I thought we had decided to stay in Ballagio for 3 nights but others have recommended Lake Maggiore due to the proximity to Malpensa airport. We are travelling with another couple (4 adults). Some of the lake towns sounded a bit too sleepy. We're looking for a town with good restaurants, shops, people watching, and want to stay right on the lake. We've decided not to rent a car but instead likely hire a driver (luggage issue) or may still consider public transportation if it is as hassle free as possible.

Are there beautiful "happening" towns on Lake Maggiore that aren't too sleepy? We will be there in mid October '07. Thank you.

I haven't been myself, but my parents loved Pallanza.

It was me who recommended Maggiore, largely because you can easily get on a bus in Malpensa and go to Stresa or Baveno, from where you can tour the Borromeo Islands and the Pallavicino gardens (http://www.parcozoopallavicino.it/) , or take the cable car high up into the mountains for a hike with memorable views. There is a resort hotel in Baveno -- I believe the name is "Dino" but I could be wrong -- that is right at the water's edge. Otherwise, you have to choose carefully when you pick a hotel in Maggiore's lake towns, because the immediate shoreline is usually occupied by a road and a wide promenade, and hotels do not sit directly at the water's edge.

I've never done this, but many people enjoy taking the bus from Malpensa and going directly to Lugano in Switzerland.

http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/navp...oat-21672.html

The most visited towns of Lago di Como are basically tourist towns, without a lot of independent life. Menaggio comes closest to being a happening place with good people watching. Varenna is very quiet. Bellagio is kind of Las Vegas-like imitation of an Italian village these days, but the view is beyond belief.

If you are willing to pay the cost and make the effort, Lago di Como is justly famous for its view. If you want to quickly get to a nice place where you can relax at a lake like the Italians (and Swiss) do, poke around, and have a variety of amusing things to do, Maggiore is easy to get to.

hope that helps

I just spent a week in Stresa (for work) and liked it well enough that I'm returning for two weeks in June 2007.

As nessundorma points out, the hotels on Lake Maggiore do not sit directly on the water but instead on the other side of the lake road (though some large properties do have swimming pools or lounge areas directly on the water). This means that an uninterrupted view of the lake, islands, and mountains in the distance is available to everybody in town, and makes the stroll along the lake promenade very pleasant.

This is the hotel where I was booked for my recent work trip. Check out the photos, particularly the numerous pictures from the terraces and balconies to get an idea of the hotel's situation: http://www.lalunanelporto.it/indexuk.html

The rooms are all large (the apartments are huge) and the property and management are lovely.

As October is not high season, none of the lake resorts will be particularly "happening" in any case. Stresa does have a small town center, and there are several enotecas and bars that stay open late. I know that some of my colleagues went out dancing late until 4:00 in the morning, but I didn't go along so can't tell you exactly where.

The best meal I had in Stresa was on Isola dei Pescatori at a place called Verbano (also a hotel). Call ahead and book, and they'll send a motorboat to fetch you in the evening, and then take you back to Stresa afterwards.

We loved Sole di Ranco on the other side of the lake from Stressa. But, we also adored Bellagio, up at teh top of town away from the day trippers on ferries.

Another vote for Stresa; I've also stayed in Bellagio, and found it a very sleepy place...

PS: If you can do without the water views, you might enjoy a stay in Verona. Remember, too, that Torino is only 90 minutes by train from Milano.

wrrllw, what an interesting post. We all have our opinions and you are entitled to yours, of course -- but Bellagio is a "sleepy" place? The biggest complaint about Bellagio over and over again here is that it is too crowded -- too noisy -- or too busy. You are the first I'm seen to mention it as being too "sleepy"! Very interesting.