TERRY

We are planning a one night stop in the Lake Como area on our way from Milan to Zermatt. Any recommendations for places to stay? Looking for something reasonablly priced, it doesn't have to be fancy as it's only for one night. <BR>Thanks!

Nancy

Dear Debbie, <BR> <BR>I hope that you will visit this website again as I am curious about how you traveled between Austria and the Lake area of Italy. I am thinking of traveling from Salzburg either by train or car in July. I have no idea which way would be better but sense that we might want the flexiblity of having a car to visit some of the small towns. <BR>Do you have any advice? Nancy

Shelly

Hi Cheryl! I am new to this site and I am planning my first trip to Italy (and first trip out of the U.S.). We fly into Milan and after all I've read on this site, I am considering spending a day in Como or Bellagio. However, with only 15 days, is it worth the time? I am very anxious to see Venice and not sure if we should spend that extra day there? Also, are all the ferries and etc. around the lakes expensive?

Cheryl Z.

<BR>Hello - I apologize that I haven't been back to this Msg Board for a while to answer replies. Too busy, but now that we're planning another trip to Italy, I thought I'd check. Shelly, by all means if you're going to be in Milan, and have even a couple days (preferably longer) be sure to visit at least one of the lakes. I'd prefer more time on the lakes myself, over Venice, but others may differ. Boats/ferries very easy/convenient/inexpensive to use, also very scenic and fun!

ttt

<BR>ttt

marie

Dear Cheryl, <BR>Great info we are planning to go to lakes this oct for our 12th anniversary so we want to stay somewhere VERY special -- do you think the tremezzo hotel fits the bill or can you reccomend someplace else ?? <BR>thanks, <BR>

Cheryl Z.

<BR>Marie - I think the Tremezzo Palace would be perfect for an anniversary. Elegant, romantic, great staff, wonderful views, perfect central location. <BR>Congratulations, and let me know if any other question.

Cheryl Z.

<BR>Marie, one thing I forgot to mention. Don't know if you'll have a car, but strongly recommend it.

Katherine

I think for anything over a 10 day trip a couple days at one of the lakes is a great break between cities. The major cities; Florence, Venice, and Rome (and Milan) can be overwhelming and exhausting. It's great to take a breather at one of the lakes. Como is quieter than Garda, in my opinion. But both are lovely. The Versace's have a villa on Como (the ferry captain pointed it out to us). Donatella spends time there.

Betty

I will be spending 5 days in Verona and then go to Milan for 2 days at the end of a longer trip before returning to the US. Would a day trip from Verona to Lake Garda make any sense or could one stop en route to Milan and get a bus or boat around the Lake for a few hours just for a look? Or am I being too greedy trying to get everything in - Venice, Padua, Vicenza, Verona etc.?

Cheryl Z.

<BR>Betty - I'm greedy too trying to squeeze things in! <BR>Didn't make it to Verona so don't know what they have in the way of day trips, but that might be a possibility. However, I think you should reserve more time for even just one lake. I don't recall bus tours for just going around the lake, and I don't know that you could get an adequate boat tour in "on the way" to Milan. <BR>

jw

Hello, Cheryl. I've just come upon your thread and have really enjoyed reading through it. I've made two visits to the Swiss end of Lago Maggiore and adored it. So, needless to say, I'm interested in exploring Como. I'll continue to return for new insights. I always travel by trains, boats, and buses, so I'll be interested to hear about those possibilities in the area. Sounds lovely. Thanks for your report and for starting the dialogue.

Hal

Hello folks- <BR>Lots of good stuff here. We are going to the Lake country mid-september for 2 weeks. We are staying in a friends ancestral home in Ghirla, not too far from Lago Varese.Sort of remote. We want to wander, relax, and soak up the local color.We can't seem to find a decent guide for the lake country.We will have a car but don't want to be a slave to it.We are eager for information including websites, books , whatever. Please feel free to email me direct.Any travel hints will be greatly appreciated.Its only 3 weeks away, and we're so ready and so not ready!There are four of us going and its very exciting. <BR>Thx- <BR>Hal

Denise

Hi Cheryl, <BR> <BR>I really appreciate your post since I am trying to arrange a vacation next July for our 25th wedding anniversary. From reading the threads many people vary in their opinion about the Lake regions. What do you or others think is a good amount of time to explore Garda, Maggiore, Como area. Can't make up my mind about visiting Venice on this trip, but if I do, it will be my first stop for 3 night max. I gather you recommend a car. Is it easy to rent a car? We will be arriving in Milan and then go from there. Also, should we take a hotel in one place as use that as our base? <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Denise

Cheryl Z.

<BR>Hal, don't worry about finding any more material about the lakes region as once you get there, it'll be easy to pick up maps and info that will help you. That's all we did. Your situation sounds wonderful, and perfect for enjoying that area. We found each lake had it's own charisma too. jw mentions Lake Maggiore which we visited briefly a few years ago on a Swiss trip, loved it also - and it was different from Como and Garda. <BR>Denise, all the lakes on one trip may be too much, maybe concentrate on Como and Garda if coming from Venice. But all convenient to Milan. 4-5 days would be good, but it depends on how much relaxing you want to do. Even tho had a car, we used the boats on Como as much as possible since that's where we spent the most time. <BR> We rent our cars here in the US, and on this lake trip, picked it up/turned in, in Milan, our arrival/departure city. <BR>No problems, can't remember if it was Hertz or Avis, but this year (June 200l) for our Italy trip (Rome, Sicily, Amalfi coast) we got a car thru Avis (Rome, booked in US) which included a free cell phone - very cheap; including all insurance was less than $400.00 US for l3-l4 days. <BR>I hope this helps. You'll all have a wonderful time, and I'm jealous! <BR>

Betty

Dear Cheryl, <BR>Thanks for your response. I guess I'll have to wait and see what is available from Verone. You're probably right - the lakes deserve a trip in themselves. Betty.

HAL

CHERYL- <BR>THANKS FOR THE INFO. I AM USED TO TRAVELING WITH OPEN ITINERARIES. I DON'T MIND BEING SPONTANEOUS AS LONG AS I HAVE PLANNED IT OUT THOROUGHLY! WE ARE BEING QUOTED A RATE OF $815.00 (AVIS) FOR A CAR FOR 2 WEEKS. MAYBE BECAUSE IT IS AT THE END OF THE HIGH SEASON?

Anna

Hi Cheryl and others at this site, <BR>I enjoyed reading info on Lago Garda since I'll be there for 4 nights mid-september with my husband and mom. We're arriving and staying in Torino with relatives for a few days and then driving to the lake. Does anyone know how long the trip might take from Torino to Lago Gardo? We're staying at the Hotel Arena in Simione. Anyone familiar with it? I've also learned there is a spa i Simione. How is that? Also, we would like to see the Last Supper restoration in Milan. Does anyone know how to arrange this. I understand you have to make arrangements ahead. Thanks for any help. Anna

CherylZ.

<BR>topping for Peggy's Nov. trip too. <BR> <BR>Hal, maybe you have a bigger car than what we've rented?? I wouldn't think Sept. would be high season for cars. <BR> <BR> Anna,just a comment about TLS. Somewhere on this form is info about making the reservations but I can't find it now. However we saw it without reservations. That was the one thing I wanted to see, and my husband kept saying "Don't worry about it"! (this is always very aggravating to me!!) When we arrived in Milan, instead of taking a day tour to see other sights, we found an English speaking taxi drive in the line in front of the Doumo. (this was an experience in itself!) He charged us less than the tour, and it was more personalized. After showing us around, my husband asked him if there was a possibility of getting us in to see TLS, and told the driver there'd be an extra tip for him if he tried. We drove by the entrance, few people in line - it was about 2:20pm, and taxi-driver spoke with the attendant. He told us to just wait a few minutes, and he'd see what he could do. I believe there was supposed to be a tour group showing up at 2:30. Finally at 2:30, there <BR>was a short line of ticketed (I think) people, but no tour bus, and he let us in. We paid the fee, plus gave the attendant a tip too. It was worth the extra money - maybe $20.00 or more in tips but not sure. It was the highlight of the trip for me to see it. It's viewed in groups of only l5 or so at a time after going thru two separate security areas to keep the dust, humidity etc. out. It's quite amazing, and even with the restoration, a lot of detail, in the faces especially, is still gone. I can't imagine it being around 50 years from now even with precautions.

Julie

This has been very enjoyable reading. We love the Italian lake country. One year we did a 14 or so day vacation just in the Italian lakes. Drove but often took ferries and hydrofoils around the lakes. Orta is one of the smaller lakes but deserves mention and a stop. It is very small but very charming with an island just off the shore which can be seen from the main square. We stayed at the San Rocco there. It's lovely, has a wonderful pool and great rooms overlooking the lake. Next we went to Lake Maggiore where we stayed on the west side in Cannero Riviera at the Hotel Cannero. Drove to Stresa to see the Barromees islands but liked the quietness of Cannero Riviera better than Stresa where we'd stayed on a previous visit. Lake Como remains our favorite of all the lakes. We stay in Mennagio at the Grand Hotel Mennagio. It's old world elegant while still having modern rooms and a lovely pool. It's also right next to the ferry stop so it's easy to travel to the other places on the lake, especially our other favorites Bellagio and Varenna. Those torn between Como town and Bellagio should choose the latter but should also consider Mennagio. While there have a lunch at Isola Comacina. This is a multi-course rustic meal on an ancient island. The meal itself is quite a show, including whole grilled fish salted in something akin to the manner of tappenyaki chefs. The meal is followed by a show in which the chef/owner tells the history of the island. It's unique and very tasty. Bellagio and Varenna both have lovely gardens to explore. A fourth Italian lake, and again a small one, is Lake Iseo. It too is beautiful and has an island. Here we stayed at the I due Roccoli. It's elegant and has a wonderful restaurant. It's also near Erbusco which is the heart of the Franciacorte sparkling wine production and home to L'Albereta, the restaurant of Gualttiero Marchesi, the Paul Bocuse of Italy. Well worth a side trip for lunch (plan 3 hours) or an overnight stay, which is what we'll be doing there this Sept. Lake Garda has been harder for us to get to know and love. It's big and we initally had difficulty finding good hotels on it. On our last visit we stayed in Garngnano at the Villa Guillia. That was nice and had the advantage of being near La Tortuga, a charming 2 Michelin starred restaurant right in Gargnano. Gargnano is the place Moussilini was last housed before being killed with his mistress in hills nearby. Nearby Gardone Riviera is the site of Vittoriale, the home of Gabriel D'Anunzio, a bizarre but interesting place to visit. We'll be in Garda again this Sept. this time staying at the Locanda San Vigilio on the south eastern edge. The place we're staying is owned by a duke and sounds quite interesting. I'm wondering if any of those of you responding to this thread have ever heard of or stayed here. I'd be very interested to hear of your experience at this place. <BR>So bottom line on this very long message: Italian Lakes are all wonderful. If you can go to them all. If you can't, Como is best. Stay in Mennagio which gives you access also to Bellagio and Varenna, two of the prettiest towns on Lake Como. Do the Isola Comacina lunch thing. Does anyone have info on the Locanda San Vigilio on Lake Garda?