MyMaleEgo

Staying in Lugano for a few days, one of the days will drive to Minaggio, park and take a Ferry somewhere. Any recommendations for a day itinerary?

HappyTrvlr

Mennagio, Bellagio, Varenna, Mennagio a triangle

neckervd

The most popular places around Menaggio are the botanical gardens at Villa Carlotta and the villages of Bellagio and Varenna, both reachable by car ferry. From Varenna you could drive back to Menaggio around the upper half of the Lake.
You could also drive to a mountain village like Plesio or Garzeno with fine views over a big part of Lake Como.
You may also drive along the Lake from Menaggio up to Arcegno and continue to Pigra, a belvedere 700 metres above the Lake, with fine views to the lower part of the Lake. From Pigra you may drive to San Fedele - Lanzo - Sighignola (viewpoint just in front of Lugano) - Lanzo - Arogno - Maroggia - Melide - Lugano.

Jean

It depends on what interests you, how early you arrive in Menaggio and what time of year you're going. The ferries go off the frequent summer service after Sept. 29th.

There are several villas/gardens around the lake, two of which (Balbianello and Carlotta) are a few miles south of Menaggio. If either or both of those appeal to you, I would drive directly there before stopping in Menaggio.

http://www.friendsoffai.org/where-we...albianello.php

http://www.villacarlotta.it/

Gardens at Villa Melzi in Bellagio and Villa Monastero in Varenna:

http://www.giardinidivillamelzi.it/html/menu_-_eng.html

http://www.villamonastero.eu/index.php?lang=en

There are castle ruins and a falconry above the town of Varenna. You can hike to the ruins or take a taxi or the city bus up the hill, and the walk down is fairly easy. If you wanted to see the falcons, you need to time your visit around their exhibit schedule. IMO, the views from Varenna, and the castle in particular, are some of the best on the lake.

http://www.castellodivezio.it/inglese/index.php

As you may expect, Bellagio has the most shopping and nice restaurants. Menaggio, Bellagio and Varenna all have nice lakeside promenades.

If you ferry away from the western (Menaggio) shore of the lake, you need to make sure you know when the last ferry back to Menaggio departs from wherever you are.

http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/eng/c_illago.html

neckervd

Car ferries run until 11pm. The last bus from Como arrives at Menaggio around 9pm; the last bus from Colico arrives at Menaggio around 8.30pm
http://www.asfautolinee.it/Lineeeora...S/Default.aspx