I am planning on going back to Italy at the end of May 2012. My plan is for my inbound flight to arrive in Milan. I have been in Milan on past occasions and instead would like to visit the Lake Como area for two or three days. My intention is to then take a train down to Cinque Terre for another two or three days. Actually my first question is what would be a recommended time frame for a stay at eachlocation? I also need guidance as to what train destinations to take to Lake Como and then to Cinque Terre. I would also like to know about recommended hotels in the $140E range for both areas.

Any other comments will be appreciated. Thanks in advance

Which town are you interested in staying on Lake Como?

You have two train choices for Lake Como. Either go to Milano Centrale and connect to a train to Varenna-Esino which is in the mid-lake area or to Lecco which is at the south end of the eastern 'leg' of the lake. Or take the Malpensa Express train to Saronno and connect to a train to Como Lago which is at the south end of the western 'leg' of the lake. You can take ferries to other towns on the lake, but you should decide your route based on your final destination. No point in going to Lecco or Varenna if you intend to stay in Cernobbio, etc.

Getting to the Cinque Terre is slightly complicated (but no shorter) from Varenna or Lecco than from Como. Either way, it's about 5 hours.

Is that 140 euros for single or double? Are you open to apartments? If so, I can recommend www.residencelalimonera.com in Bellagio.

Kybourbon, I am not sure at this point, however, I am looking for a location that will be within easy reach of the railway station and that will serve as home base to visit the other towns around the lake. I've viewed posting were Varenna, Bellagio and Como are mentioned as options. Wondering what may be the best choice.

Jean, I appreciate your comments and recommendation. Our budget is 140 euros for a double room. I've never stayed at an apartment location but I would be willing to explore the opotion.

Is a location like Varenna more viable because of its location at mid-lake, railway station and ferry transportation? Also, wondering if making a stop in Milan is recommendable on our way to Cinque Terre or do we just go all the way through?

Thanks again!

I prefer staying in the mid-lake area because of the frequent ferry service between/among Varenna, Bellagio and Menaggio, train service at Varenna and the number of things in the area that interest me. Others like the less-visited towns because they are less visited and because cheaper lodging options can often be found.

If you train from Lake Como to CT, you must change trains in Milan. There is no "just go all the way through." IMO, it is the least complicated (but not shorter) starting from Varenna Esino rather than the town of Como. But, again, if you're staying in, say, Cernobbio, then starting from Como makes more sense.

Picking your base at the lake should be determined by what you want to see and where you want to go. You should start with that list and then see how many you can reach easily if you stayed in the mid-lake area versus the towns of Como or Lecco.

Jean, thanks for you follow-up comment. You are a wealth of knowledge. At the risk of imposing, would you be kind enough to suggest a trip itinerary? I would be most greatfull.

from Milano Centrale cheap train to Como

fast ferry to www.bellagio.info

www.hoteflorencebellagio.it my fav Twain stayed there

3 days for me usually then down to SML/Portofino for

www.metropole.it my fav down there awesome 120 euro last

1 block down hill from station u do not need taxi

right at the ferry dock explore all the villages including

Portofino from there minimem 3 days...

Manarola www.torrettas.com my fav town in cinqueterre.com

more remote touristed not as great as Metropole.

Have a blast!

jjrod, as we're total strangers, you'll have to help with some insight as to your interests. Why did you want to go to Lake Como? Villas, gardens, hikes, shopping, water sports (probably too early in late May), scenery, etc.?

I second qwovadis' recommendation of the Hotel Florence in Bellagio except that I think it's out of your budget range. You should check, though, because it's a lovely hotel in a nice location.

I don't like qwovadis' suggestion of the train to Como and then fast ferry to Bellagio. The direct train from Milano Centrale arrives at Como San Giovanni, and you'd have to taxi to the ferry dock. In order to train to the station closest to the dock, you have to take two trains. And I don't like to take the fast ferry unless I have to be somewhere..., uh, fast. It's not the most comfortable ride (enclosed boat), and you can't see much scenery out of the small windows. What little you save on the "cheap" train to Como, you spend on the fast ferry to Bellagio. The direct train from Milano Centrale to Varenna Esino is only 2 euros more than the "cheap" train to Como (not to mention the taxi ride), and the fare on the Varenna-Bellagio regular ferry is only 3,70 euros versus the Como-Bellagio fast ferry at almost 12 euros.

You can check train schedules here:

http://www.fsitaliane.it/homepage_en.html

(Use 'Malpensa Aeroporto' and 'Varenna Esino' in your searches for Varenna. If you want to compare to Como, use 'Como Nord Lago' for the station closest to the dock and 'Como San Giovanni' for the direct/no-change train that arrives farther from the dock.)

Find ferry schedules here:

http://www.navlaghi.it/eng/c_illago.html

Jean, I appreciate your feedback. I've heard about the beautiful views and I would be interested in doing some walking, visiting the villas in the area and looking generally at the scenery. Eating and shopping are also of interest.

Any guidance on our planned trip to Cinque Terre, considering the previous comments, would be greatly appreciated. What is the best way to get to Cinque Terre from Milan? Any hotel recommendations?

Once again thanks for all your comments!

Budget of 140E for a double room - sounds tailor made for Eremo Gaudio in Varenna! It's very clean, with large, bright and airy rooms. The rooms are fairly simple but very pleasant. You cannot beat the views, though. I've posted this photo before but here it goes again. From the balcony.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/skywalkerbeth/2771450097/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/skywalkerbeth/671278200/

There is no shortage of villas, but not all are open to visitors. Balbianello and Carlotta are perhaps the most popular, as well as the gardens of D'Este, Melzi and Cipressi.

Here's an overview:

http://www.lakecomopages.com/things2...d-gardens.html

On the same website is a 'top 10' list which I generally agree with except for the 4 Valleys Path which is meant more for the serious hiker who brings appropriate clothing, etc., and who has lots of time. There are other, less strenuous, options.

http://www.lakecomopages.com/things2...tractions.html

One thing not on that top 10 list which we have enjoyed very much is Castello di Vezio in the hills above Varenna. You can walk/hike up to the castle or take the public bus. The views are fantastic, and if your timing is right you can observe the falcons and other birds taking their daily exercise.

http://www.castellodivezio.it/inglese/index.php

I'm not a shopper, but you'll find some interesting shops in all of the towns. Obviously, the larger the town, the more shopping you'll find.

From Menaggio, you can take a day-trip by bus to Lugano in Switzerland. Here's the bus timetable:

http://www.asfautolinee.it/LinkClick...language=en-US

While we're at it, I started a thread almost two years ago with "things to see and do" on Lake Como. It has links posted, for instance.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...do-and-see.cfm

Jean and flygirl, I truly appreciate all your comments. Any other hotel accommodations from anyone for Lake Como? I would like to evaluate all available options.

Also, any information on how to get to and accommodation options for Cinque Terre will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I love the Albergo Lenno but that is above your stated budget. If that budget is just a suggestion, I highly recommend Lenno.

Flygirl, Albergo Lenno has definitely become an option. What is a better location coming from Milan, Lenno or Varenna? Also, for departure purposes en route to Cinque Terre? Your trip report provides much insight. What would be the train trajectory to take to Cinque Terre? Please elavorate. Thanks in advance.

Hi

I've always had a car, so I cannot say much on the trains. We did take the train from Varenna to Milan once for a day trip, and it was quick and easy. If you did that, and decided to stay in Lenno, you would take a ferry from Varenna to Lenno. How many days are you staying, again? If you are simply not going to have a car you will need to keep in mind how much extra time to build in for ferry crossings including what time they may leave in the morning if you have a tight connection to make a train to go to your next destination.

Another option to consider if you have a few people is to check into how much it would cost to have a car service pick you up at the airport and drop you off at the Lake Como hotel, and then take you back to Milan's train station a few days later. It might or might not be a wash with the train ticket/ferry ride/taxi ride you will need to and from the train station if you have 3 or more people going. Even if it were a little more expensive round trip, it would save an enormous amount of time with all of the public transport options.