Hi - so I will be staying in Como for a few days this fall and my mom would really like to visit Switzerland by lake. So anyone know how much of a pain that would be and if it is doable w/o a car? I am not committed to Locarno but that seems to be the easiest town to visit b/c we could do alot on the boat on Lake Lugano...suggestions? Thanks

Don't mix up Locarno and Lugano - two separate places. Locarno is far from Como and Lugano is near.

BTW, Lake Lugano is my favorite of all The Lakes.

Lugano is an hour by bus from Menaggio---Locarno is too far.

If you're staying in Como, you can take the train to Lugano. It's takes about an hour, most of the time just sitting at the border. A very easy trip. And a very enjoyable day in Lugano. Take the funicular down to the lake and take a boat ride.

oops...just looked at the map again - I screwed up the Lugano/Locarno thing Lugano seems like a nice way to go...thanks for the suggestions

Hi Kelly - Alternatively you can reach Lugano by bus from Menaggio if you're staying in the mid-lake region (- Menaggio/Bellagio/Varenna).

Journey time is about 1 hr.

For the current bus timetable go to:

http://www.sptlinea.it/pdf/estivo_2007/C12_C16.pdf

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Hi Steve - thanks for the input - I am staying in Como. I looked at the bus option...I am kind of into that but Dad was less excited...I think train just sounds less complicated to him Well probably try and do the train to Lugano from Como. Have you been to both lakes? Is it worth the trip or would we be better off spending all our time riding around on Lake Como? We'll only be there 3 days. Thanks for any suggestions

We spent three full days in Como this summer We spent the first day riding the ferry around the lake. We didn't plan this part too well. Learn to read the boat schedule and read thru threads here, but I would make sure to spend some time in Bellagio.

The second day we took the train to Lugano. We left around 9am, walked around Lugano, shopped, bought stuff for a picnic at the market and then ate on a bench overlooking the lake.

The third day we spent doing family tree research and then took the rapid ferry from the far end of the lake (Colico) back to Como.

Don't forget to explore Como. While not as quaint as Bellagio, we loved it.
The Duomo is beautiful. We found what is so far our favorite gelateria. And there is a pizza place near the boat dock I think was called La Riva we just loved.

Where are you staying?

Here is a link to the pictures I took this summer. Como and Lugano are near the end.

http://picasaweb.google.com/connallyfamily

Hi GranthamMommy - We are staying at Albergo Del Ducca...it is not on the water...I think it is about a 5 min. walk and is in a piazza in town. I found it on here. Thanks for the additional details