Lake Como
Aug 13th, 2006, 07:01 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lake Como
My husband and I will be taking a trip to Italy in late September and plan to spend 2 to 3 days in the Lake Como area.
1) Where on the lake would be the best place to stay? Bellagio? Lecco? Como? Mennagio? We plan to take ferries around the lake and make several different stops but we are wondering where we should make our base.
2) Suggestions of nice hotels in the $200 to $300 Euro range?
3) Must see places on the lake?
Thanks in advance for any advice or tips.
1) Where on the lake would be the best place to stay? Bellagio? Lecco? Como? Mennagio? We plan to take ferries around the lake and make several different stops but we are wondering where we should make our base.
2) Suggestions of nice hotels in the $200 to $300 Euro range?
3) Must see places on the lake?
Thanks in advance for any advice or tips.
Aug 13th, 2006, 07:11 PM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Your hotel budget allows for some of the nicest hotels on the lake with views, so the only question is your personal likes and dislikes.
Bellagio is famous for its view, but many people dislike the wall-to-wall tourism that dominates the town. A short boat ride away is Varenna, with views that are truly lovely if not quite as amazing as Bellagio's, but it retains more of its true Italian character than Bellagio -- although many complain it is too quiet. One advantage of Varenna is that it has a train station.
If you have a car, Mennaggio is the most easily reached, and because of that, it is the liveliest of the 3 towns that afford easy access to the best views on the lake.
Como and Lecco are rather removed from the best touristing. If you want a lot of peace and quiet, check out the Eremo Gaudio hotel in Varenna (but not if you are disabled) or pick a town north of Bellagio/Varenna/Menaggio that isn't famous at all. If you'd like to be convenient to the tourist attractions, stay near Bellagio.
Bellagio is famous for its view, but many people dislike the wall-to-wall tourism that dominates the town. A short boat ride away is Varenna, with views that are truly lovely if not quite as amazing as Bellagio's, but it retains more of its true Italian character than Bellagio -- although many complain it is too quiet. One advantage of Varenna is that it has a train station.
If you have a car, Mennaggio is the most easily reached, and because of that, it is the liveliest of the 3 towns that afford easy access to the best views on the lake.
Como and Lecco are rather removed from the best touristing. If you want a lot of peace and quiet, check out the Eremo Gaudio hotel in Varenna (but not if you are disabled) or pick a town north of Bellagio/Varenna/Menaggio that isn't famous at all. If you'd like to be convenient to the tourist attractions, stay near Bellagio.
Aug 13th, 2006, 09:45 PM
#3
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The well-known towns you mentioned on Lago de Como are crowded, and all can easily be reached by water taxi whenever you wish. For a nice hotel in a very small and quiet town where locals holiday I would recommend the Hotel San Georgio in Lenno. Right on the lake across from Belagio. Lake view room only, though. The mountain view rooms are subject to some road noise.
Aug 13th, 2006, 10:10 PM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I suggest Hotel du Lac in Varenna, not to be confused with the hotel of the same name in another town. You can see photos and read my trip report at http://www.travelswithdiane.homestea...5LakeComo.html
The villas are worth visiting. Two in Varenna are the Villa Cipressi and Villa Monestaro. Both are within walking distance of the Hotel du Lac.
If you go to the Villa Balbianello, be sure to take the 45-minute tour of the house. The Villa Carlotta has beautiful gardens.
Our favorite restaurant on Lake Como was Bilacus in Bellagio.
Enjoy!
The villas are worth visiting. Two in Varenna are the Villa Cipressi and Villa Monestaro. Both are within walking distance of the Hotel du Lac.
If you go to the Villa Balbianello, be sure to take the 45-minute tour of the house. The Villa Carlotta has beautiful gardens.
Our favorite restaurant on Lake Como was Bilacus in Bellagio.
Enjoy!
Aug 14th, 2006, 10:17 AM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you for your replies, I have been checking out all of your suggestions. I emailed the staff at Eremo Gaudio and they only have a lower level room, standard double with no balcony. It seems from everything I have read about this place the reason to stay is the views, so I am wondering would I still get the same satisfaction with a lower level no balcony room. Nessundorma, if you have first hand experience please do let me know. In the meantime I have been having a good time reading and viewing luvtotravels website and am also considering Hotel Du Lac. So many choices to consider.
Thank you
Thank you
Aug 14th, 2006, 11:38 AM
#6
Another vote for the Hotel du Lac in Varenna, but I also recommend the Hotel Florence in Bellagio. Both are within your budget range. I happen to think the views from Varenna are more spectacular than from Bellagio, especially in the morning and especially from the hills above the town. The weather should be great.
By late September, the tourist crowds in Bellagio during the day will have lessened just slightly and are very nearly gone by dinner time. Dinner reservations would still be needed, but you could probably make them after you get to the lake. For more peace of mind, you could ask your hotel to make them before you arrive. My favorite restaurant is Bilacus in Bellagio.
If two days, spend the equivalent of one day exploring Bellagio and Varenna and the equivalent of another day ferrying to either Villa Carlotta or Villa Balbianello or somewhere else on the lake that offers something of interest to you. With three days, you can spend even more time exploring other sights on the lake that fit your interests.
If villas and gardens don't appeal, there are short walks and hikes in the Varenna and Bellagio area. One of my favorites is the walk DOWN from the castle ruins and falconry above Varenna. Absolutely gorgeous views. Take the Varenna city bus up the hill; ask for details at the Info Center.
By late September, the tourist crowds in Bellagio during the day will have lessened just slightly and are very nearly gone by dinner time. Dinner reservations would still be needed, but you could probably make them after you get to the lake. For more peace of mind, you could ask your hotel to make them before you arrive. My favorite restaurant is Bilacus in Bellagio.
If two days, spend the equivalent of one day exploring Bellagio and Varenna and the equivalent of another day ferrying to either Villa Carlotta or Villa Balbianello or somewhere else on the lake that offers something of interest to you. With three days, you can spend even more time exploring other sights on the lake that fit your interests.
If villas and gardens don't appeal, there are short walks and hikes in the Varenna and Bellagio area. One of my favorites is the walk DOWN from the castle ruins and falconry above Varenna. Absolutely gorgeous views. Take the Varenna city bus up the hill; ask for details at the Info Center.
Aug 14th, 2006, 03:57 PM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not sure what is wrong with my website, but you can read my report on Lake Como by first going to Page 1 and clicking on "continue" at the bottom to the fifth page.
www.travelswithdiane.com/Trip2006Page1.html.
www.travelswithdiane.com/Trip2006Page1.html.
Aug 14th, 2006, 04:17 PM
#10
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,514
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I didn't have any problem with your previous link . . . ?
Your pictures are great. We stayed at the Villa Cipressi, but none of my photos came out as nice as yours.
Poogie - we really enjoyed staying in the quieter Varenna. I rarely have a car, so it worked out nicely for us to go via train, and use the boat service for reaching the other towns.
Your pictures are great. We stayed at the Villa Cipressi, but none of my photos came out as nice as yours.
Poogie - we really enjoyed staying in the quieter Varenna. I rarely have a car, so it worked out nicely for us to go via train, and use the boat service for reaching the other towns.
Shirley
