We are a group of six friends traveling together for a few weeks in Italy. So far we plan to fly into Venice (which is where we ended our last adventure) and spend two nights, the travel by train to the Lakes District - but here's where it gets fuzzy. Which town to use as a base for 3 nights? Como? From wherever we end up for those 3 nights, we're thinking of then traveling up to Lugano, Switzerland for 2 nights (again by train) and then down to Milan to pick up our rental car. Then 6 nights in Tuscany (villa rental) with the rental car, which we will then use to get us to Rome. We'll drop the rental in Rome and spend 3 nights in Rome (apartment rental). Then, sadly, my DH and I will head home and the other 4 will travel by train to London.

We're almost set on the rental villa - San Gimingiano or San Miniato area - but that first week up in the lakes really has us at loose ends.

Any and all suggestions will be most welcome!!

I should proofread... I really should! I should also add that we are making this trip in mid-April, but after Easter weekend.

Do you know that Easter is April 24 next year? Does not leave you a lot of time in April if you go after Easter.

Check your calender---Easter is 24 April this year.

Train to Vernazza via Milan for Lago Como. Then ferry to Menaggio on the west shore as you leave the lake and bus to Lugano--only an hour from Menaggio.

Train from Lugano to the city of Como to get your car--do not try to drive in MIlan.

It will be chilly at the lake in April---we had snow on 12 April some years ago.

Here are some images to get you excited.

http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4442

We recently stayed in Carate Urio on the lake in a 'magnificent' apartment. We were two couples but the place actually had 3 bedrooms, all doubles. There was a ferry service basically outside the door and the best local pub we encountered on our whole trip (3.5months) We loved the pub so much that when we found ourselves with a night spare up that way again, we called in and spent the night.

http://www.hotelorsobruno.com/
http://www.lakecomohomes.com/view/Te...-Elegante.aspx

The photos of the apartment dont do it justice, AMAZING!

Oops forgot to say we also had a great place just outside the walls of San Gimingiano.

http://www.agriturismoniccolai.it/to..._gimignano.php

They weren't great with emails so once I decided that we wanted to stay there I rang them. English was fine.