We have about a week in northern Italy the June 29 - July 5. We will be coming from Paris and were interested in visitng Lake Como, but would also like to visit a few wineries. Any tips on the following:
1. Train or plane to Milan from Paris?
2. Shall we rent a car in Milan in order to drive to Como, I understand that we might have to leave it behind to get to Bellagio?
3. Are there vineyards worth visiting in the area.....or
4. Should we head down to Tuscany instead, and possibly forgo Como alogether? Can we do both and still enjoy a leisurly drive in the time we have?
5. We need to be back in Paris to catch a flight on July 6th, what's the best route back?

Thx

The only part of this question I can honestly answer is that you would not have to leave a car behind to reach Bellagio.

You can either drive there directly or take one of the car ferries over from either Menaggio or Varenna.

You can also take the train from Milan to Varenna, a trip which takes about 1.5 hours and then a ferry over to Bellagio which takes 10-15 minutes.

I think I'd fly Paris to Milan, the use the train to get to Lake Como, either via Varenna and a ferry or via the town of Como and a hydrofoil to Bellagio.

And I think you'd have time for both Lake Como and part of Tuscany. After 2 or 3 days in Bellagio, pick up a car for Tuscany -- maybe in Como. Winewise, southern Tuscany has Brunello di Montalcino and Montepulciano. That's probably your best wine in the best area bet. Another choice is Chianti. But there are vineyards and wineries all over.

You could fly back from Florence or Pisa.

Thanks for the feedback! How long will it take us to drive to the northern part of Tuscany from Como? Do you have any recommendations of where to stay - 3-5 star equivalent?? A favorite winery? Wine tour company?

Oops, I meant southern Tuscany....

Just another thought IliaDickey, you could enjoy Lake Como and then go to the Region of Piedmont instead of Tuscany.

Hi Ilia - For flights you might want to check out the budget airline Easyjet.

They fly Paris CDG-Milan Malpensa for under € 40 in late June.

They also currently have flights to Paris from Pisa or Rome (Ciampino) for under € 40 in early July.

www.easyjet.com

N.B. Those fares won't last long ...

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Exactly, LoveItaly. Why would you go to Tuscany and bypass the most famous wine region in Italy (Piedmont)? It makes no sense -- The scenery here is as beautiful (different), the towns less touristed, and the wine and food is known to be the best in the country.

And the region is 1.5 hours from Como!

Bellacqui....how could so many people have been so stupid all these years...absolutely amazing isn't it?

2. Shall we rent a car in Milan in order to drive to Como, I understand that we might have to leave it behind to get to Bellagio?

Depends how strong your stomach is for driving in heavy traffic on narrow, winding roads.

However, if you want to get to wineries anywhere in Italy, you will need a car.

3. Are there vineyards worth visiting in the area.....or

Yes. The vineyards in Valsassina are spectacularly perched on miles of ancient terraced hillsides, and produce excellent wine that is not widely known outside the area.

A report of our visit to the Nino Negri cellars is on http://www.beginningwithi.com/italy/travel/bormio3.html

The Sertolis Salis winery has recently opened parts of the family palazzo to visitors, in addition to the cantina. See http://www.sertolisalis.com/valtellina1_eng.html (don't laugh too hard at the translation - I have redone it for them, in exchange for wine!, but they haven't posted my version yet).

4. Should we head down to Tuscany instead, and possibly forgo Como alogether? Can we do both and still enjoy a leisurly drive in the time we have?

Personally, I find Tuscany overrated, overcrowded and way too touristy. It's pretty, but not nearly as spectacular as the fjord-like scenery around Lake Como. De gustibus... You could get down there in a day, but you might find there's plenty to do on Lake Como to keep you busy.

Best regards,
Deirdre' Straughan
http://www.beginningwithi.com/

Use a mapping site to time your drives. www.mappy.com and www.viamichelin.com are good.

I think you'd be better off without a car for Bellagio. The drive up the peninsula is supposed to be somewhat harrowing. And you can explore the mid-Lake Como area using the little ferryboats. Without a car, you take (1) a train to the town of Como and the hydrofoil to Bellagio or (2) take a train to Varenna and the ferry to Bellagio. There are some bus options also.

I'm not an expert on the Piedmont, but I love the scenery in Tuscany, especially middle to southern Tuscany. I like it better than Provence. In southern Tuscany, I like Pienza as a base for daytripping by car.

I don't know exactly what you mean by leisurely. (One person's leisurely is another's rushed.) But certainly one stop would be more leisurely than 2. You have 7 days -- unless the 29th and the 5th are travel days? So maybe the Piedmont would be good for you this trip. (It also depends on what kind of wine you like.) But I think with 7 days, 2 destinations are reasonable.

By not bypassing one beautiful region in search for another can enhance someone's holiday experience, if their interests are to do so.

Since the orginal poster will or can pass directly through Piedmont on with this itinerary and expresses an interest in wine, I felt it pertinent to mention not skipping the area.

Visiting Piedmont should certainly be higher than it is on many Italy visitors "must visit" list. Of course we are only a hiden gem as long as we do not become discovered! Maybe I should delete this post

Great wines are everywhere - you only have to drink them. Monferrato, Asti, Acqui and Alba are only a few hours from Como and scenery rivals tuscany.

Whatever you decide - have a great trip.