Mid-July Vacation on Lake Como Italy
 

We are a family of 4 (parents age 47 and children aged 14 and 16). We are considering a 10 day summer vacation somewhere on Lake Como rather than trying to join the sweaty masses on the Amalfi coast.

We would like to hear about personal experiences (must see places, must do daily excursions/activities; also "what not to do") and where to stay for a good "base of operations" (town and hotel).

We are also concerned about our teens becoming bored - they do enjoy museums, history, and culture. However, they can also burnout on these activities after 3-4 days. Keeping them entertained and interested for the entire holiday is a very important consideration.

Any and all advice/tips about traveling to Lake Como for a summer family vacation is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!
Darryl & Cathy

I love Bellagio on Lake Como, but I wouldn't spend 10 days there. I'm a little hyper, and I get bored easily. But if you guys are there for relaxation, you might enjoy the full 10 days. As far as activities, I only took the ferry over to Mennagio. On one trip I stayed in Varenna, but I personally like Bellagio better. I'm sure there are lots of water activites availalble and of course, hiking.

You might like to take an overnight trip to Switzerland since you will be close. I traveled by train from Varenna to Tirano, then on the Bernina Express to Chur. Beautiful scenery!

I agree, with 10 days I would suggest 2 destinations to keep from getting bored. The obvious choice would be the other lakes of that region, Maggiore and Orta. Or, train to Luzern via Lugano for at least 3 nites--or both.

Here is a look at the lakes region:

http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripw...c-00f0-c599?lb

You will be with the sweaty masses in Lago di Como in July. If people tell you otherwise, ask them to name the year they went to Lago di Como in July.

Lago di Garda would provide your kids with more to do, and the climate there is better than it is on Lago di Como (that's humid). If you fly into Milan, think of spending a few days in Verona, with day trips to Venice and the lower part of Lago di Garda, including Gardaland if your teens would be amused. You might even go to the opera in the Roman arena. Then rent a car or get on a hydrofoil and go to the other end of Lago di Garda, where there is biking and windsurfing and hiking.

But expect lots of company, whichever lake you choose. But if you choose Lago di Garda, you'll find fewer crowds of Rick Steves tourists and more Europeans on holiday.

What does everyone like to do? You won't find many museums or even very much 'history' at any of the lakes. Keeping the adults entertained and interested for 10 days on a lake is an important consideration too.

For a trip like this, I'd want a car the entire time to give maximum flexibility for day trips and/or splitting the time between two bases. I wouldn't go to Venice in mid-July, but that's me. I'd head north to the mountains.

We love Lake Como amd have stayed there several times for up to two weeks. But it all about scenery, gardens, relaxing. I think teens would get bored. If you do go, try to find a place with a pool for them. I agree that Lake Garda has more teen centered activities, wind surfing in particular.

FOLKS: This thread is 2 years old . . . It was topped by an advertiser . . .

janisj - Lake Como, Scotland & Jersey - quite a coincidence. Contact me on [email protected] if you want to know why these three places are connected!