I was scheduled to be in Lake Como in the middle of September but am now forced to delay my trip until the end of September. I hear that the businesses and most restaurants at the lakes basically shut down for the winter the first of October and there is nothing to do. Can anyone give me some insight into this?

It is not so everywhere along the Lake and, anyway, the first half of October is a lovely weather and the area is very enjoyable.

Vincenzo

I was at Como (and Maggiore, Lugano) first two weeks of October a couple of years ago and no, the whole place wasn't shut down. I stayed at Hotel Posta in town of Como and the hotel was full, the town was buzzing. Ferries, slow and fast, were running on a slightly modified schedule, but still it was easy to get around to the smaller towns with no delays.

Spent time in Bellagio, Varenna, Moltrasio, Menaggio and didn't notice much difference from previous trips in May or September. Gardens and villas were open for visits - Carlotta, Monastero, Cipressi, Balbianello, Serbelloni, etc. As Vicenzo wrote, it's a lovely time to be there.

Thank you! You have put my mind at ease. I am so looking forward to returning there since my last trip many, many years ago as a child. I have wonderful memories of how beautiful it was and was hoping that my experience wouldn't be dampened as a result of an unavoidable delay in my trip.

It had better be good---we plan for 2 weeks in an apartment in Bellagio the first 2 weeks of Oct. in 2009 to celebrate our 50th anniversary. That is after a week on Lago Lugano. We have been there in early Oct. before and the weather was good.

The last two years I have been in Bellagio in mid Oct. and nothing was closed.

You are going to be there during porcini time. Eat well!

Now I'm excited! And Happy 50th Anniversary, bobthenavigator! That is quite an accomplishment and my husband and I are jealous of your time together. Have a great time!

Hey, Bob, congratulations to you and your lovely bride on your golden anniversary.

Look forward to your new great pics from Lake Como.

Happy Anniversary to all!

As a general rule, the hotels and restaurants that will be closing for the season do so after approximately the second or third weekend of October. It's an economic decision based on confirmed and anticipated bookings. When the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio announces its seasonal closing date, the businesses that will be closing usually choose the same date.

But we've stayed in Bellagio and Varenna as late as November 1st and had a great time. Lodging, eating and shopping options in the two towns are reduced. The ferry schedule will change on October 6, 2008, and after that date it will be difficult (if not impossible) to eat dinner in one town and sleep in another. But it's a good trade-off for greatly reduced tourist numbers.

If you want more options, consider staying in Menaggio which is a larger town with fewer seasonal closings. There is even less of a seasonal impact on the town of Como, but I wouldn't stay there after October 6th (ferry schedule change) unless you have a car.

May I tag a question regarding accommodation onto this thread?

A friend wants to visit Lake Como 1st/2nd week of October and is looking for accommodation suggestions. She will be travelling solo, is flexible and a seasoned traveller.
Would appreciate info on places you've stayed & enjoyed in this area, please.

Many thanks

As always, will she be driving and what is her budget?

Sorry Bob, should have had more sense!
Her plans aren't nailed down at this stage and although she'll have a car, she also plans to have a few days in Milan and won't need it there. One thought was that she might take the train to Como, then the local bus up to Belagio etc., staying somewhere along the way.

As to budget, she would prefer something mid-lower range but, again, is not limited to that if something really outstanding presented itself. It's a few years since either of us was in Italy, so neither of us is up to date with the current rates.

What I was seeking was input from people who have stayed in the Lake Como vicinity. That way, as with the $$, if something took her fancy that was not practical without a car, she may decide to drive instead.

I guess that's the luxury of solo travel - you can be flexible enough to take advantage of unexpected opportunities.

We will be going to Bellagio that same time in 2009. I think Bellgio is a good location that late in the season. Here is a place that we are considering for an apt.
http://www.bellagioanticopozzo.eu/en/index.html

Also, the Hotel Florence is hard to beat for a single lady that time of year.

Thanks Bob, they look great. Makes me want to go too!

I am staying in Varenna the last week of October and thought the weather would be chilly but mild. Reading this thread scares me a little. Dreams of sitting outside for lunch and wandering through the towns has me thinking that I might be racing from place to place so I can huddle inside and get warm. I guess I'll just have to be prepared for a wide range of temperatures. I hope for a nice mild end of the month!

Bokhara2, to get to Bellagio, you can take the train to Como and a hydrofoil to Bellagio. Or take a train to Varenna, walk down the hill and catch the ferry to Bellagio. I'm not sure how often these services will be running when your friend arrives.

I wouldn't advise a car for this part of her trip. If she bases in any one of Bellagio, Varenna, or Menaggio, she'll probably use the ferry to get around.

Jotravel, we've been to mid-Lake Como many times in late October. We've only had rain on one trip, but it lasted the better part of one day. (In some compensation, the views from Varenna of the clouds over the lake were fantastic.) It has never been what I would describe as cold, even in the evening, and I've only ever taken a medium-weight rain coat and umbrella.

I will, however, warn that your "dreams of sitting outside for lunch" may or may not come true. If the lakeside cafes are not serving outside, try the terrace at the Bilacus in Bellagio on Salita Serbelloni.

Have a great time in one of my favorite places!

Thanks everyone - Mimar, my friend's heading up there next week, so your timing was perfect