lmschmale

Any itinerary suggestions for a day at Lake Como? I was thinking of:

-train in the morning from Milan Central Station to Como
-spend some time in Como
-take the express ferry to Bellagio
-explore Belagio and have lunch
-take ferry to Varenna
-see Varenna
-train from Varenna back to Milan (possibly after dinner)

I'm actually not positive that there is a train from Varenna back to Milan. Also, the order of Belaggio and Varenna can be switched (I know that Villa Carlotta in Varenna closes at 4:30 so we would probably miss that if we went to Varenna last - is that a must see?) I just thought that makes sense since the Any suggestions/help on planning would be much appreciated. Also, is there a funicular anywhere that people highly recommend for views? Thanks!!!

Shanti

I took the train from Varenna to Milan two years ago.

I liked Villa Carlotta but I don't know that you'd consider it a "must see" - but I don't think you'd have time to visit it, anyway, considering all the other places you want to visit.

JulieVikmanis

I'd skip the stop/time in Como and head for Bellagio and Varenna, maybe throw in Menaggio as well. And if you're going to Villa carlotta, you'll need to stop in Tremezzo or Cadenaebia, forget which, they're side by side. I guess, on second thought, I'd also skip villa Carlotta and just do the three towns in the middle of the lake, going roundtrip from Milan to Varenna and back and then taking the ferry from Varenna to Bellagio and Menaggio (the latter if there's time) Do a search here and you'll learn of all the wonderful things to do in the towns. Plenty of other gardens. Lots of promenades. Shopping, just strolling and enjoying the views and the scenery.

luvtotravel

This is a lot for one day -- maybe three days? The idea of the lakes is to unwind -- this is more like a race.

There is a train between Milan and Varenna. From Varenna you can take a quick ferry to Bellagio. Not sure how long it would take to get to Como. We were in Varenna for four nights and did not have time to get that far.

I highly recommend visiting the villas. There are two on Varenna -- Villa Cipressi and Villa Monestaro. You can easily walk from one to the other. With more time, I would recommend the Villa Carlotta and the Villa Balbianello.

happytrailstoyou

Yes, take the train to Verenna and do mid-lake from there. I believe that would make a better day unless your heart is set on seeing Como.

Jean

FYI, to get from Milan to the town of Como, you'd take a regional train from the Cadorna station, not from the Centrale station. Here's a link to the timetable for this train:
http://www.lenord.it/website/lenord/en/home/index.php

I agree you should skip Como unless, as happytrailstoyou said, it's important to you. But, having said that, I think the only way you could have dinner at the lake is to end the day in Como. There is a train from Como to Milano Cadorna at 10:36 p.m. The last train from Varenna Esino to Milano Centrale is probably around 8:00 p.m., and most restaurants will not open until 7:00 p.m.

If you buy tickets for Milano Centrale to Varenna Esino and plan to return from Varenna, buy the return tickets at the same time. The station at Varenna is unmanned. Here's a link to the timetable for trains between Milano Centrale and Varenna Esino:
http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

Lastly, here's a link to the ferry timetable:
http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/eng/com/nlc_ora.html

lmschmale

Thanks everyone! I think I'll just skip Como then!

Is there a reason there appears to be no available trains on the date I'm planning on going - Monday Aug 25??? Are they all sold out or are there no trains on this day? Is this train something that - since it's August - will sell out if I wait to buy my tickets until the day of or day before?

zeppole

Are you using "Milano" as your starting point? (Meaning, don't forget the 'o'.)

zeppole

Using the link to LeNord above, i have no difficulty calling up a timetable for aug 25 for trains from Cadorna (Milano) to Como Lago

lmschmale

Well, I was using the Trenitalia site to go from Milano Centrale to Varenna Esino (was going to skip the town of Como as every is suggesting and I believe that is the end of the line for Le Nord). When I put in from Milano Centrale to Varenna Esino, and for the same return, I get a bunch of times that are unavailable, plus some other times that are for the next day. Same thing happens on italiarail.com

Are these tickets that I need to buy ahead of time or can just get the day before or morning of?

I really appreciate the responses!

ellenem

I input Milano to Varenna and August 25 and got direct trains from Milano Centrale to Varenna Esino at 8:15, 9:15, and 12:15 and returning from Varenna at 16:22, 18:24, and 20:20. There are other trains that leave from other Milano stations, involve making connections, and take twice as much time.

lmschmale

Yes, but they all say "NO" in the Buy column. Does this mean they are sold out? Is this a train route that will sell out?

Jean

It's OK. You just can't buy tickets for this route online. Go to the station and buy tickets when you get to Milan or even the day of your excursion. Worst case scenario (which has happened to me) is that you'll have to stand for the hour journey. Sit on the left side if possible. Be ready to get off in Varenna -- the train only stops for a couple of minutes.

valtor

Like Shanti, I also recommend a visit to Villa Carlotta - it has a splendid garden and beautiful interiors. You can reach it very easy by boat from Varenna.

luvtotravel

Here are my photos from the Villas Cipressi, Monestaro, Carlotta, and Balbianello. Hopefully, you'll see a spot that interests you.

http://travelswithdiane.homestead.co...7LakeComo.html

Dukey

Unless you are traveling Milan Varenna at the end of a workday or during some holiday period, you will not have to stand on those trains.

They are regional services, have all second-class cars except for a couple of cars with a small First Class section.

No need for reservations, buy your ROUND TRIP tickets from the windows or from the machines IN MILAN: unless something has changed, the station at Varenna-Esino is unmanned and those ticket machines don't always work (the validation machine on the platform was out of operation for months).

lmschmale

What is the "end of a work day" in Italy/Milan? We will be traveling on a Monday (Aug 25) and would like to avoid a heavily crowded train if possible. We are thinking of taking the train for Varenna that leaves Milano Centrale at 9:15am and departing Varenna for Milano Centrale at probably either 6:24pm or 8:20pm. (depends on if we have dinner at the lake or back in Milan). Will we hit rush hour during these times? I know here in NYC the commuter rush is about 8-9am and 5-7pm but I'm not sure what it's like in Italy. Thanks!

ellenem

Your train time choices sound fine considering the available schedule.

misscarol

We took the train from Milan to Como last year in June.We then took the express ferry to Bellagio. Bellagio is very nice for strolling and shopping-relaxing. We were not impressed with Como and wished we had done Varenna instead.

luvtotravel

Regardless of what day of the week you are there, it is wise to have a dinner reservation in Varenna. Make one for as early as possible. Ask someone at the restaurant to call for a taxi for you to save time.