Lake Como or lake Maggiore?
Jan 22nd, 2006 | 08:32 AM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,194
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If the answer depends on proximity, then the two are so similar that the answer is "it depnds"... from WHERE in Milan? (it's a big city) and TO where on each lake? and by what mode opf transport?
According to viamichelin.com
Milan to (the city of) Como is 51 km, whereas Milan to Menaggio is 83 km - - but Malpensa-Como would be less than 51; Linate-Como would be more.
Milan to Stresa is 89 km, but from Malpensa, probably less than half that.
It's hard for me to believe that Lake Como could be surpassed, strictly on its paradise-like beauty and the spectacle of architecture in the villas which overlook it - - but I have never been to Maggiore, and it is much, much praised by those who have it. Lake Como, generally, and Bellagio in particular has a bit more of a "Rodeo Drive" element to it (so again, is that a plus? or a minus, to you?), but it is well balanced by the more pedstrian character of Menaggio and Varenna.
More reading might make the decision easier for you. What kind of lodging do you seek? Are you more a Ferrari kind of person (at Monza Grand Prix time, I saw four of them parked on the front of circle at one hotel in Bellagio, for example)? or Fiat? By contrast, at Sunday morning mass, in Menaggio, you will find yourself among absolutely ordinary working-class Italians - - some of whom might not even own a car, nor readily be able to afford one).
Best wishes,
Rex
According to viamichelin.com
Milan to (the city of) Como is 51 km, whereas Milan to Menaggio is 83 km - - but Malpensa-Como would be less than 51; Linate-Como would be more.
Milan to Stresa is 89 km, but from Malpensa, probably less than half that.
It's hard for me to believe that Lake Como could be surpassed, strictly on its paradise-like beauty and the spectacle of architecture in the villas which overlook it - - but I have never been to Maggiore, and it is much, much praised by those who have it. Lake Como, generally, and Bellagio in particular has a bit more of a "Rodeo Drive" element to it (so again, is that a plus? or a minus, to you?), but it is well balanced by the more pedstrian character of Menaggio and Varenna.
More reading might make the decision easier for you. What kind of lodging do you seek? Are you more a Ferrari kind of person (at Monza Grand Prix time, I saw four of them parked on the front of circle at one hotel in Bellagio, for example)? or Fiat? By contrast, at Sunday morning mass, in Menaggio, you will find yourself among absolutely ordinary working-class Italians - - some of whom might not even own a car, nor readily be able to afford one).
Best wishes,
Rex
Jan 22nd, 2006 | 08:59 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,793
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I much preferred Lake Como. I didn't like Stesa on Lake Maggiore at all.
There are many threads on exactly this topic of comparing these two lakes. I read through many of the older threads before my trip in October 2003, and I've posted on the newer threads on the same topic since my trip.
There are many threads on exactly this topic of comparing these two lakes. I read through many of the older threads before my trip in October 2003, and I've posted on the newer threads on the same topic since my trip.
Jan 22nd, 2006 | 06:29 PM
#6
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,117
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And, if you wanted to see two of the Lakes, Lake Como and which? If you weren't renting a car, would you have to go back to Milan by train? Is there another way? Or does everyone just pick a lake and that's where you allot your time?
Jan 23rd, 2006 | 12:14 AM
#7
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 470
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You are probably going to land at Malp. airport which is physically closer to Lake M. than Milan itself! It is possible, but not obvious to find the seasonal bus that will directly put you there, which can be a great saving of dealing with mostly dreary Milan. Stresa is the obvious but not entirely charming place to stay, while taking ferry daytrips to the more scenic villages to the north.
Otherwise there are fast trains to Como town (or better to Varenna) at lake Como from Milan. They may involve an exasperating change across town from one train station to another or from the airport bus drop to another remote train station - they don't necessarily use termini central. If you have cleverly used the smaller Milan airports such as Linate or Bergamo there are sometimes shortcuts in getting to various lakes that may bypass the Milan mess.
I don't like lake Como much since the lake is so narrow it's almost like a river and the towns are either overly twee or else kinda run down. But the Stresa part of Lake M. appeals even less, unless you ferry quite a long ways north. This seems a minority opinion, as well as my wild enthusiasm for Lake Garda and that tiny lake with an island in the middle (Iseo?). Lugano has some pluses, although maybe not the Italian side.
Otherwise there are fast trains to Como town (or better to Varenna) at lake Como from Milan. They may involve an exasperating change across town from one train station to another or from the airport bus drop to another remote train station - they don't necessarily use termini central. If you have cleverly used the smaller Milan airports such as Linate or Bergamo there are sometimes shortcuts in getting to various lakes that may bypass the Milan mess.
I don't like lake Como much since the lake is so narrow it's almost like a river and the towns are either overly twee or else kinda run down. But the Stresa part of Lake M. appeals even less, unless you ferry quite a long ways north. This seems a minority opinion, as well as my wild enthusiasm for Lake Garda and that tiny lake with an island in the middle (Iseo?). Lugano has some pluses, although maybe not the Italian side.
