ishki

Four of us (adults) are finishing a cruise in Venice and want about 4 days to relax in a lovely spot before flying home from Milan. We won't have our own transport, so will be taking a train. We are thinking of a picturesque town perhaps on one of the lakes. If anyone has any suggestions I would love to hear them - thank you.

latedaytraveler

Just about anywhere on Lake Como. You will love it...

Treesa

How about Sirmione in Lago di Garda? Doesn't get much better than that. And you are so much closer to Venice. Lake Como would be my second choice.

Jean

What time is your flight out of Malpensa? If you spent the last night at/near the airport, your options open up. Otherwise:

Sirmione is more than 3 hours from Malpensa. You'd take a taxi (or bus?) to the train station and then two trains to Malpensa.

Varenna on Lake Como is 2-3 hours and two trains to Malpensa, but you could hire a taxi or take a shuttle service from Varenna to the airport. Staying in Bellagio would add about 30 minutes plus a ferry ride. The town of Como is about an hour from Malpensa but still two trains. But, again, you could consider a taxi.

http://www.flytolake.com/home/index.php

violetduck

Stresa on Lake Maggiore is about an hour from Milan Malpensa by train or bus. We took a bus which was right outside the airport. Stresa does not have many sights of its own but has easy boat connections to three beautiful islands Isola Bella, Isola Pescatori and Isola Madre. The wealthy Borromeo family filled the islands with elaborate villas and terraced gardens. Stresa's waterfront has a nice promenade with expansive views of the lake, islands and mountains. There are many stately hotels along the waterfront. Do a search for pix of Stresa and the islands, especially Isola Bella to see its beauty.

valtor

Stresa

ishki

Thanks so much for your ideas. I forgot to mention that we had decided to spend the last night of our trip in Milan to be near the airport. It sounds like Lake Maggiore is closest to Malpensa - has anyone stayed in Verbania - my sister mentioned it as a likely spot to stay.

tarquin

Bergamo looks very nice and is closer to Milan.

kybourbon

What time of year?

bobthenavigator

I agree with Stresa---easy logistics.

colonna

On Isola Pescatori, at Stresa, there's a hotel/restaurant called Albergo Verbano where I've always wanted to stay-- haven't made it yet-- perhaps someone else has and can report back. It looks just beautiful.

Dayle

Ishki,

We visited Lago Maggiore in 2005 and stayed at Hotel Verbano on Isola dei Pescatori. Just loved it! We only stayed 2 nights, but would have loved a couple more.

The hotel was very nice and their restaurant excellent. Our room and bath was very spacious and at the lake terrace level. The terrace was shared with 3 other rooms and was big enough for a wedding. I'm sure they do many of them there!

Views to die for. Completely quiet at night. The public boat service ends/starts at certain hours, so if you need to arrive/depart outside of those hours, ask in advance for the hotel to arrange a private boat for you to the Stresa dock.

We visited all 3 islands plus Villa Taranto.

We trained back to Milano Centrale and that trip too, was just about an hour.

Buon viaggio!

bobthenavigator

http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...at=4173&page=3

Here it is------hotel and island.

ishki

Thanks everyone for the great information. We would be travelling in mid September. Bobthenavigator - thanks for the photos. I also loved your Dolomite photos on another post.