In trying to put together an itinerary for my next trip to Italy, I have come to the harsh realization I can't go everywhere I'd like in 2 weeks. Thus, I will need to limit my lakes portion of the trip to 2 of these four lakes. I plan to stay at each for 3-4 nights.

Which 2 lakes, including 'base' towns, would you recommend for variety, nearby day trips, etc.

Thanks for your help.

Hi Nomad - I don't know Lake Orta, but of the others Lake Como would be my first choice.

Base in one of the mid-lake towns - Menaggio, Bellagio or Varenna.

Besides visiting the other lakeside towns, other day-trip options from Lake Como include Lugano (- scenic 1 hr bus ride from Menaggio), the Bernina Express (- to San Moritz), Bergamo ...


I only know the Stresa area of Lake Maggiore - and don't find it comparable scenically to Como.

The northern Swiss part of Maggiore might be a better bet IMO. From there one of your potential day-trips is the Centovalli train ride ...

Hope this helps ...

Steve

In terms of landscape, Lago di Como is most spectacular.

In terms of art and architecture, Lago Maggiore is most spectacular. Isola Bella is a must-see. Stresa or Baveno will be the base.

3-4 nights for each of the lakes will be a lot of time, leaving enough time for daytrips, e.g. to Milano.

What about another suggestion: You stay for 2 nights at Lago Maggiore, for another 2 nights at on Lago di Como and 2 nights at Lago di Garda (which is, IMO, most spectacular in terms of both landscape and art and architecture)?

I happen to think that Lake Lugano is the most spectacular (fjord-like) and that the town of Lugano is the best location to base in (most central to all The Lakes).

We spent a week there and were able to rather easily see the entire region, including Orta San Giulio, our favorite lakeside town.

I highly recommend Lake Orta. You can do it as a day trip from Stresa (Lake Maggiore). Stop and see the chapels to St. Francis (Sacro Monte) along the way and then spend the afternoon in Orta San Guilio (about 45 minutes from Stresa).

Orta San Guilio is a gem - frescoed buildings and a wonderful church. There's a basilica on a very small island and there are boat men to take you there for a small fee (it's only a few minutes from shore). You can see this island from Sacro Monte.

I had one week in the lakes and divided my time between Bellagio and Stresa. I did not have a car in Bellagio as the ferries stop in all the small towns on all sides of the lake and everything is walkable. I loved taking the ferries from town to town, watching as one town receeded and the next one appeared - it was magical.

I picked up a car in Como (took the hydrofoil to Como) and then drove to Stresa. It was a great week and plenty of time for all 3 lakes.

Here's a link to my trip report with photos.

http://home.att.net/~adrienne2/italy_2003.htm

I see Como and Lugano as a pair and Maggiore and Orta as another pair. You can see all 4 of those lakes with only 2 hotel stays. Here are some recent shots of the latter. Hard to go wrong--I love the lakes.
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4173

Thanks to all for the great suggestions. A very big help.

traveller, I would like to do Lago di Garda. However, based upon my current (but subject-to-change) itinerary, I don't think it will really work with plans to fly back from Milan.

Steve, I am definitely up for the Centovalli train ride. It looks like staying along the Swiss part of Maggiore or in Lugano would work best for this.

adrienne and bob, thanks for the great photos and trip reports. They really convey the best aspects of a locale and significantly fuel the travel fires.

Tuck, your idea of one central location for a week sounds very appealing. Lugano does look like it would work well in that regard. I'll have to run these thoughts by my wife and travel partners. Did you need a car to cover the region?

By the way, does anyone know if there is much in the way of festivals in this part of Italy?

Thanks again.

>> Did you need a car to cover the region? <<

Oh yes indeed - wouldn't have been able to get off the main road and roam around up in the hills above The Lakes without it...