We are traveling to Italy in June. I just booked our first 2 nights in Milan...should we travel to Lake Como for a couple of nights or just head straight to Venice or Tuscany? We are a young couple and are looking for fun places to visit in Italy. Will we enjoy it there or be bored? Do you have any suggestions of some great hotels, attractions, etc??

I would spend more time in the Lake Como area than in Milan-Bellagio was wonderful! There are some wonderful little villages to see. There's good food, wine, and scenery. It's Italy! You can't be bored. We were there last June. You can sit out and relax at a pool or go from village to village. Take your pick. You can also go to Switzerland if you want to. Have a great time whatever you deicde.

Diane

It depends what you're looking for but we liked it a lot! We spent a few nights in Bellagio and took daytrips to Varenna, Como and the other little towns nearby. We thought the lake was really pretty and all the towns were fun to poke around.

Thank you for your responses. Do you have hotel suggestions? We would like one on the lake (or at least with a view) or with a pool (and bar area) Grazie!

WE are going to our honeymoon in June and will arr Milan, head immed. to Varenna to relax for a few days before heading to Venice via train. There's great hotel selectionson this board and the Hotel Belvedere in Bellagio has a pool.

One alternative, worthy of consideration is Sirmione, on Lake Garda - - gets you headed in the right direction towards Venice. It's not as gloriously beautiful as Lake Como, but not as expensive either, and como might be described as possibly a little more sedate. You have certain watersports (e.g., windsurfing) possible at the northern end of Lake Garda - - just about an hour away, riding on the lake - - and lots of lovely destinations between the southern and northern ends of the lake.

Best wishes,

Rex

Hi Ruby, We just got back from Italy last Thurs. and I know I may get hammered for this, but I do think Bellagio is quiet, little, sedate hamlet. We were there for 3 nights, and my DH started to get a just a bit antsy. He felt slightly isolated and perhaps not "thrilled". Me? I loved everything and Bellagio was beautiful, but IMVHO, not any more than Stresa, SML,Portofino...you get my drift? I guess it comes down to what makes you happy, yes? I actually liked Lago Maggiore just a tad better. Judy

Judy, Tell us more !

Dear Ruby,
I have to side with Judy. I always thought our impression was the result of visiting Bellagio in late season (late Sept.) and it may well have been a factor. But I've re-visited the area and my general impression is it is a very beautiful and relaxing place--too relaxing for us. It's old money, old world charming, not particularly stimulating for us. We planned to stay 3 nights our first visit and moved on after two. Still it was a place we wanted to see and are glad we did but if I had Venice and Tuscany in front of me, I would save my days for them.
Don't worry though, you're in Italy and you can't go wrong. Ciao.
Paul

I guess it all depends on your expectations. We fell in love with Bellagio and Lake Como in general immediately. We stayed three nights and wish it had be longer.

Thank you so much for all of your responses. Well, I think we are going to spend one night in Lake Como, so we want it to be a good one. There are so many little towns and different inns around that area. Where do 2 young people stay? We don't want to be isolated from people....I know it is a relaxing place, but where is the most action at in Lake Como? Hotel suggestions?

I don't mean to sound sarcastic, but perhaps you should skip Lake Como altogether. One really doesn't go there for the "action"!

I suggesed that to my guy, but a couple of his sister's friends told him we have to "see" it. So, that's all we really want to do. I found a warerskiing tour for Lake Como though! Fun....right up my alley. Here's the thing we are young parents and our lives are very basic. We just want this to be the trip of our lives so far. We relax all the time....time for fun Thanks!

Hi All (and Bob), we stayed at the Belvedere and had a corner 4th floor room overlooking the Lake (fab views). It was large and the bathroom had a view of the lake from our tub! The staff was wonderful and the bkfast was great! We ate at Bilacus(excellent), Ristorante SanGiacomo(excellent too)(2), couldn't get into Bilacus again. Thought the town charming, BUT just as charming as the other towns we visited. DH liked SML best. I liked Stresa best. I will do a trip report later today. I would have probably shaved a day off of Bellagi0 and SML(4nights there) and visited another lake or town, La Spezia possibly....big question mark? Ruby: as long as you don't expect Ibiza, you will be fine for one night there. Como had a larger proportion of younger people(IMO) there when we went for the day, but it was not at all like Bellagio. We were going to do a kayak tour in B, but they did not want to just take 2 people out(we were the only ones to sign up). Judy