JJBhoy

Caroline,

So sorry for the delay in replying but haven't been able to get online much for the past couple of weeks.

To be honest I couldn't remember whether or not the Metropole had carpets in the rooms but I've checked their website & it there are carpets in all of their photos (BTW, remember they "stole" my picture? It's still there!)

You've probably found these already but just in case - here are links to the official tourist office websites for each of the 3 "mid-lake" towns. Each individual site has very useful info on the accommodation available in its respective town & there are direct links to most of the hotels in the area;

http://www.bellagiolakecomo.com/inglese/italiano.html

http://www.varennaitaly.com/english.html

http://www.menaggio.com/eng/home.php

If memory serves me right the Hotel Du Lac in Bellagio has some sort of reciprocal arrangement with the local swimming pool - I imagine their website will have more details.

You'll know that there is an awful lot of debate about which town to stay in. For what it's worth my personal choice would be;

1. Bellagio
2. Menaggio
3. Varenna

Varenna was just too quiet for our tastes, although, to be fair, we were there right at the start of the season.
You don't say when you're planning on going but maybe it will be a bit livelier then - or maybe by that time you'll enjoy the peace & quiet!

The bottom line is that I would very happily stay in any of the three towns given the chance.

Jim

jcepk1

Will you be there during the week or on the weekend? We just got back and stayed at the Metropole with a terrace room. First of all, I was so happy to see the hotel so close to the ferry stop. After crazy walking in Venice, Florence and Rome, we weren't looking forward to lugging our luggage too far. So, the sign was a welcome site. On top of that, the terrace couldn't be beat. It was simply beautiful and we wish we had more time there. However, the rooms there aren't the best. Clean, yes... luxurious, nope. The location made up for all that though and the staff in the evening was very helpful (morning not so much). That being said, we were there during the week and Bellagio itself was not crowded at all and therefore, wasn't very noisey. We did hear live music one night from our room, but it added to the atmosphere. We didn't hear racing boats, screaming people, or anything like that. It was a very pleasant stay.
As for restaurants, Trattoria San Giacomo... they don't take reservations so get there when they open at 7. We didn't have a bad dish there and wanted to go back the next night, but they were closed on Tuesdays. The prices were super reasonable too. Enjoy!! I'm jealous as this was one of my favorite parts of our trip.

caroline_edinburgh

Hi Jim. Oh yes, the photo of your bag - that was funny ! Thanks for all that useful info. We would be going the 2nd week in July. I'm just wondering now whether to be put off by reading that the temperature doesn't normally exceed 25 degrees - I like to make up on holiday for the fact I'm wearing winter clothes the rest of the year ! Where we went this year was generally 28-32 and that was just right for me.

schuba

this is a great trip report.

http://www.travelswithdiane.homestea...5LakeComo.html

jbinoche

That is a very good link. The scenary in shots are so unusual and nice. Caroline and Hausfrau, you guys are lucky. Memo to self: visit Lake Como soon. Thank you for the link.

JJBhoy

Caroline,

I'm afraid that I don't really know what temperatures you should expect on Lake Como in July.

I'm sure I've read posts here referring to the heat, though. In fact, I'm pretty sure that some posters have suggested that air conditioning is a good idea unless your hotel has the benefit of lake breezes.

Maybe someone can offer some personal experience of summer temperatures?

Jim

NeoPatrick

Last year in early July it was pretty hot during the day there -- I'd say in the upper 80's in the afternoon. But we had to close the doors to the lake at the Metropole at night as it was too cool for us.

hausfrau

Just wanted to report back that our 1-night stay at the Metropole was fabulous! We had a 2nd-floor room with a tiny balcony (perfect for 2 people) and of course the most spectacular view! The room was simple and small but completely satisfactory, with a nice little tile bathroom. It was quite warm during the day but cooled off at night; we just left our balcony door open a crack. No problem with noise even on a Saturday night. Frankly I think it was a steal at 144 Euro!

We had a lovely dinner down the street at the Hotel Florence, which has the prettiest wisteria-covered terrace right on the lake. Their menu looked the most interesting of all the restaurants right along the lakefront and we were not disappointed; service was friendly and efficient and the food was very good.

Thanks to everyone for your advice, excellent as usual!

BTilke

Glad you had a great time. How soon are you moving back to the U.S.?

My favorite meal in Bellagio was at the Florence as well, the terrace is beautiful. I had the grilled trout and it was perfectly done.

ncounty

I was just there two days ago and these are my conclusions. If in Bellagio, I would stay at the metropole. If I really wanted to splurge the only thing worth spending more on is the Villa Serbelloni. Otherwise, I would stay in Varenna at the Villa Cipressi, much less expensive than the Du Lac and I couldn't see the difference. I would not stay in Menaggio. Lake Como is Stunning!!! Everyone should go see it once in your lifetime.

ComfyShoes

H, I am envious of you for being able to go to all the cool places

hausfrau

BTilke (and envious Comfy ;-) ), my European travels will sadly come to an end (at least for a while) in December of this year when we move back to the good ol' USofA.

ncounty, I thought Varenna looked wonderful although we didn't have much time to explore (we were just there to catch the ferry to Bellagio). I would definitely consider staying there if and when I go back to Lake Como.

BTilke

Hausfrau, wow that will come up fast! Will you be doing a last round of Christmas markets before you head back?
Any other places you plan to visit in the next few months?

caroline_edinburgh

My concern over leaving the balcony door open at night would be mosquitos - or don't you get them at Lake Como ?

NeoPatrick

I honestly don't recall being bothered by a single mosquito at Lake Como, but unless you sleep with a light on at night, I'm not sure why they'd be attracted to come inside anyway.

caroline_edinburgh

Now you mention it... I do sleep with a light on

NeoPatrick

Question:

If a light sleeper sleeps with a light on, what does a hard sleeper sleep with?

ComfyShoes

Lights on and eyes open. Like I am doing right now Just kidding.

ComfyShoes

Neo, It finally dawned on me what you were aiming at (I have a single digit IQ.... I am just not very bright). Just wanted to say my response had nothing to do with it. And, Gertrude (is that your name, H?), apologies for unrelated posts on your thread. That said, sleeping with eyes open does work. I know couple people who practice that during meetings. Regards.

hausfrau

Woah, I go away for half a day and all of a sudden people are sleeping with their eyes open!

Caroline, we didn't see or hear a single mosquito at Lake Como. Of course it was breezy and dry during our visit, so perhaps we were just lucky. Come to think of it, we've never had problems in Stuttgart with mosquitos and we have our doors and windows open all the time.

BTilke, DH is almost out of vaction days so we just plan to take a short trip to northern Germany this fall (DH has German ancestry and we want to visit the town where his family came from). We've visited quite a few Christmas markets in our neck of the woods and, believe it or not, Stuttgart's is one of the best!