I am planning a ten-day trip for two adults in Italy. It's not our first visit to Italy. We've been to Rome, and then did a big loop of Naples, Sorrento, Capri. This time we are interested in seeing the Lake Como area.

We are into beautiful scenery, food, wine, relaxing by the water. I started putting together a detailed plan, planning to travel soon in September. Looking for suggestions and critique on the itinerary.

Flying into Milan, and then taking the train to Lake Como. (Is this difficult to do?) Stay in Lake Como for 4-5 days. Are their any day-trips you recommend with Lake Como as your home base? Anything in Switzerland, maybe?

The next part of the trip I am still finalizing. Option 1 is to take the train directly to Rome and stay in Rome 5 days before heading back to NYC. Option 2 is to add another city to the itinerary between Lake Como and Rome (would love to see Tuscany). Option 3 would be to add another city before Lake Como (maybe Zurich?).

Critique, suggestions, advices are welcome on where to stay (prefer luxury accommodations with swimming pools), eat, what else to visit or how much time to spend at each location (that is my weak point at this time yet).

Thanks in advance!

I would stay north.
Either Zurich, Luzern, Como
Or, Como, Venice---5 days each. If Venice, I would start there.

Thanks, Bob. Unfortunately our return flight is out of Rome so have to make our way there. With that in mind, what would you suggest?

Well, the train to Rome passes thru Florence--why not 2 or 3 nites there? If 3, then I would do a day trip to Siena--about 1:15 by local bus. Or, hire a private driver for one good day in the Tuscan hill towns--expect to pay 300 to 350E.
For hotels at Como, look at Grand Hotel Tremezzo and Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio---I was in their pool last Sep.

Heer are some pics at Como:
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4442

I like your original option, but Tuscany is special.How much time did you have in Rome? You might consider 3 night Como, train to Florence and rent a car stay 2 or 3 nights Chianti (or Val D' Orcia)area and last 3 nights in Rome.

Thanks jabez! Do you have any recommendations of places to stay in Chianti or Val D'Orcia? Is renting a car neccesary or is their any way to get around that with trains/taxis?

Thanks again!

Thanks, Bob. Do you have used a private driver in the area that you might recommend? Both of those hotels at Como look gorgeous (as do your pictures!).

Luca is very popular:
http://www.hillsandroads.com/

I also like Alex, but he lives in Montalcino:
http://www.montalcinotravel.com/intro_eng.htm

My favorite Chianti stay is Podere Torre outside Greve.We will have our fourth stay there this October. We have also stayed at a couple other nice places, when it was booked. IMHO the best value in Italy and a true gem of a place.

We have stayed outside Buonconvento and in Montepulciano once as well as inside Montalcino four times (three different places). It depends on what you want to pay, but the Palazzina Cesira is a great value and Vecchia Oliviera has great views.

Last month after 3 nights in Florence we took the train to Chuisi and then a taxi (40Euros) to Montepulciano and stayed two nights at Meuble Il Riccio http://www.ilriccio.net/english/index.html.

It was a beautiful little town and gave us a nice flavor of Tuscany before we continued on to Rome. From Montepulciano we took a local bus to Pienza which was also a beautiful small town and we got to see some countryside from the bus.

In Lake Como two years ago we stayed in Varenna at the Hotel du Lac. Really liked this lakeside hotel and loved Varenna.

Very easy to get the train to Como and then use buses or the ferry. I think that Lake Como is the most beautiful place in the world....this website and blog has lots of useful info

http://www.lakecomoapartment.com