Gargnano vs Bellagio (Lake Garda vs Lake Como)
 

Hello!

My fiancé and I are traveling to Italy for our honeymoon and will be spending the first four nights in the Italian Lake District. We are flying into Milan (get in around noon) and are traveling to the lake via public transportation (trains/buses/ferries).

Currently we are trying to decide between traveling to Lake Como (the town of Bellagio, Residence La Limonera) or Lake Garda (the town of Gargnano, Hotel du Lac). I am having a lot of trouble deciding between the two options.

We are medical students without a huge budget, so finding the right hotel (romantic, clean, good view but not too spend) has been a bit limiting, but I like both of the options I have found.

I am now torn between the two! We like good food, pretty walks and a bit of sight seeing.

I know that Bellagio is supposed to be one of the prettiest places in Europe, but I am a bit turned off by all of the reports of how touristy (particularly American-touristy) the area has become. I love the hotel I have found in Gargnano, and think the town looks quite cute, but I am afraid that we are missing out on Lake Como.

We would like to take day trips to different locations along with spending some time relaxing.

I would love any input on the atmosphere of the two areas along with the possibilities for day trips to other places.

Additionally if anyone has advice on great hotels or B&Bs under 150 Euros a night in the lake district, that would also be fabulous!

We are traveling the second week of May.

Thanks a bunch!

Bellagio wins. We have spent time on both lakes and continue to return to Bellagio. If staying at La Limonera, you will be at the top of the town, away from the waterfront hordes of day trippers.
You will ise the ferry sustem for your day trips. Visit Lenno and then get on a little water taxi to see Villa Balbaniello. Or , skip the water taxi and walk there.
Another day go to Varenna, or across rhe lake to Villa Carlotta. Many choices and someasy by ferry in the mid section of the lake.

I agree---Bellagio wins.
La Limonera is hard to beat for value and location.

As soon as I read that you were using only public trans to reach either destination, Bellagio won hands down. But I also think the scenery in mid-Lake Como is nicer than mid-Lake Garda.

Would you feel better if all the tourists were from some OTHER country? Well, be careful what you wish for because you may find that to be the very case.

Bellagio has BEEN filled with visitors for some time now. Perhaps you have looked for a hotel over in Menaggio which tends to be a lot quieter yet is only a short ferry ride from both your rail drop point and Bellagio. You can always retreat there or to Varenna as suggested above.

There are MANY options for walks and sightseeing around Lake Como and I agree that the transportation overall is much more convenient than you'll find on Lake Garda.

"I know that Bellagio is supposed to be one of the prettiest places in Europe, but I am a bit turned off by all of the reports of how touristy (particularly American-touristy)...."

1. Bellagio is not prettier than dozens of similar villages around the big and medium sized North Italian Lakes (Lake Orta, Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano, Lake Como, Lake Iseo, Lake Garda).

2. You are right, Bellagio is THE favourite of Americans and Asians (not of Europeans, however).

The biggest networks of well signmarked hiking trails can be found around Lake Lugano and around Lake Maggiore north of Arona/Laveno. The best (among the not particularly strenous) hikiing trails around Lake Como are between Como and Menaggio.

As bases for day trips: check railway/bus hubs like Lugano, Verbania Intra, Laveno, Como, Desenzano, Peschiera.... according to the area you plan to visit.

May is not season and it should be very easy to find accommodation below 150 USD/night with breakfast. Have a look at www.booking.com and be aware that the cheaper rooms rented by restaurant keepers etc. cannot be found at booking.