Thank you TDudette. I just read your marvelous TR. Thanks very much for sharing. I agree fully that the wonders of Italy seem infinite. And you captured so much of that sense in your report.

I'm very sorry for your loss.

We visited Lake Como (based in Varenna) and Lake Maggiore (Stresa) last summer, perhaps those sections of my TR might be helpful
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...guria-1723101/

Thanks, ANUJ--what a great TR. You certainly covered a lot of ground. Might I ask where you stayed in Stressa? (Apologies if I missed it in your report). Helpful that you noted the bus service info Stressa-Orta in May. I did see your comments on your lodging in Varenna.

We had a lovely trip booked to Maggiore that we had to cancel due to Covid, and I've heard the same good things you have about it and Stressa, Borromeo, the gardens, and the like, so that is on our agenda for next trip in the north.

We do like Lake Garda and stayed in Garda town; I'd love to stay longer and go north, but as you say it takes you farther away from the Torino connections. But it does have Sirmione, Grotto of Cattulus, and other gorgeous spots and side trips to Verona and other towns are so doable. If memory serves we took a train to Peschiera del Garda and then a taxi to Garda.

In Bellagio, staying in an apartment at the uphill end of town where the grocery and butcher shops are, and more local folks, gave us a whole different impression of the town, but since you've been, I like your idea of moving on to one of the other lakes. We also found Lugano stunning, but less "italian" for obvious reasons.

Anyway, no bad choices here!

Thanks for your kind TR and DH words, studenttobe. It will be very interesting to read about your trip....20 years later!

Most welcome and will do (in re the TR), TDudette-thanks again

annw, Thanks very much for all that you shared-all of it is helpful, including your perspective on Bellagio. I hope you can get to Maggiore at some point. We all have that backlog of Covid cancelled trips and are trying to make up for lost time.

We have spent a lot of time in the Italian Lakes and loved them all with the exception of Lake Orta. We handled it by driving away from Lake Orta, down to Lake Maggiore every day.

HappyTrvlr, Thanks so much for what you've shared. Your perspective is really helpful.