mister_e

i fly to bergamo next week.fly back the next day an night.
is it possible just to spend a day in milan.then take an early morning train to como or bellagio or stresa and come back to bergamo by 7?i had this ambitious plan to take the train from dorodossomo(??)(how to get there?)to locarno.take the boat back to stresa.the isles are closed now.then come back to bergamo.
or go to como.wander around by bus or boat to catch a glimpse of the lake..go up to bellagio and if possible return to bergamo by seven.is either at all possible?
please help..is it worth going to lake como now?
my girlfriend dislikes museums.hence the thought of a lightning twin trip.
cheers
sam

Steve_James

Sam - Logistically Lake Como is much the easier plan.

- One option would be to train from Milan to VARENNA and spend in the day in the central lake area - Varenna, Bellagio & Menaggio.

You would then ferry back to Varenna and return by train to BERGAMO from there.

[There's a 16.22 train from Varenna which gets you back to BERGAMO at 17.50 with a change of train in LECCO]

.....

- A second option would be train from Milan to COMO city.

From there you could take the bus or fast ferry up to Menaggio or Bellagio - and again return to Bergamo from Varenna as above.

.....

For train times from Milano Centrale to Varenna or Como S. Giovanni:

www.trenitalia.it

For train times from Milano Cadorna to Come Lago go to:

http://www.ferrovienord.it/tamtam/index.htm

You can find ferry timetables on:

http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/itali...indicecomo.htm

Let me know if I can be of more helps ...

Steve

Steve_James

ttt for Sam

GAC

Beware that the train line between Lecco and Varenna is interrupted at Fiumelatte, just south of Varenna, due to a rockslide which crushed part of the small station at Fiumelatte. Check the Trenitalia website for developments.

mister_e

thanks steve.wondered if it might be sensible to do it the other way round.spending the night in bellagio...but seeing the rockslide...hmmm

mister_e

steve..oops..shd have added..
any reccomendations fr a not too pricey mid range hotel in bellagio?or a conveniently placed one in milan as the uncertainties reign bigtime
gac..thanks to you too mate

mister_e

uh oh...been reading up.seems everything shuts around como and the lakes in october.any point going there if i am not driving?(definitely the last question

Steve_James

Thanks for posting that, GAC. Have you seen an update anywhere? The local paper says it should be open and back to normal within 72 hours (.. of 14/11) - so today, presumably.

Sam - When are you going? It looks like the service should be resumed soon.

For now there is a substitute bus service between Varenna and Lecco - so you shouldn't have a problem either way. (Just allow more time ...)

[As a last resort you could take a taxi between Varenna and Lecco ...]

...

Everything shuts around Como?

Well - the main attraction is the sheer beauty of the lake itself - so unless you're only going to spend the day in shops, it really won't affect you.

Bellagio and Varenna will be quiet, but I went to Menaggio in mid winter and found everything open - and all the better for the lack of tourist crowds.

As for Como itself, it's a busy commuter town and certainly not just a seasonal resort - so you'll find everything open there.

Go for it! You won't be disappointed

Hope this helps ...

Steve

P.S I suggest you re-post a new question re. hotels. You'll get lots of suggestion ...

mister_e

thank you fr all ur help.went first to milano.took train to como. the small market and the lovely church was a nice experience.then the bus to bellagio.spent the morning in bellagio and afternoon in varenna.everything was practically shut.but the lack of tourists made the places more special.it wasnt cold and there was sun.shame had no time fr menaggio.took train to bergamo.and flew(groan)back.

Steve_James

Glad you had a good trip.
I think Lake Como in winter is magical (- especially with snow on the tops).

It sounds like your train journey back went without a hitch after all

Steve

P.S You'll have to keep Menaggio for next trip ...