nbbrown

Thank you for all your help in where to book our last night in Italy in June, for our anniversary...

Now we have to decide what to do with our rental car, as well as the best way to arrive in Bellagio...

We'll be coming from Levanto the day before, so do you have any advice on the best route to take to get to Bellagio? Our flight will leave the next day at noon out of Malpensa (do we want Terminal 1 or Terminal 2?) . Do you think it would be best to return it that morning, or should be drop it the day before and then possibly hire a driver? I'm not sure if we want to hassle with rental car drop off that next day.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

FYI- we've driven in Europe before and are not easily intimidated, and are comfortable on windy narrow roads. However, we do tend to cut time short and seem to always be rushed at the end to get to the airport on time!! (I think it's the innate urge to plant my feet and not leave!)

jnjfraz

I would make it easy on yourself and hire a driver. I would also ask the airline what terminal your flight leaves from.

ekscrunchy

Probably Terminal 1 but depends on where you are flying.

We drove easily from Menaggio to Malpensa for a flight departing around that time.
From Bellagio takes a bit longer but not problematic since you are used to driving.

You will probably have to return the car in Como unless you drive to the airport. When would you do this? You could do it early in the morning of departure and then take a taxi from Como. Perhaps that is the least stressful, if most expensive, option.

bobthenavigator

You may not want to here this, but that scenario suggests you should spend your last nite at either Stresa or at Lago Orta.
Much easier logistics---just keep the car and the drive in the AM is about an hour. Bellagio is much harder to access and is twice as far from MXP. I have done both.

Jean

I agree with bobthenavigator, but if you can afford the driver/taxi option then I say 'go for it.' A local person would know the potential traffic problems and alternate routes/detours.

nbbrown

Thanks for all your suggestions and thoughts -

You're right, Bob, I didn't want to hear that! But alas, I always trust thoughts of those experienced in areas I am not.

My problem is I already made hotel reservations in Bellagio, although I think I have time to cancel or change. Is it really that much more of difficult access? Can you give me an idea of time-wise? We certainly don't want to waste a lot of time just driving on our last full day in Italy.

ekscrunchy, how did you like Menaggio? It looks just charming on pictures I've seen. Is the road straighter, and that's what makes Bellagio a bit longer? Again, I'm thinking more in the lines of time rather than convenience.

A driver/taxi sounds like a great option, I just am not sure how to go about finding one.

Thanks again, all!

bobthenavigator

Look at www.orta.net to see the most romantic of all of the lake destinations---and I have been to all 5 multiple times.

It is a straight shot up A-26 from the coast and is less than an hour to MXP. Bellagio is a real hassle to drive to and to park. The pro drivers plan 2.5 hours from Bellagio to MXP. We did that last time from Bellagio and the driver cost us 180E--may be more now.

You can canel the hotel this far out.

Geonev

The two roads from Bellagio to, say, Como (and then beyond to MXP) are very narrow and a bit hair-raising. The one from the Mennagio side of the lake is a bit wider but still fairly narrow. What really makes Bellagio a longer drive to MXP is the fact that you have to take one of two skinny roads or the ferry, and both of those options takes more time.

nbbrown

Okay, I'd like to thank everyone for their help. At the risk of sounding wishy-washy (because I hate it when I'm wishy-washy), I think we'll just stay put our last night in Levanto and get an early start to MXP the next morning for our noon flight. I have to say, it's a bit of a relief to make the decision to limit our two week time period to just two areas.

There's several reasons for this - we promised ourselves we wouldn't try to cram too much in on our next trip, and I think the Lake region deserves more than a 24-hour visit. The last night we are in Italy is our anniversary and we'd like something special, and I don't want to feel entirely rushed. I'm sure there are plenty of romantic places in the Cinque Terre area to have a final romantic evening.

Lakes Como, Riomaggiore, and Orta will definitely be on our agenda for our next visit... I have never done much research on that area, but it looks stunning.

Thank you again for your help, and your patience with my indecisiveness. Fodorites have always been so gracious with their help!

bobthenavigator

Have fun!
You will like Levanto.

ekscrunchy

You will have to leave quite early, for that is quite a long drive--I am guessing about 3 hours or so.

Be at the airport by 9:30 to allow for returning rental car?

nbbrown

Thank you - Levanto looks beautiful, and the Cinque Terre has been one of our dream visits for a while now.

We thought of arriving at the airport between 9:00 and 9:30, and thought it to be about a 3-hour drive, so we must be figuring it accurately. I know it will be an early start, but we can rest on the plane ride home!