I just returned from a fabulous 2 week adventure in Bellagio. We flew in to Milan, spent a night in Milan to rest the kids, than in the morning took the train to Varenna and went by ferry to Bellagio.

Thanks to all you Foderites, everything was simple and easy. I knew what to do, how to get there and what to see. It was great~! I especially liked the advice posted to do Fa niente. ( I think Rex’s advice)

The only thing that was a huge disappointment was Silvo's for fish. This was something I especially looked forward to since my husband is a fisherman. He loved watching the fisherman on the piers everyday. Christian at Silvo's was rude and arrogant. He micro manages the entire place. One minute he was taking a customer order (no one else was to) the next he was screaming at staff. We spent a lot of money in his restaurant and he made us feel very uncomfortable. I am so glad I did not stay there as I thought I might.

Thanks to Deidre for the advice of the cable car in Lecco. It was a highlight of the trip.

I had so much fun, I can’t believe it’s over (sob)… Mille Grazie to you all~! Ciao

Is "Tony, the Wine King," still in Bellagio? He had a sort of cave, where he sold wine and gave the greatest wine tastings imaginable. He was located in the side street next to the Kodak film and camera store. It's been a few years, that's why I inquire.

I didn't meet "Tony". But I was in a wine bar, and come to think of it, it was like a cave. I hadn't thought about describing it that way, but it was! It was real small with lots of wine!

Would you mind sharing what Fa niente is? We're going to be in Bellagio in a few weeks and I've not heard or seen this name before. Thanks!

I assume it's "dolce far niente", Italian for "sweet doing nothing", i.e., relaxing, taking it easy, taking the time to smell the roses, etc., etc.

Two weeks in Bellagio! What a treat! Tell us everything. (You didn't even mention what hotel you stayed at.)

More please!

We stayed at Residence La Limonera. Which was perfect!! There are 8 people in my group. 2 families, my sisters, and mine. 4 adults, 2 boys and 2 adult girls. So we rented 3 apartments, which was delightful!!!! We cooked most meals at home, except for a few recommended dinner spots found on this web site. It really helped save $. On the first day I made an Abruzzo pasta sauce, so I had fun shopping for fresh pasta’s daily at the market. One great tip, because I was there so long, I was able to find the locals grocery store, not the tourists. It’s near the sporting club, in a residential area away from everything. At this store, everything was ½ the price of the stores in downtown Bellagio. Wine was 2-8 euros, instead of 14- 20 euros. I tried every price point and they were all good!!

What I meant by fa niente was “do nothing” wake up late, drink espresso and sit on my balcony until it moves me to do something else. It was great. I would watch the neighbors, like the man who shaved in the window with the old fashion shaving cream brush like my father and the single blade razor. Or the elderly woman who hung out on her balcony at every night smoking a cigarette right before bed. Oh, the fun of it~! Each day was a different delight and adventure

Sounds wonderful, do tell more please.

Residence La Limonera! I often recommend this place for families/groups (even couples). For those who don't need hotel-type amenities and front-desk tourist assistance, this is the perfect place in Bellagio. It's just a block or two from all the main hotels in town. And what a wonderful place for an extended family to spend two weeks in Bellagio! Brava!

A shame about Silvio's. There have been some negative comments here recently, so I can't say I was terribly surprised. I would have suggested the terrace at Bilacus for your group. Although you didn't mention it, I hope you happen to have had dinner there.

A recent poster asked what kids would enjoy at Lake Como. Perhaps you could comment on what the younger people in your group enjoyed most.

We did eat at Bilacus after the many suggestions from this site. It was our favorite dinner out! The service was great, food even better. The host asked me if I would care to sit in the bar area due to the size our group and the kids. We did (it was raining) it was splendid! He opened the doors outside up, which allowed my antsy 5 year old to move in and out. Having the privacy and the space with kids is always wonderful! Making little ones sit too long can be exhausting. We had our own private party!

My 14 year old would say his favorite things he did were: visit the caves in Bellano. (Orrido di Bellano) He loved this. Also the cable car trip up the mountain in Lecco. (Lecco Pianin D’Erna) Boy that was special, we all felt like we were in the Sound of Music when we reached the top of the mountain. What was even more fun was that there was a large group of Italian rock Climbers partying at the top of the mountain after a climb, drinking HUGE mugs of German Beer and listening to German Music. All 8 of us felt we had visited an entire different country on that journey. We joined them and had a ball!

Next I think on my son’s list would be Villa Del Balbiannello. Due to the fact that a scene from Star Wars was filmed there. Also seeing it in other movies (A month by the lake). We aren’t the type of group that likes looking at gardens much, but this was special, the views every where were astounding!!! And hiking in it made in much more fun~!

I could go on forever….