Planning Trip to Italy Lake Area
Oct 30th, 2002, 12:23 PM
#1
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Planning Trip to Italy Lake Area
Spent some hours today researching Tauck, Maupintours, Abercrobmie & Kent tours in the Northern Italy Lakes area to see where they go, where they stay, what they see, etc. Can't afford those tours and think we might enjoy doing our own thing anyway. Anybody have any thoughts on hotels, restaurants, activities? Thanks for your help. Frommers likes Villa D'Este in Cernobbie, and who wouldn't, but is there something with the same view, clean, safe, romantic (my wife usually isn't when we travel, but I can always hope) that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
Oct 30th, 2002, 01:44 PM
#3
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We stayed in a corner room which had two small balconies overlooking the lake at the Albergo Olivedo in Varenna - fantastic! This place is half-board so we ate dinner there daily. (Good, simple food.)<BR>For activities, one day we wandered Bellagio and the grounds of the Villa Melzi (gorgeous), one day hiked up to the abandoned castle and through the old cemetery in Varenna, and one day roamed Menaggio. The towns of Lake Como are VERY easy to tour on your own. <BR>Btw, since you're on AOL - have you visited the Italy travel boards? Lots of good info there ...
Oct 30th, 2002, 09:03 PM
#5
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We stayed at the Belvedere in Bellagio in June 2002. We loved the place, and the staff was very friendly and helpful. The view of the lake from our terrace was magical and romantic. The prices are very reasonable. See the website at http://www.belvederebellagio.com/indexin.html By the way, the Villa D'Este is in a class by itself, and priced accordingly. I agree the area is very easy to see on your own. The boats that go from Bellagio to Varenna to Menaggio are convenient and easy. From Menaggio, you can take a scenic one-hour bus ride to Lugano. The one-hour train ride from Milan to Varenna is easy if you do not want to drive.
