The Lakes - where to stay?
 

We'll be in Northern Italy in late May and would like to spend 3 days at one of the Lakes. We'll have a car and can day trip. Lake Como? Lake Garda? I'd love some recommendations on where to base ourselves.

We'll be coming from Venice, and going on to Switzerland from there (and I'm still working on that part of the itinerary).

Thanks so much for your help.
Alice

Well, what do you want to do? You could have three great days at any of the lakes.

I'm not sure what you mean by your comment that you can day trip. Once you've arrived at a lake, I would think the point is to explore that lake and not day trip to some other place.

I like both lakes but since you are going to Switzerland after lakes I would say Lake Como. Menaggio is only about 8 km from swiss border. I would stay in Menaggio or Varenna with car. You could stay in Bellagio but parking is very limited.

I should have given more information - We'll want to enjoy the scenery, walk, explore... we're not big shoppers. By day trip, I meant that with a car we could easily go short distances to close by places.

Such prompt responses! I'm always so impressed by this board.

Alice

I wish when people ask about the Lakes region , they would specify the Italian lakes or the English lakes!

Como is more built up, so although there is gorgeous natural scenery, it includes many homes, villages, towns along the shore. All that development makes for more ferry stops, so it is very easy to explore Como by ferry and foot, especially if you stay in the mid-lake area. Several large villas built and/or once occupied by nobility are open for tours of house or garden. You could park your car for three days.

Garda has gorgeous scenery as well, but because there is less development the ferry service is reduced. You would probably see more by driving your car. The northern end of the lake (Trentino area) is especially beautiful.

It's up to you. Stay put or drive around.

Alice: When visiting the Italian lakes, don't overlook the quaint town of Orta San Giulio on small, lovely Lake Orta...the westernmost of the lakes. We based ourselves there a few years ago, and it was a pleasure, without the hordes of people around Como, Lugano and Maggiore...but we visited the other lakes on daytrips. We stayed at the venerable Hotel Orta on the lake front...nothing fancy, but comfortable and well located...took a boat ride to each of isalnds in Lake Maggiore, took the ferry across to Bellagio, visited Lugarno, all on two day trips...Lake Orta has a serenity and charm that appealed to us...it might do the same for you.
Stu T.

i had heard there are black flies on lake orta in early July. is this true?

Alison...I dunno...I never travel in summer

If you base yourselves in Varenna, you can take a ferry (with or without car) across to Bellagio and Menaggio. You can also stay on the eastern shore and drive up into the mountains, have a meal at our favorite restaurant Lanterna Verde, and explore Chiavenna. Also stop in Morbegno at Ciapponi and learn how they make the wonderful bitto cheese (and buy that, along with a zillion other wonderful things).

There's lots of hiking within easy reach of the lake, from easy short walks to full-scale technical climbing.

best regards,
Deirdré Straughan

beginningwithi.com (personal)
www.tvblob.com (work)

Hi

We are heading for Lake Ghirla (v. small lake between Lakes Maggiore & Como)in August. Can anyone suggest any web sites for this region which include general touring info plus walks which would be suitable for families - say 4 - 6 miles not too mountainous.

http://www.epinions.com/content_107488644740

http://www.lugano-tourism.ch/framewo...x?menu_id=1479

Tower, did you have a car from Lake Orta? you made a day trip each to como and maggiore? please clarify and expand about how you did this. that may be our answer. thanks.

Alice---we spent 3 days in the town of Malcescine on Lago di Garda and loved it there. The town has a car-free area with cobblestoned walkways, and a small castle. There are a number of lakefront hotels, and a terrific view across the lake (west) to cliffs and the small town of Limone sui Garda. Behind Malcescine is huge Monte Baldo, with a botanical preserve and paths all over. You can ride a gondola to the top and see the Dolomites from there, and then walk down (it's a long walk, with almost 5,000 feet of descent). You can visit other parts of the lake by ferry, including Riva, at the northern end, and a very famous walled town at the south end, Sirmione. now).

One downside to Garda is the huge amusement park (I think it's called Gardaland) that is a ways down the lake---traffic in that area can be bad. But onece you're past that it's a lovely drive.

My wife and I are planning a trip to Northern Italy and will be spending a bit of time in Venice. We are planning to go to from there to Cernobbio in the Lakes area and I am torn whether to rent a car or take the train. I thought the drive would be nice and having a car in Como would be a plus, but I am not so sure now. Any help would be great.
Thanks, Doug