Buona Sera!

I am planning a two week trip to Italy - most likely for late May/early June (Continental hasn't opened up their reward travel that far out).

Am on sort of a tight budget and usually I like to mix staying at neat small places with somewhere I can use my plethra of reward points. So, we are flying into Milan and I am wondering if we could crash in the Marriott for free and take day trips to the Lakes (my mother and I love gardens and I think there are some there we would really enjoy) before heading on to Veneto. I would want to take the train as that is planned mode of transport until we reach Tuscany. I have checked the train schedule and it doesn't seem to be a bad trek to Como. Any input? Thanks so much!

Frankly, for Lake Como I wouldn't necessarily go to the town of Como itself, although you can do that (good silk goods shopping) and take a ferry or hydrofoil up the lake from there. You might consider, as an alternative, taking the train (about 1 1/2 hours from Centrale) to Varenna which is in the so-called "mid-lake" area (sit on the left side of the train for the best views). From Varenna you can easily ferry over to either Bellagio or Menaggio or both. Hope this helps a bit.

How can knowing which side of the train to sit on not help! Thanks

1 1/2 hours to Varenna - hmmm. . .

If you love gardens, one of the places to visit is Villa Carlotta on the west side of Lake Como near Menaggio. My wife and I went there about a year ago and while not spectacular, it was worthwhile. You can look at their website at www.villacarlotta.it

Hi Cathryn,

I just did a week at Lake Como and Lake Maggiore. I would recommend an overnight on Lake Como in the center lake area (Bellagio, Varenna, Mennagio). It was cold in mid October but May/June would be wonderful. Part of the charm would be sitting/strolling the promenades in the lake towns in the evening, eating a gelato or stopping for a wine or coffee in one of the cafes. A day trip would most likely limit this experience as you would have to comply with boat/train schedules.

I would recommend heading for Lake Como the day you arrive; taking the train to Varenna via Milano Centrale station. It's a relaxing trip. From Varenna you can take the ferry to whatever town you will stay in overnight (unless, of course, you stay in Varenna). Return to Milan late the next evening.

Bellagio was the largest town on the central lake - it had the most restaurants and shops although the promenade in Mennagio was larger. It's so easy to hop ferries to other towns and then take the next ferry back.

The TI in Bellagio (located at the ferry dock) was so very helpful with information on the area and boat schedules.

Second the Villa Carlotta suggestion. Flowers were at the end in mid October but I bet it will be beautiful in May/June. The Villa itself was very interesting to walk through.

In Bellagio you have Villa Serbioni for gardens which were closed when I was there due to a storm. They probably won't reopen until next spring.

In Bellagio I would highly recommend Bilacus Restaurant for dinner (I followed a recommendation on this board and was glad I did).

If you stay overnight you'll be glad you did.

According to the schedule on www.bahn.de, the trains from Varenna to Milano are hourly, with the last one at 2230, arriving in Milano at 2355. Therefore, you can have dinner by the lake and still get back to a hotel in Milano.

Cathryn, just fyi, you can bypass Milan altogether and go directly from Malpensa Airport to the City of Como by train every 30 minutes. See my particular posting: Malpensa to Lake Como by Train. Once in Como City, you can take one of the hourly buses up to Menaggio or to Bellagio. You can wait for the bus at the cafe next door to the bus station. The bus station is 20 yards from the terminus of the Como Nord Lago commuter station.

Thanks to everyone!

Can't make my final decision until I can nail down reservations.

www.varenna.net
we loved it!