Lake Como for a week?
 

I'm planning a trip around Northern Italy for three weeks next September. The hotel I really want in Bellagio only offers one week stays in that month. For those who've been there, is a week too long, or will we find enough to see and do to fill the time. Some relaxation time is fine, but I can do that at home.

Will you have a car?

How early or late in the month would your week be? If the weather is nice, I think you could easily spend a week taking trips to different villas, gardens, and towns on the lake by boat. I would go to Lake Como for a week.

Do you like walking/hiking? There would be so many destinations around the lake where you could go for great short hikes.

I researched the area for our trip a year and a half ago, and we didn't really scratch the surface. Plus, relaxing was fun.

We spent six nights on Lake Como last August (the Grand Hotel Tremezzo Palace) and found plenty to see and do. Yes, we had some lovely R&R time by the pool, but also toured the towns around the lake, wandered through Bellagio and Varenna, toured the Villa Carlotta, and took a day trip to the old city of Bergamo (highly recommended). Other options (assuming you have a car) would include trips to Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano, the city of Como, or perhaps even into Switzerland.

If you go, I highly recommend dinner at Locanda d'Isola Comacina, the old restaurant on the sole island of Lake Como. We had a wonderful experience there.

Hi rexmor, I'm curious which hotel it is that has the one-week minimum stay? Thx.

Thanks for the replies....I hadn't planned on a car while there. Do you know if I can rent one there?
The Hotel Metropole has the one week stay requirement during September.

I wouldn't rent a car there. If you live in the USA your best bet it to rent one ahead of time from AutoEurope or some similar outfit. You'll need an International Driver's Permit todrive in Italy - you can get one from AAA.

I'm going to cast a dissenting vote. I found four days on Lake Como too many, and one of those was spent in Milan. I go to Italy for the food and wine, art and architecture, not for the food and wine and natural beauty.

If you need to pick up a rental car, then Europcar has an office in Como.

We were there last June for four full days. We never got around to the possible side trips that we had considered (primarily Bergamo, the Splugen Pass and Lake Lugano.)

The primary thing at Lake Como is the views. Yes, there are boat rides to take (please do take several) and small towns to explore but when George Lucas wanted a location that looked like another world, a world far more beautiful than this planet, he shot his movie at a villa on Lake Como. (My point is that Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places you might ever find. But people who need activity might not like it).

Not go to Italy for "natural beauty"? What a shame. Italy has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

But back to Rexmor. I wouldn't find a week in Bellagio too much, but I don't think I'd pick the Hotel Metropole and I'm surprised they have a one week minimum in September. If I were you, I'd look around a bit more and include Varenna in your search. May I ask what the Metropole wants for a week's stay?

You could rent a car, but it really isn't necessary. Most of the interesting places are waterside and easily accessible from the ferry. You can take a one-hour bus from Menaggio to Lugano if that appeals to you.

We recently spent three nights at Lake Como and we had wished it was longer. A week would be lovely, trust me you would not have views like this at home to relax with!! Make sure you see Villa Balbianello it is just magic, Villa Carlotta was good too and the river Fiumelatte in Varenna (shortest one in Italy) will be running at this time, cos we were there in Sept, and it was raging. Some lovely slow walks would have been good but we didn't have the time. We stayed at the Hotel du Lac in Varenna which was sensational. We had a terrific room with a huge balcony over looking the lake - some great restaurants in Varenna as well. In particular Il Cavatappi and Vecchia Va

sorry computer bombed out, should read Vecchia Varenna. It has recently changed hands and the food was great as was the service and view.

Definately do the week, you can always take a slow boat to Como for the day and just admire the scenery on the way. I don't think you really need a car, we had one but only used it to get there and to drive to the river, which you could walk to even if it is a fair way and then drove out!! Just don't eat at Albergo Plinio in Lenno if you go to visit Balbianello, the worst food EVER!!

LOVED Bellagio and stayed at the fantastic Hotel Belvedere. We visited Varenna and fell hard for Hotel Du Lac do the amazing views of the lake. We only visited this hotel and had lunch there. SO many things to do in this area. A week minimum would scratch the surface nicely.

Enjoy,
STeve R

Thanks for all your replies. The Hotel Metropole was highly recommended by a good friend who's stayed there. They are actually closed for the winter, but their automated booking site states that a week's minimum is required. They are asking around a thousand Euros per week.
I'd also looked at the Belvedere, but thought it might be inconvenient for walking to restaurants in the evening[??]
There seem to be a couple of recommendations about Varenna. How does it compare for a place to "waste" 5-6 days. Are the restaurants, shopping and strolling as good?

The shopping certainly is not as good in Varenna as Bellagio. Simply take the ferry - takes 10mins - and go shopping in Bellagio. The restaurant at the Villa Cipressi was good also, so dinner wise you wont' have a problem in Varenna, or catch an early meal in Bellagio and take the ferry home to Varenna. We preferred V to B as it was not so crowded and "touristy", but if you like the hustle and bustle then maybe B might be better. We could have happily "wasted" 5 - 6 days easily. Everything is very accessible by ferry from Varenna. You will love it I'm sure.

For me, one week would definitely be too long. I loved spending two days based in Varenna a few years ago, walking to scenic places of interest within town and taking little trips by boat to other towns. It was a perfect place to recover from jet lag before continuing with the rest of my trip. But I think I would've found more than three days too much unless I had some specific interest or purpose in remaining in that area. But that doesn't mean a week would be too much for you.

We spent "A week in Bellagio" - the name of my report on Fodors- last summer and found enough to do. We travel a lot and take time to smell the roses but a week may be too long for some people.

You might be interested in my report and the replies.

Judi, your report was very helpful. How far is the Belvedere from where the ferry arrives? Wondering whether we'll need a taxi when we get there with luggage.

Thanks, rexmor. Someone who has stayed at the Belvedere might answer differently but we would have taken a taxi. It is a steep hill!

In deciding where to stay in Bellagio I chose the Florence for its location. If we were to return we would choose the Belvedere as it is a much nicer hotel IMO. The perfect hotel would be the Belvedere in the Florence's location!

Enjoy your trip!

For shopping, you'd do best to take the train to Milan and shop there! The shops in Bellagio mostly feature overpriced tourist stuff. You can get much more interesting things in Milan for the same money, and throw in some sightseeing there if the lake begins to pall - it's only an hour's train ride from Varenna.

best regards,
Deirdré Straughan

beginningwithi.com (personal)
www.tvblob.com (work)

We took a very cheap taxi to Hotel Belvedere as we had or should I say, my wife had some heavy luggage. I would HIGHLY recommend a deluxe room at this hotel. It was VERY easy to hit the shops and restaurants, as the walk was quite easy, unless you are infirmed or in your late 80's! We loved the views from our room. Heavenly. Couldn't get enough of the lake views and the people at the hotel were great.

Here's our pics if it helps:
http://photobucket.com/albums/v287/s...0Italy%20Pics/

We took pics of our room and the view from our room. Also got some from lovely Varenna. We could have easily spent more than a week in this area!

Here's our trip report too:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...ever&fid=2

Steve R

Thanks, Stever, this was VERY helpful. Confirmed my decision to stay at the Belvedere, and also my inclination to take the Deluxe room.

Rexmor: Glad to hear. You won't be disappointed. I'll never forget that view from the balcony of the lake after a rain. Marvelous.

Steve R

Rexmor, if you're still checking in... (I've been pre-occupied buying a new car.) Although I personally prefer the Hotel Florence in Bellagio and the Hotel du Lac in Varenna, you'll have a great time at the Belvedere in Bellagio. (The one-week minimum at the Metropole for 1000 euros wasn't a deal at all.) But just because you're staying in Bellagio, don't cross Varenna off your itinerary. It's a charming town worth a day of wandering/shopping/dining.

Jean, thanks for your input. I certainly plan to visit Varenna, and did consider staying there. However, it seemed like there would be more dining options in Bellagio, and we have decided to stay for 5 nights, so the multiple dining options will be a factor.
Sounds like you know the area very well. Does the ferry run late enough so that you can eat dinner in one town and return to your hotel in another?

rexmor, Ispent 4 days there last sept. It was spectacular Istayed at the hotel Metropole on the first floor with a large deck. Do not get the meal plan the food in the hotel is blah. There is a great resturant across the hotel,you walk up this steep incline on the right half way up you cant miss it is is outside dining and you sit beneath grape vines this place will blow youaway also with time you can take the ferry get onto the town accross the lake and take a bus to Switzerland.If you wish Iwill pull out more info for you.P.S is is a challange getting there you must use a train and ferries other than that woooowwwww.

I recently made a booking through the automated system at the Metropole for 3 nights at the beginning of Sept and received a wonderful rate. Cannot understand what they have quoted you and why a weeks booking

In 2001 my husband and I stayed in the hostel on Lake Menaggio. It was wonderful with incredible people and food!
http://www.menaggiohostel.com/
When we were there they did have private rooms (we weren't married and it was cheaper to do dormitory at the time) and they offer cooking classes and other activities!

If you don't need to stay on a budget I'm sure there are many other wonderful places to stay! I prefer the community of hostels and freedom of backpacking through Europe.

When I first applied to Metropole it was a month ago, and they were closed for the season. From the automated booking system I got the message that they only took one week reservations for that month, and that I would need to apply by e mail for shorter stays. I did so, and after I started this thread I did receive back a reply that they would accept a four night stay. In the interim, however, I decided to stay at the Belvedere, partly based upon input from this site, but also from the advice on "tripadvisor.com". Metropole seemed to have more "checkered" consumer feedback.

Hello again, Rexmor. Yes, it's possible to have dinner in Varenna or Menaggio and return by ferry to Bellagio. Most likely, you'll have to be seated early (possibly when the restaurant opens for dinner) in order not to be rushed before heading back to the ferry dock. It is imperative, however, that you check the ferry schedule yourself when you get there. Don't accept anyone's assurances on this forum about the time of the last ferry.

You can anticipate the ferry schedule by checking www.navigazionelaghi.it and www.bellagio.co.nz. The latter site has helpful tourist info. When you get to Bellagio, the tourist office (with more helpful info) is located in the small piazza adjacent to the church (just look for the bell tower).

Do a search on this forum for restaurants in Bellagio and Varenna and possibly Menaggio. I have recommended Bilacus in Bellagio many times, and we eat there at least once during every visit. In September, reservations are necessary, and the Belvedere should be happy to make them for you.

A couple of things in the area that we have enjoyed (beyond the usual tourist lists):

The falconry in the castle ruins above Varenna. You can take a somewhat steep hike up to the ruins or a city bus to the park entrance where the ruins are located. Get falconry and bus info from the Varenna tourist office. The birds are released for exercise a couple of times a day, and the views are spectacular.

The chapel La Madonna del Ghisallo in the hills a few miles south of Bellagio. This shrine to the patroness of cyclists is fascinating for anyone who follows international cycling, Le Tour and the Giro. The Tour de Lombardy passes the church every year (race is in early October). The walls are lined with riders' jerseys, photographs and even bicycles of the greats of (mostly Italian) cycling. Beautiful views toward the eastern leg of lower Lake Como.

Have a great time in one of my favorite places in Italy!