Hello! We're off to Italy for our honeymoon in August 2001. We were thinking of flying into Milan - staying in the Lake Como area...any ideas or comments? We will be staying there for a few days and then traveling to Florence - hopefully Villa San Michele and then going on to Positano - hopefully San Pietro. Please comment on anything...we like to keep busy but are trying to move around in a relaxed sort of way. We want to see the smaller cities rather than the huge ones...Anyone ever stayed in any of these places?

Here's one very solid endorsement for Lake Como. It would fit perfectly into your plans. I'd recommend (as many others would on this forum) Bellagio. From there you can drive and/or ferry to the other towns on the lake. It is indeed a beautiful and relaxing spot. Depending on traffic, it's a 1 to 2-hour drive from Malpensa Airport in Milan. Recommend the Belvedere Hotel in Bellagio. (Website: www.belvederebellagio.com) )email: [email protected])

Hi Cathy, <BR>I stayed in Bellagio with my sister and it was heavenly. We stayed at the Hotel du Lac (requested and got) a beautiful room overlooking the lake. The sun POURED in the room. We went there after 16 days of hard touring in Rome and Venice, so we were exhausted, and slept a lot. It's peaceful and quiet. I belive there are beautiful gardens and villas you can visit in the around the lake involving boat trips. (We were just too darned tired) The thing that I liked about it, was that it was quite different then the rest of the country we saw, as it is so close to the Alps (jeez, I hope I have the right mountain range!) It is a little quiet though, so be prepared for walking and boating and relaxing.

Cathy, <BR> <BR>Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! From your plans, it looks like you're traveling in style on your honeymoon - which is WONDERFUL! <BR> <BR>In that case, I can only relate my experience. When I was at Lake Como we stayed at Villa D'Este - it was absolutely memorable - the setting, the service - and that floating pool on the lake. We were only supposed to stay 2 nights but changed the reservation to 3 nights - it was difficult to leave - a splurge but I'll never forget it... <BR> <BR>Dona

The lake region is beautifull.Bellagio,Sirmione are very pretty, make day trips. <BR>Florence I would stay in town.Parking for the day when you stay outside, is a nightmare, get one of the cozy places in Florence an you will be able to enjoy more.Then, you go to the surroundings like Sienna, Lucca, Pisa and san Giminiano. <BR>And If you are lucky to get a room in San Pietro Great.If not stay in Sorrento Hotel Cocumella and go for the day to the amalfi peninsula