Buon giorno! Our family of 5 (grandmother, teen, 'tween and parents - - ages ranging from 11 to 75) would like to spend 2 nights in the lakes area of no. Italy this July. I've shifted my attention from Lakes Como & Maggiore to Lago di Garda. This will be our 1st stop in Italy and so, like all travelers, want a memorable first impression. We will have a car. Which lake & town would you recommend and is there any lodging you would suggest? Grazie

If "champagne tastes" are more important to you, then Lake Como - - if beer budget, then Garda. Basing this on my own travels to both; I have never been to Maggiore.

The good news is that all three will surely make a stunning addition to any trip to Italy.

The three most cited destinations for accommodations on Como are all good: Bellagio itself, Menaggio or Varenna. On Garda, you have quite a few fairly different choices - - each fairly different in character: Sirmione, Garda itself, Malcesine and Riva at the northern tip of the lake all have things to like about them.

Not sure there are any bad choices to be made.

Best wishes,

Rex

Greetings Sunsnow

Just back as of yesterday from Italy...absolutely wonderful. Be prepared for a very hot visit...bring mosquito repellant. The Lakes are wonderful... we stayed at Grand Hotel Tremezzo (in Tremezzo) - It is somewhat expensive but the service and food were fantastic...be sure to get a room in the middle of the hotel. Corner rooms with many windows have a hard time cooling down. Rates include a big breakfast. Bellagio is just across the Lake - Hotel Florence looked lovely. Be sure to inquire about renting a boat - the kids will love it. Gelato is a must!

Enjoy!!

Travelhappy

In a word, Lake Como and environs: stunning (and very laid-back/relaxing)

The north end of Lake Garda is not only beautiful, but also cooler than the south end. On a big budget you can find a place in Riva del Garda. On a more conservative budget, try the little village of Torbole, just about 3 miles east of Riva and in a spectacular location on the lake also. I like the Hotel Miorelli in Torbole, which is modern with very nice rooms, and is probably half the price of the upscale Riva hotels. It is about the equivalent of a city block's distance from the lake. I know they have e-mail and a website, but don't have it handy. You can undoubtedly find it with your browser. Good luck.

Dear sunsnow,

We spent a week split between lago maggiore and lago di como. Both are gorgeous. Ferries go everywhere. You can buy inexpensive daypasses, At Maggiore we stayed in Baveno one town north of Stresa(very touristy) on both ferry and rail system. We stayed at Hotel Rigoli (* about 100 euro per night double w/ balcony overlooking lake) very good restaurant in hotel. You can take the ferry all the way to Locarno in Switzerland and then come back on a bbeautiful train trip through the mountains. Enjoy.
AndrewDavid

Sunsnow, You are so great to make it a whole-family trip! What memories your youngsters will have! Please come back to us with a trip report. I have only stayed on Maggiore, so cannot contribute much, except to wish cooler weather for you and yours. Oh, and I can recommend that you indulge in as many 'starters' (is that primo?) as you can -- like bresaola w/tomatoes, green onions, parm., and olive oil, or veal w/tuna sauce, or baked avocado, or rigatoni with gorgonzola.

My stay in June of last year was very warm, and this year appears to be the same.

Might I ask Wayne to elaborate on Torbole and Andrew to do the same re Baveno? Both sound like great little places to stretch a budget and savor magnificent scenery, yes?

Buon viaggio, J.