Hi,

I am struggling with my itinerary to Italy. We are a couple quite active and love to add some hiking to the Villas and museums. We have a total of 9 days, I will have a car and we are planning to see Venice and then the lake area. Our budget is mid-range since we are splurging in Venice.

The plan so far is:

Venice - 3 days.
Verona and Lake Garda - 2 days
Lake Como - 4 days

Do you think this is the right mix.

I am not sure about activities in the Verona and Lake Garda area and haven't been able to figure out where to stay so any help would be really appreciated.

Also, what would you recommend as the place to stay in Como. I am thinking of Veranna as the base and would like to spend around 100 euros/night for hotel or apartment.

Thanks a lot for your help,

Plan is pretty good.

For Varenna at 100 euro per night, look at Albergo Olivedo. Typically they quote their rates with dinner included. I don't know if it will be 100 euro but considering that dinner is included the adjusted cost might be.

You might want to review your itinerary remembering that the days that you are moving from location to location are kind of 'lost days'.
Also jet lag might make your arrival day a 'lost day' as well.

I assume you'll rent the car upon leaving Venice. I love Verona, but coming right after Venice, it might be anticlimactic.

Will you be returning from Venice? If so hit Verona last. I'd drop Lake Garda - the nicest part of the lake is the northern end and there's not enough time IMO.

To best tour The Lakes area, you'd want to be on the west side of Lake Como, namely Menaggio. Be sure to spend time on Lake Lugano, the most scenic of them all IMO.

Big_red. Thanks a lot. I checked Albergo Milano, great choice its perfect.

Tuck. I agree with the idea of dropping Lake Garda especially if it wont be possible to get to the nice part. You suggested that Menaggio is better for touring. Would you suggest that I should use Menaggio as the base instead of Verrana.

Apartments in the middle of Bellagio (including free parking):

www.residencelalimonera.com

you might enjoy some light hiking in the Cinque Terre area

karore... if you look at a map, you'll see that Lake Lugano sits between Lakes Como and Maggiore. We spent a week in Lugano and easily reached the other lakes including Lake Orta (Orta San Giulio was a highlight). The towns of Gandria and Morcote should be included on your agenda.

Also highly recommended is a daytrip to the scenic mountain village of Soglio, just over the Swiss border at the northern end of Lake Como.

What is the best place to stay in lake Lugano area. Since its close to Como can we take day trips to the area.

There are many options in that area.

When you refer to "Como", I hope you don't refer to the town - I wouldn't recommend that...

Just wanted to reaffirm your choice of Albergo Milano. My husband and I stayed there for the first three nights of our honeymoon, and we fell in love with the hotel and the city. You definitely won't regret it! Check out yummy Il Cavatappi for dinner one night - but make reservations early!

By Como I meant the lake, I am thinking of Veranna in that area.

I did check Albergo Milano, your appreciation is well founded the place is sold out for September.

In Varenna I have found hotel Del Sol and Olivedo. Any information on these hotels will be much appreciated.

I will have a carl is parking a problem in Veranna.

We have stayed at the Albergo Olivedo twice. We think that it is fine. There is no elevator and all rooms are two floors or more up. Others on this forum have said that the beds are too hard. The owner/manager is Laura and at times, she is a woman of few words.

There is parking in front of the hotel, but that is public parking, not controlled by the hotel.