanks for enlightening me.

It is probably an American thing because of Rick Steves and the hype regarding George Clooney’s villa.

My visit there was in 1995, predating George Clooney. I’m not certain how Lake Como even came to attention, but it almost seemed mythical, like Camelot. Maybe that’s why our disappointment/lack of satisfaction was so unexpected.

>>> The area is certainly beautiful but it's not a holiday destination for many Europeans. I was merely pointing out that it's more popular for those from the US (and UK). >>>

But you started out by saying, "I don't get the attraction". I don't get the people who don't see the attraction or who say they were disappointed or those who try to analyze the reasons others have for going there and liking it.

For anyone who can see, I think the attraction is obvious. It is spectacularly beautiful and IMO, it is the most beautiful of the many lakes in northern Italy, including the two areas you mentioned. Its wondrous natural beauty is enhanced by the man made villas , the fabulous gardens and charming streets and towns, which for me have a certain quality that set it apart from other similar and undeniably beautiful lakes. Sometimes it's just a feeling you get about a certain place. People like what they like - it's no big mystery.

I first went to Lake Como back in the 70's, before Rick Steves and Instagram and George Clooney and Fodors forums, Two friends and I "discovered" it while exploring Italy. I have since returned several times and never questioned why I like it.

I don't get the attractions either, but i am glad they exist.
They serve a useful function of vacuuming most of the tourists from the places I like to visit.

We have been to Bellagio four times for up to two weeks at a time. We stay away from the tourist crowds and find it beautiful with our expansive lake views from up high.
We canceled a reservation there last year as we still feared traveling with COVID still around.

I don’t get the not getting, either! We were on Lake Como nearly 30 years ago and loved it. We stayed in Bellagio in a charming hotel with great views, took a ferry around the towns, and found it a spectacularly beautiful location. We liked it more than Lake Maggiore. We stayed on Isola dei Pescatori and our room in the hotel was next door to the church with its bells ringing all night.

To each his own. We enjoyed it and thought it a lovely location.

Perhaps it is as simple as an identifiable name to Americans? When I see/hear Bellagio, I think of the hotel with the fountains in Vegas, not actual Italy. Americans may associate with it in that way. Just a guess...

Or perhaps we just need to blame George once again for the Oceans 11 remake which featured those stinking fountains? 😉

We only stayed there for less than a day on a drive from Switzerland. I don’t remember if it was crowded, it was certainly lovely .
If one is only interested in visiting non touristy, not crowded spots, it would leave out Venice, the Hermitage, MOMA, Semana Santa, Vatican Museum , Siena, Amsterdam, The Portrait Gallery , a good chunk of Paris…etc
I still regret getting to the St Vitus Cathedral in Prague and turning away because the line was huge and “ touristy”.

I fully agree with Kleeblatt.
All bigger Lakes of Lombardy are nice as a weekend destination for people living in Switzerland, Tyrol or southernmost Germany or for hiking in winter and spring, when when the North of the Alps may be rather too cold for that.
I usually go in the Lake Maggiore area because i't easy to reach from Berne; especially in April/May, when there are thousends of blooming flowers, first white narcissus and lilies of the Valley, later rhododendron. .
Hiking is excellent in the Swiss part of the area (with tons of very well signpostetd panoramic trails, leading from bus stop to bus stop resp boat's pier or ristorante. The most lifts and mountain railways to spectacular viewpoints are in the Swiss part too..Boat rides along Lake Garda, Como, Lugano or Maggiore are very pleasant too.
Lake Como is nice, but not better than the other Lakes and more difficult to reach from the airports of MXP or ZRH than Lake Lugano or Lake Maggiore. Lake Garda is easier to reach from VRN and VCE..

When everyone figures out the Lake Como question, we can then address why people swoon over Venice while some of the same people say Florence can be seen as a day trip from Rome or during a long train connection... That is if they don't suggest skipping Florence altogether.

I will report back in 2 months.

I am going to Milan for the first time which will be my 8th time to Italy. I meant to go years ago but never made it. I don’t even know if I would have gone to Lake Como but I will be going this time. I wouldn’t call myself an inexperienced traveler either as I’ve been traveling internationally for 20 years now. I’ve checked off I think most of the must sees Italy has so now, I want to see other things and why I am going. If I am in Milan for a week, why not check it out and see it for myself.

Haha, Travel_Nerd! I also wonder why some people come on here with no information, wanting a stranger to plan their trip!

In terms of not getting the appeal of someplace, I am loosely paraphrasing, but to those who enjoy a place no explanation is necessary, to those who don't, no explanation is possible!

We are all very unique people with our own preferences, even within that, we can like different types of trips at different points in our life. It sounds like we will do a good job of keeping it all spread out, so no one place will be unbearable.
Happy travels, everyone!

We have also enjoyed time on Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore but prefer Lake Como. Staying in one place and using ferries to explore the whole lake is very relaxing instead of driving every day. . We went to Lake Como way before George Clooney bought his villa there.

Michael, I have ordered that book.

Plus, how can one make generalizations after just one visit?

I know plenty of Dutch and Belgian people who have been to lake Como and love it. Lake Garda is popular too. Why would it be an 'American thing' to visit Como? It is gorgeous, there are some wonderful hotels, it's easy to get to via Milan. Perfect for a short break. Sure there are lots of other beautiful places, it's all down to personal preference. Switzerland has some stunning places to visit, but I much prefer Italy; better food, friendlier people and less expensive. Good stop-over on the way to Italy by car though :cool:

The 3 bigger lakes along the Swiss-Italian border (Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano, Lake Como) are all nice, for sure.
But if I had only 2-3 weeks for a visit of whole italy, I would never waste my time in this area.
There is one exception, however. After a overnight flight to Milan, it might be a good idea to relax one day on Lake Maggiore, just a few miles from MXP airport.

On the other hand, the 3 Lakes are a must in a trip around Switzerland, however:
Bernina Express - Lake Como - Lake Lugano - Lake Maggiiore - Centovalli Express - Simplon Postbus - Brig/Aletsch glacier - Zermatt.........

Along the lines of neckervd, I can see that if I were working in Milan, I'd consider staying in Como as it is a smaller city (pop 489,000 versus Milan's 1.35 million) yet still within commuting distance (about 40 minutes by train plus station commutes, etc.) from Milan.
Como is also about a 2 hour bus ride from Milan Malpensa airport which is a major Italian (air) gateway. (Stresa on Lake Maggiore is about the same)

As a daytrip-to-Milan base, Varenna (Rick Steves' pick) is a bit far, but definitely suitable for a 'decompression after the flight across the Atlantic' place - it's a 3 hour commute by public transit from Mallpensa. There are easy ferry connections of short duration between the three sites of Varenna, Bellagio, and Menaggio - again, a simple, low stress, easy public transit way of spending a relaxing day.

Of course, people have their own reasons for visiting x or y, as others have pointed out. No idea what the national origin is of tourists to the area.

Lake Maggiore (Arona) is about 1 hr by train or bus from Malpensa airport, half of that by car or taxi.
Malpensa airport is 1 hr 20 min by train from Como city (St. John station or Lake station).

Lake Como is beautiful but my tip would be to hire a car so that you can explore the little villages around the lake but inland a little and off the beaten track. Not only are the prices much better but there are some real hidden gems to be discovered.

Varenna-Esino to Milano Centrale is just 1:05 hour (no change), so definitely daytrip possible IMO.

loved Varrena

Lake Como is objectively beautiful.

I am glad there are other places that are beautiful as well! Oh, to be lucky enough to get to see them all!