Lake Como -Lake Maggiore-Lake Lugano Region
 

How do you decide where to go and stay in the Como-Lugano region? Are the any smaller towns besides Como and Lugano that would be a good choice...???...Looking for somewhere on the water with activities focused around the lake...Need some help figuring out this area...any sugestions would be appreciated...

ditto

For Lake Como, look at:

www.bellagio.co.nz (list of things to do about halfway down the page)
www.menaggio.com (click on info for list under sports)

There is also a very good Tourist Info Office in Varenna.

Both of the above sites are also helpful to begin your hotel/apartment search.

I'm sure there are similar web pages for Lugano, although I think there are more water-related activities on Como.

Stresa, on Lago Maggiore, is very nice with very convenient ferry service to the interesting islands in the lake. Nice lakeside promenade and shopping areas and wasn't too crowded when we were there about 3 years ago.

We stayed in Lugano a couple of years ago and loved it. I know some people feel it's too large - and from the boat you can see how it spreads up the mountain - but the tourist area along the lakeside is charming and relatively compact. Certainly, it's very walkable. There are the oldest sections with street markets and frescoed buidlings. And then high-end stores, and the CO-OP department store with the most incredible deli in the basement for food for picnics on a bench along the lake. The August we were there, there was a Caribbean concert in the main piazza, and there were strolling classical musicians in the piazza below our hotel window.
There's a beach, and rental places for small pedal boats, if I remember correctly. But we took the cruise around the lake which allows you to get off and on at the villages that circle the lake - Gandria was lovely - and then we got off at Paradiso to take the funiculare up Mont San Salvatore. Wow, what views.
Also, if so inclined, there is a casino, but it's more low key - definitely not Vegas!

Are you driving--all the difference?

alibc:

Hi. we favor one of the smaller lakes in the district, as our illustrious Navigator (above) will tell you...I think he likes as much as we do.

Lake Orta. Just a short distance from Malpensa Airport..and close enough to Como, Maggiore and Lugano..again, as Bob says, driving makes all the difference.
Stu T.
Stu T.

Stayed in Varenna and also in Lugano.
Loved both- Varenna is beautiful and
very slow paced. You can ferry to Bellagio across the lake and other villages.
toni_g_b described Lugano well. Much to do and also a nice park on the lake,great for picnics. The Lugano Dante Swiss Hotel's service and breakfast are not to miss. If you are traveling by train the funicular to the rail station is right by the door of the hotel making
day trips easy.

The crown jewel of Lago di Como is Bellagio, although it's not necessary to actually stay there. Just make sure you go there in daylight on a clear day to see the view.

Are there any beaches in the area where one can just relax and swim on a hot summer day?

People don't swim in the lakes. They are too cold.

After much research, I stayed in Orta, (http://tinyurl.com/2etoo9) Varenna, (http://tinyurl.com/ynqo2q) & Torri del Benaco on Garda...

I'm with Bob, adored Orta (and indeed swam in the lake off the little launch of my Hotel San Rocco--(comments at the link above); and, loved staying in quieter Varenna on Como, which has a sweet little beach. Visiting Bellagio from there by boat was both easy and beautiful--it's a bit too touristy for me.

It may depend on what type of 'water activities' you're thinking of.

Karen

People do swim, waterski and sail on Lake Como, but the water is cold. These are all snowmelt-fed lakes.

There is a public pool complex in Bellagio, and there are a few hotels in Bellagio and Menaggio which have swimming pools.

Hi A,

Friends just returned from Como on Thursday.

They said that they much preferred Como to the smaller towns along the lake, as there was better transportation when they wanted to go somewhere else for a day.

They also report that restaurant prices were somewhat higher than expected, eg, a 1/2 carafe of house wine ran about 12-15E.

((I))

I think Lake Como is Heaven on earth!! We stayed in Albergo Olivedo (room 21) and had the most amazing view over the lake (room is on a corner so we had different views from the room)Here is the hotel website:
http://www.olivedo.it/olivedo/inglese/home.htm

The ferry docks right in front of the hotel so transportation around the lake is very convenient. I highly recommend Villa Balbianello for a visit. Here's a link to a Flickr photo of this gorgeous spot:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/richmeakin/321444489/