vincenzo32951

I've been to Venice and the Lake Como area but never driven between them; thus, my question:

Our plan is to fly into Venice, stay maybe 3 nights at a hotel, then rent a car and drive to the Lake district, where we'll rent an apartment for about 4 nights. Then we'll drive back to Venice and fly out. My research indicates the driving time is about 3.5 hours one way.

I looked into flying into or out of Milan, but that's not going to work, for a number of reasons, and going into and out of Venice is really the only practical approach for us. The flight out of Venice is 11:30 am, so we may have to drive to Venice the day before. If so, we probably would stay at a hotel near the airport, take the bus into Venice for a stroll and dinner, and then return to the hotel.

So, the question is: Have you ever made the drive between Venice and Como? If so, were there any special difficulties I should be aware of? Also, can you recommend a nice place to stop for lunch or dinner?

Michael

The drive is autostrada all the way unless you choose not to drive it. I did not find it particularly fast (60 to 70 mph), perhaps because traffic is fairly heavy in the Po valley. Lago di Garda would be closer than Lake Como.

bobthenavigator

It depends on where you stay at Lago Como. The drive is not hard but A-4 is full of trucks and traffic and not much fun.

Unless you have specific plans for day trips to perhaps Lugano or Bergamo I would forget the car and stay in Varenna and see the Como region from there by ferry.

vincenzo32951

Michael: Garda is a possibility. Do you prefer it over Como? Or is there little difference?

bob: I was thinking of day trips, though I didn't mention it. You like Varenna?

drchris

Just curious whether you have considered taking the train? It takes a bit longer but would likely be much less expensive than a car rental.

Michael

<i>Garda is a possibility. Do you prefer it over Como? Or is there little difference?</i>

It depends on what one wants to do. My impression is that the Lake Como area has more formal gardens that can be visited. But if it's the lake/mountain combination offering car touring that is the primary attraction, either one would fit the bill.

neckervd

Lake Garda is beautiful, and much closer to Venice. The 5 best known North Italian lakes are all beautiful, but each one is different. A objective comparison is not possible, it's rather a matter of personal preference.

nochblad

When are you traveling?

Holly_uncasdewar

Rather than overnight near the airport in Venice for your last night, why not spend that night in Padova? The Majestic Toscanelli is a lovely small hotel right in the center, and there are some great places to eat in that town. You’d still have plenty of time to get to the airport the next morning.

vincenzo32951

drchris: Most times I do take the train, but the car just seems more convenient in this case, especially since we want to take some day trips in the lakes region.

noch: Late spring.

Holly: Thanks. We were thinking that maybe we could squeeze in one more night in Venice, but maybe Padova would be a nice change. Will strongly consider it.

Michael

If deciding on Lake Como, consider this place: http://www.ilperlo.com/room-on-lake-como-bellagio/ We stayed there, didn't have that view but still liked it, and they had free parking.