Planning a 2 week trip to northern Italy in May.<BR><BR>Wondering about which would be the neater of the 2 areas to visit, Lake Como or Santa Margherita area (maybe Portofino).<BR><BR>Appreciate comments.<BR><BR>Bob

With two weeks, you have time for both. I think a week on the Italian Riviera - Cinque Terre, SML, Portofino, etc. is sufficient, and then a week in the Lakes.

Our family (senior citizens to 1 year old) have stayed in Santa Margherita 4 times and Lake Como area twice. Try both for double the pleasure. Lake Como can be a Swiss or an Italian visit. There are at least 4 golf courses, one of which has 2 excellent courses where the Italian Open is played. I prefer Santa Margherita and then take the boat to Portofino as parking there is a HUGE MESS. Take the train to Riomaggio (spelling?) and walk on Via del amore north to at least the next city. This takes about 30 minutes because you stop for photos. This is the only easy part of the hike in the Cinque Terra area. Also easy walk by the sea in Genoa (half hour from Santa Margherita) It is called something like Anita Garabaldie. Both ways work with kid in stroller. We love to ask for garden setting for our dinner reservations.

Please note that Lake Como is entirely within Italy!!!!!!!!! Most of Lake Maggiore is in Italy, while most of Lake Lugano is in Canton Ticino, Switzerland.

My husband and I visited Santa Margherita about l0 years ago. We thought it was a charming little town.<BR>It would probably be less expensive to stay here then in Portofino. It's been awhile but I'm not sure if there is a train station there.<BR><BR>We walked to Portofino one day. I think it took only 1-2 hours to get there. A perfect place to have lunch. The roads are narrow but you just have to be careful especially going around the curves. We really didn't have a problem. The scenery was beautiful and plenty of places to stop and take pictures.<BR><BR>We went to Lake Como last year in October and stayed in Bellagio (southern tip of the lake). The Lake Como area was cyrstal clear. We also have been to Lake Lugano (another trip) but found it to be more modern with 5 skyscrapers being built at the time.<BR><BR>With the trains, you can do both locations. Many day trips from both areas. <BR><BR>It depends on if you want to go along the Italian and/or French Riveria? So many adorable towns to visit from either location. Santa Margherita would make a good base.<BR><BR>We've been to the French and Italian Riveria in May and it was comfortably warm. One of the good months to go for a visit.<BR><BR>Have a great trip.<BR><BR>

The "Italian Riviera" is actually divided into two distinct parts: from the French border to Genoa is the "Riviera di Ponente" (where the sun sets), while from Genova eastwards to La Spezia is the "Riviera di Levante" (where the sun rises). Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure and Rapallo (the latter two have train stations), as well as the Cinque Terre, are all on the Riviera di Levante. San Remo is on the Riviera di Ponente. <BR><BR>With respect to the previous posting, I should note that Bellagio is actually not at the southern tip of Lake Como. Instead, it is in at the tip of a peninsula jutting into the mid-Lake area (Bellagio-Menaggio-Varenna), where the Lake divides into the "arm" going southwest to the City of Como, and another "arm" going southeast to the City of Lecco. This latter part is sometimes referred to as the "Lago di Lecco."