Greetings,
I am in the process of planning a possible trip to Lake Como in 2007 (4 nights). I was either looking at going in late May or in the month of September. What would be the better time to go as far as the weather and the amount of crowds? I would be flying into Milan, would it be better to stay in Varenna or Bellagio as far as transportation connections are concerned? Finally, I am looking at combining this trip with a vacation in Switzerland as well (Lucerne and the Lake Geneva area). Would this be possible with only using the train system as transportation? I know this is a lot of questions. I would appreciate any insight.

Thanks,
TMoon

Yes, very doable. I would pick late May because of the flowers--lovely. The crowds will be about the same either time. Varenna is your best choice by train, but that makes it longer to get to Luzern. However, the trains to Lugano and on to Luzern all pass thru Como at the south end of the lake. Good luck !

If possible, I'd fly into Milan and take the train to Varenna, then the ferry across to stay in Bellagio on Lake Como. When leaving, I'd take the ferry (maybe high speed) to the town of Como and then the train to Switzerland. But if possible I'd try to get an open jaw flight, flying home from either Zurich or Geneva, rather than having to return to Milan.
Yes, you can do it all by train.

I agree with Bob about the timing. Last I was there was in late May and it was perfect weather; lots of roses in bloom along the lakefront in Menaggio. Nowhere seemed particularly crowded.

There is only ONE rail station and that is in Varenna; the ferry dock is a 10-15 minute walk (all downhill) from the RR station. Ferries leave frequently for both Bellagio and Menaggio.

As to your onward trip to Switzerland, there is another alternative: the frequent bus service from Menaggio over to Lugano. Ferries run frequently from Bellagio to Menaggio. From there you can take a train to Lucerne (changing somewhere such as Arth-Goldau) so no need to go down to the city of Como (where you'll catch the same train that goes through Lugano) unless you really want to.

To be more clear...you can take a train from <b>Lugano</b> northward into Switzerland...

There's yet another rail alternative: if you are interested in seeing some of the most spectacular alpine scenery on your way from the lake to Lucerne, you can take the train from Varenna to Tirano; change there for the Bernina Express as far as Pontresina/Samedan then on to Chur and Thalwil where you would change for Lucerne.

This is a very roundabout route and would take basically an entire day but you might find the scenery opportunities worth the effort. Just a thought.

Another vote for a visit in May. Even as early as May 10th you will find the flowers in bloom and very beautiful.

You may be able to get more detailed weather information by visiting the websites for Villa Melzi (or Meltzi) and Villa Carlotta.

As long as you stay in a location that is connected by the lake steamers or high speed boats you can stay at anyplace that you find attractive.

The boat schedules are available on the web.

We have been to lake Como in the first few days of June and the weather was nice. Not summer hot but nice.

IMO the mid lake area is the most convenient. The Bellagio, Menaggio, Varenna triangle is serviced by both passenger boats and the ferries. It seems like a boat is crossing the lake every few minutes. Bellagio and Varenna are a 10 minute ferry ride apart. Varenna gets a small lead in transportation convenience because some people want to catch the earliest trains, which are before the boat service starts in the morning.

I was just looking at combining a Switzerland/Lake Como trip myself - is driving a car in the area do-able ?

At and around Lake Como, most people use the various types of boats that go from town to town. However, driving a car in the area is doable. They have both the original (pre automobile) roads and modern, highway specification roads. Have you driven in Italy or Europe before?

The road on the western side of Lake Como has Roman origins. Yes 2,000 years old.

Do not assume that a hotel has any parking spaces. Ask first, before booking. I have never heard of a hotel reserving or guaranteeing a parking space.

JerseySue, I'm planning to drive, picking up in Zurich and driving to the Lake region/Piedmont, and driving back to Zurich. It is considerably less expensive flying in/out of Zurich than Milan, and rental cars are less expensive renting/returning in Switzerland than Italy.

You have a wonderful trip idea. ONce we flew into Milan, spent the night, took train on to Como and spent a day there. Then we took the hydrofoil (?) up to Bellagio (a beautiful ride), stayed there and made side trips to Varenna etc. Then took the boat to Minaggio, spent the night, and took the bus to Lugano. THEN, being in Switzerland ,we rented our car and made out way up to Zurich (via interlachen, and other towns in that area).
OR from Lugano, you can drive over to the Geneva area...also VERY lovely!!!
Am sure you can get an &quot;open Jaw&quot; plane ticket...into Milan and out of Geneva.
Yes, it's much simpler renting a car in Switzerland...(and cheaper, mostly because of the strict restrictions in Italy of the CDW...but that too can be avoided with a letter from Mastercard etc.)
Having told you the above itinerary, there is one thing I would change, and perhaps things are different now. The bus trip to Lugano form Minaggio was lovely and not far, however arriving in Lugano we were dropped off in a suburb (the usually dropping place we were told)...by a park, and a few pubs, and no taxis in sight even. Finally we called the hotel(from a kiosk and the help of an English speaking lady) where we had reservations and they sent a taxi!) I believe I would take the hydrofoil (or boat)from lovely Bellagio back to Como and catch the train to Lugano to rent the car.

Mastercard no longer issues those letters, and when renting in Italy, the Italians won't let you refuse the CDW. You have to take &amp; pay the CDW, ergo, the high cost of renting in Italy.

I talked with Mastercard about renting in Switzerland and driving in Italy. Just refuse the CDW on the rental agreement, and I would be covered. The only problem with Italy is that they will not let you refuse the CDW, so Mastercard will not cover you -- you will already be covered.

mari5, we took the bus this summer from Mennagio to Lugano and we too were dropped off next to a park which they say is the usual place-- but it was only about a one minute walk over to the lake, and a 10 minute stroll to the center of town on the lake. I certainly saw no reason to call a taxi. But if you are unable to walk 10 or 12 minutes or if going further, there is also a bus stop right there and you can hop on the bus which goes through the center as well as other places.

Neopolitan: we were pulling luggage and had two bad knees....hence the reason it worked out like it did. MIGHT have taken the bus as I believe we exchanged money to Swiss francs in Menaggio...however didn't see one.
Anyway it all turned out OK, but we would not have walked to our hotel given the circumstances. The hotel was right down in the center of town,in the pedestrian area, and I think some hills were involved!
We like to chalk up an experience like this ,while traveling, as an &quot;adventure&quot;!.

ANyway....I'm glad to learn that you also were let off at the same place...not at a bus station. Interesting!

Yea, it might have been a bit rough with luggage. And there was no bus station in Menaggio where we got on either.