Cavangal

I have been to Italy on several trips, Rome, Florence, Lake Garda, Lake Como and Sicily. First trip was with family to Lake Garda. Taken other trips independently and did day trips using public transportation.

I have been looking at UK escorted tours to Lake Maggiore which includes several day trips based at a good hotel in Baveno. The price includes R/T flights from UK to Milan. I would ask for a land package only and book my flights from US to Dublin and take flight from there to Milan. I looked at map and Baveno is not too far from Milan airport and as far as I can see there is a bus from the airport which takes about 90 mins. Anyone familiar with Baveno? Not sure if I would be better off booking the tour which includes breakfast and dinner plus sightseeing tours, or if this trip might be manageable and cost less if I decide to just book the hotel or another hotel in Baveno and book day trips using the bus operators covering the sightseeing areas. I would plan travel between late August or first week of September. There are several popular UK tour companies offering escorted holidays to Lake Maggiore. One of the reasons I might consider the escorted tour is not having the hassle of carrying luggage on and off buses and trains or escalators. Appreciate any suggestions. Thank you.

StCirq

I simply cannot imagine having to have an escorted tour of Lago Maggiore. What's the point? It's a lake. There are towns along it. There are train stations to get you there. You can easily hop on boats to take you from town to town or island to island. Baveno is not the ideal locale. You'd be better off in Stresa or thereabouts. I wouldn't trust a tour company to provide me with breakfast and dinners I could easily manage on my own. Once there you could, I suppose, use local tour companies to ferry you around, but what's the point? You can do it all on your own.

Flights from the UK to Milan are dirt cheap on Easy Jet and other low-cost carriers. It's only a short, chep hop to Stresa on a train from Milan.

Late August is arguably the worst time to travel anywhere in Europe.

If hauling luggage is one of your biggest concerns, the problem is the luggage, not other factors. Pack light.

Cavangal

Many thanks St.Cirq for speedy response and I agree totally as I have made most of my journeys to European countries independently without any problem. The tour I looked at offered accommodation at a good hotel with breakfast and dinner in hotel dining room. I will now begin looking at the hotels in the location you mentioned. It would be convenient for me if there is a shuttle from Milan airport going to the area and I can look at the day tours being offered in the package and very likely I can go to all the places by bus, ferry or train

Last summer I enjoyed Cornwall after reading about a day tour to Isles of Scilly from Penzance which was listed on escorted tour. The tour was sold out when I contacted the company but I phoned the Ferry line and booked my ticket easily. Got a hotel in Penzance. It was a lovely day trip and at St. Marys I was able to walk to the Old Town and so many places before my return journey.
I appreciate your suggestions which I will follow as I know when one is on a tour you are more restricted and not given much time to enjoy some places.

StCirq

Cavangal, it is very easy to take a train from Stazione Centrale in Milan to Stresa. Takes under an hour and you land pretty much in the middle of town, close to hotels, the main piazza, restaurants, and shops, plus the quais from where the boats take you out to the Borromean Islands and to other towns on the lake. I don't think you need day tours. And there is a nice selection of hotels, but book now because it will be busy in August.

We spent two weeks in Cornwall and Bath and Bristol and Exeter last spring, too, basing in Penzance for a few days, and agree that it is a lovely part of the world.

thursdaysd

You can take a train from Malpensa to Stresa with one change, usually at Milano Centrale.

I have been to Lake Maggiore twice, and cannot imagine needing a day tour. Just use the ferry timetable: Timetables search Maggiore Lake

For my second visit see: https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...-on-an-island/

Cavangal

Many thanks to all and I'm now confident I will be able to do the sightseeing and enjoy Lake Maggiore as long as hotel is central and close to transportation. If last week of August is busiest season can go first week September as long as I get there while weather is pleasant. Must begin shopping for flights and hotels. I loved Lake Como and Lake Garda. Greatly appreciate all the help offered to me.

StCirq

Be sue to visit the store La Cambusa on the via Cavour in Stresa, just north of the main piazza. Amazing store with shelves packed with local delicacies.

annhig

Here's another vote for doing Maggiore by yourself. We had a lovely time there [about 30 years ago!] using the boats to get around and local buses and trains to go further afield.

And it's very nice to read that you enjoyed Cornwall. [which is where I live].

dreamon

There is a bus from Malpensa airport to Lake Maggiore (http://www.safduemila.com/alibus-201...omaggiore.html). I haven't used it yet but plan to later this year. You need to book tickets at least a day in advance (maybe more if busy - I don't know).

Dukey1

If you can swing it, stay in one of those several hotels in Stresa which overlook the lake. It is an easy walk from most, if not all, of them to the ferry dock for travels to other towns/villages as well as into the main part of the town itself for the restaurants and shops, etc. The train station is on the hill above the lakeside. You can walk from there to the hotel or simply get a taxi. I would not do any sort of guided anything.

Cavangal

Further to my earlier post in planning trip to Lake Maggiore, I have been checking on Stesa and pleased there is a good choice of hotels there, some reasonable and getting excellent reviews and having Lake view. Considering Hotel SANI which is central and looks like a good tourist hotel. I am happy that I got so much support to do the trip independently and I can enjoy several nice days and hope to go to Lake Como on a day trip as enjoyed it so much in recent years. If its possible to go there on a ferry will book ticket in advance. Easy Jet has good deals and lots of flights to Milan . I will arrive into Dublin so have to book a ticket to Milan on Aer Lingus. I might make another stop in Italy perhaps 2 days Rome if I can get it sorted.
I am go glad I did not book the escorted tour which was expensive and this way I will be able to enjoy more places and stay a few extra days. Thank you to all for your help.

thursdaysd

The lakes are not connected. You would take the train back to Milan and then another train to Como or Varenna. For schedules see bahn.de or trenitalia.it.

kelsey22

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