Chism

IS IT WORTH RENTING A CAR AND DRIVING TO LAKE MAGGIORE FROM MILAN AND SPENDING THE NIGHT ? WE THOUGHT WE'D DRIVE UP THE LAKE ROAD AND TAKE OUR TIME. WOULD A TRAIN BE JUST AS GOOD? OR BETTER? FROM THERE WILL TAKE A TRIN TO FLORENCE.

Triptyme

Trains are so easy in Italy, my vote is to take the train and enjoy the countryside.

StCirq

I can't imagine visiting the lake district of Italy without a car, because the whole idea is to wander around the lake towns and stop here and there when fancy strikes. But if you're just going for a day that doesn't really matter so much. Where are you planning to take the train to?

And please don't post in all caps unless you are handicapped - it's considered "shouting" on the internet.

bayguy

If you're just spending one night, I'd take the train. We stayed in Stresa and enjoyed walking around the town and the ferries to the lake islands leave from there as well.

It's a short train ride from Milan.

PalenQ

I can't imagine visiting the lake district of Italy without a car, because the whole idea is to wander around the lake towns and stop here and there when fancy strikes>

Well the lake boats IMO are the best way to experience the lake and its towns and sites along it - there are frequent boat services and you can buy a day pass. Take a train to Stresa from Milan - about an hour or so and use Stresa as a base and then hop over to the just off Stresa three Borromean (sp?) islands, each of the three having a different but pleasant surprise on it - an old palace, nice gardens, an ancient fishing village, etc. You cannot drive to these islands, which are the absolute highlight of Lake Maggiore IMO.

And driving means fending for parking and on tedious roads along the shore that do not often yield a view of the lake itself - no the best way IMO to experience this lake and other Italian lakes is not by car but by boat.

Chism

Thanks everyone!

PalenQ

Stresa, Italy - Tourist Information and Hotels
www.stresa.com/ - Block all www.stresa.com results
Its beautiful countryside, architectural gems and mild climate combine to make Stresa one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy. The Borromean Islands.

I really loved Stresa - the train station is a short walk from everything and the Borromean Islands lovingly lie just offshore - check out the Stresa Tourist Office website for lots on these delightful islands!

Eschew

Train for sure. You can always hire a car (with local guide as driver) just for a scenic lake drive.

PalenQ

the lake is more scenic IMO from the lake than from congested roads along the lake - from the boat you can see the nice towns on the coast - by car you only see, at points the lake - IMO this is one place where you should not go by car because every point of interest is easily accessible by boat.