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Hi
looking to go to Italy October 2025. Wanting 2 days in Milan then would like to visit lake Como area then lake Maggiorie area. We heard Stressa is nice to stay. Has anyone done anything similar and any ideas for an itinary and how easy is it to get from one destination to another. We could hire a car but would prefer not to do that. Recommendations on hotels would also be helpful.
thanks

Hi surich, Here's my old TR to give you some ideas. You probably know you can look at other TRs at the top right of the Europe page. Enjoy!

https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...gio-tr-947180/

Scroll to #15 for the Bellagio part. We never drove. Took the train from Milan, then ferried around the area.

We've visited the area a few times and will be there again in December.

Always by public transport.

October is a bit late for the lakes. Actually, there is nothing but bright sun, however (after 2 weeks of rainy wearher).
On Lake Maggiore, boats will run between Locarno and Brissago as well as between Stresa and Intra - Laveno only.
Boats ion Lake Lugano will no longer run daily.
Only Lake Como boats will still run between the Southern and the Northern end of the Lake.

Public transport in the aarea is easy:
Direct trains:
Malpensa airport - Saronno - Milan
Malpensa airport - Busto Nord - Gallarate - Varese - Mendrisio - Lugano - Bellinzona
Milan - Gallarate - Stresa - Verbania Pallanza - Domodossola
Domodossaola - Locarno
Milan - Como - Mendrisio - Lugano - Locarno
Milan - Saronnno - Como
Milan - Lecco - Varenna - Colico
Milan - Busto Nord - Novara
Milan -Saronno - Varese - Laveno ferry
Milan - Gallarate - Varese - Porto Ceresio
Milan - Gallarate - Laveno - Luino
Luino - Bellinzona
Lugano - Ponte Tresa

Directr buses:
Malpensa airport - Milan
Malpensa airport - Stresa
Malpensa airport - Turin
Como - Menaggio - Colico
Como - Bellagio
Lugano - Menaggio
Verbania Pallanza - Omegna
Verbania Pallanza - Intra
Intra - Brissago
Brissago - Locarno
Varese - Ponte Tresa
Luino - Ponte Tresa
Varese - Luino

We visited the lakes as part of a longer trip earlier this year, here's my TR https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...guria-1723101/

Thanks for that. Lots to see.
Been looking at hotels. In Milan Gran Duca di York.
In Stresa Hotel Villa Palazzo Aminta. In Lake Como Belvedere and The Royal Victoria. Anyone stayed at any of them and what were they like. Travel agent suggested them.
thanks again

I have never traveled in October, and as others pointed out it might be a bit late. Your itinerary doesn't need a car.
On your hotel choices :
Milan : Gran Duca di York gets favourable reviews from several Fodorites. My default choice is always Hotel Berna, due to its location (mid way between station and Duomo).
Stresa : Hotel Villa Palazzo Aminta is outside of Stresa. If I had to stay five star, I would choose the Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromee, more central.
Como : I guess you are talking about the Belvedere in Bellagio and The Royal Victoria in Varenna. Haven't stayed in either, both good choices, but I think Bellagio may have more going on in October.

Thanks for your help. Everywhere is pricey but it’s a special occasion so want to get it right.

We visited Varenna and Bellagio last year on Oct 7, as a day trip from Chiavenna. The weather was still a bit warm for our tastes. It was also a lot busier than we expected. I just looked at my photos and most people were in shorts.

We also visited Stresa and The Borromean Islands as a day trip from Domodossola on Oct 10, and it was still plenty warm, and still quite busy.

We're visiting in December this year, which will be an entirely different experience, but we like different:)

Thank you that’s helpful. Hopeless packer.

Okay got 3 nights in Milan sorted and decided 4 in Varenna. We were going to stay a week in Stressa. Is this too long or will there be plenty of places to visit from there. Didn’t realise the hotel we were looking at was outside of Stressa and reviews said rooms really small. Any hotel recommendations appreciated and places to eat.

Thanks

October is a lovely time for northern Italy. From Milan, you can easily reach Varenna on Lake Como by train and explore nearby towns like Bellagio by ferry. For Lake Maggiore, Stresa is an excellent choice; you can take a train there from Lake Como via Milan in about 2 hours and visit the Borromean Islands by ferry. For hotels, Grand Hotel Tremezzo on Lake Como and Hotel La Palma in Stresa are good options.

Looked at La Palma Hotel Stressa or the new Stressa Boutique Hotel any advice which one to go for.
thanks