Como, Venice,
 

We can't change the hotels but wonder about our free time (from tour) transport and area

attractions and restaurants near

Hotel Sole San Sir on Lake Como and
Residenza Cannaregio in Cannaregio Venice.
Grand HOTEL PORTOVENERE Italian Riviera
One of the Marriots in Milan but not sure which one yet.

Also, we booked the viewing of the Last Supper online. They confirmed payment receiot
but did not confirm date and time. Anyone els bookonline and had proof of payment only?

I haven't been to San Siro on Lake Como, so I can't recommend any restaurants nearby. My guess is you'll have to go to Rezzonico or Sant'Abbondio or even as far as Menaggio (6 kms.) to find much of a selection. San Siro is pretty isolated without a car. Menaggio seems to be the nearest ferry stop. How are you getting to the hotel?

I believe Frenchwow has named hotels that are included in a tour he of she is taking and Frenchwow is seeking ideas (attractions and restaurants) nearby.

If this IS a tour, It's difficult for us to begin naming attractions since we must assume the tour covers some of the major possibilities. What kind of attractions are you hoping to learn about? What are your interests?

Thanks you confirmed my suspicion that the tour has chosen out of way hotels-at least in Como. Just looking for unusual 'not on the tour it' spots to visit and dine. Thanks

With the Hotel Sole in San Siro, this location would best be done with a rental car. Having said that, you need to see how the tour company intends to move you around (and therefore what their plans are). Obviously taxis are possible and the hotel people can tell you the bus schedule (hourly or better is my guess). If your tour is not arranging the transportation, then the first place that you want to go is the town of Menaggio. Of the towns near the Hotel Sole, Menaggio has the best boat/transportation options.

On Lake Como the primary attractions are #1) enjoying the boat rides #2) visiting one of the half dozen plus gardens (entry fee but all easily accessible, three have the homes open to the public as well) #3) visiting some of the lake-side towns where the boats call.

We are not foodies so I can't lead you to the 'better' dining options. Also, on Lake Como, the boats tend to stop their routes at dusk, so it's not really possible to have dinner across the lake from where you are. One really beautiful location, is Menaggio's Lido. Their retaurant operation is a micro-brewery, but the setting and view are really the best.

thanks, I'll write that down-Menaggio. So I guess San Siro is petty out of the way-such a shame. We will be thee on a Sat and Sunday and then on to Liguria.
The tour offers a Bellagio dinner cruise-it's with goahead tours-any comments from anyone if it is worth it?

You need to tell us what the 'tour' is and what it costs, then we can respond. Bellagio is mid-way across the lake and has some good restaurants so this is probably an interesting way to have dinner.

Do you have full-day Saturday and full-day Sunday on Lake Como or basically just Satuday night?

If the dinner cruise means you eat on the boat, I'd skip it. If it's a cruise to Bellagio and dinner in a restaurant there, which restaurant?

You could always just have a really nice lunch in Bellagio right on the edge of the lake.

I should have used the phrase 'dinner cruise' and not tour. The Goahead tours website offers no info, so you have to tell us their description of the dinner cruise.

If you are prioritizing what to do with your time at Lake Como, then spending an hour or two seeing the lake from a boat should be your highest priority. There are plenty of public boats but you have to get to Menaggio or Dongo to board one. Boat service at Dongo is not nearly as frequent(convenient) as at Menaggio.

Lake Como Cruise
Lake Como Cruise
Evening w/ dinner - $75 USD

This evening excursion begins with a scenic cruise of Lake Como. Here you’ll see some of Italy’s most genteel estates set amid splendid gardens with flowering paths leading toward the lake. This unforgettable cruise up the lake takes you past charming lake towns to lovely Bellagio—a village whose beauty has inspired poets and romantics for centuries. You’ll have time to take in Bellagio’s classic beauty before adjourning to a local restaurant, where you will sample a carefully chosen menu featuring dishes typical of the Lake Como region.

No specific restaurant mentioned unfortunately

como part of trip-not too much free time-
Day 2 - Lake Como

Touch down in Milan. A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport and assists you with your transfer to your hotel in the region of Lake Como, probably the best known of Italy's lakes due to its mountain views and magnificent villas. The rest of your afternoon is free. Meet your fellow travelers at this evening's included welcome dinner. (B in flight, D)
Day 3 - Lake Como

Your tour director introduces you to the spectacular sights of Como this morning. You'll also enjoy an included visit to Villa Carlotta (seasonal) - the most popular attraction by Lake Como. Anchored by lovely gardens and flowers, the 19th-century villa contains a copy of Canova's artistic rendering of the love between Cupid and Psyche. Later, you might opt for our Lake Como cruise and dinner. A stop in Bellagio, a breahtaking resort, is included. (B)
Lake Como Cruise $75 USD

While it might not be a bargain, the dinner cruise reads like/sounds like a good idea. They are going to get you from The Sole to wherever the cruise starts from. then you have the time on the boat and a dinner at a restaurant. US$75 is bacially 55euro, so it's not really too bad.

Villa Carlotta is a prime destination on Lake Como.

It looks like your free-time for Lake Como is on your arrival day. For that afternoon, you'll just need to see how much energy you have (Jet lag). You might just want to piddle at the hotel's lake-front area.

Again, in order to really appreciate the beauty of Lake Como you should spend an hour or two seeing it from a boat.

Thanks Big Red.