My friend and I are traveling to Italy this year and are thinking about flying into Milan and then traveling to Lake Como for four or five days where we would stay in Varenna. From there we will be traveling to Levanto using it as a base for the Cinque Terre. We will spend four days hiking the Cinque Terre and possibly one day visiting Lucca. We will finish up our trip with two days in Milan.

I would appreciate any suggestions about hotels, etc.

Try specialplacestostay.com they have a good selection of reasonably priced B&B's and inns in both areas, and are usually very good

What season (or month) are you thinking about (please)?

Hi M,

Is there a reason why you are skipping Venice?

Five days sounds like a lot in Varenna...I'd recommend 2 or 3 nights. It's charming, but there isn't a lot to the town itself. The great thing about it of course, is it's ferry access to other towns on Lake Como. I stayed there in late March in Albergo Olivedo, the hotel that overlooks the ferry. The people there were gracious, but I remember being cold. Same for walking in Bellagio. Be prepared for potentially cool temperatures if you are going in early spring. I don't think our hotel ran heat during the day (seriously).

We are planning on leaving in mid-September. We will base in Varenna and visit Bellaggio, etc.

Regarding Venice--this is my third trip to Italy--visited Venice in 1998. We also revisited Florence, Rome, Amalfi Coast and Naples. We spent three days on the Isle of Capri at the Villa Brunella--beautiful!

Another question. Has anyone stayed at the Hotel Spardari in Milan?

Thank you.

We first stopped in Varenna in 2002. We stayed at the Albergo Olivedo (Near the ferry dock. from a Karen Brown guide.). We liked it enough to stay there again for five nights in summer 2005. It is a nice, air-conditioned but elevetorless albergo. We took the half board (the chef is the brother of Laura and Laura runs the hotel). There is a pleasant lake front promenade to get you to the center of Varenna.

In Varenna, one of the old villas is now a hotel. I don't remember their pricing but I think it was appx 150 euro per room. I do remember that the lobby/reception area was impressive.

I stayed in the Europa hotel in Levanto on a past trip. I don't know what you are looking for, but it is well-located; our room was simple but comfortable with a large bath; the owners were friendly; and the breakfast was good. I would stay there again.

We were the only Americans there at the time; as a matter of fact, in Levanto the other tourists seemed to be only Italians and Germans. (Levanto is featured in Rick Steves' guidebook now, however, so it may be more popular with American -- just a comment, don't take offense anyone!) On the other hand, the Cinque Terre towns were more crowded and I heard a lot more English echoing down the tiny streets.

We thought Levanto made a great base...we were planning to stay in the CT proper, but got off the train in Levanto to check it out and have lunch and decided to stay there instead. It was quick and simple to get into the Cinque Terre park, and we liked the restaurants and little bars in Levanto in the evening.