Hi, <BR> <BR>We will have two days (2 nights) before we take off from Milan. We are thinking to skip Milan and spend these two days in Lake Como area. <BR> <BR>Since we have such a short time, we can only selectivly enjoy the area. Any good suggestions as where to stay and which areas are nice to see? <BR> <BR>By the way, we will depart from Milan Internationa airport and the flight is around 11am. Is it enough time to drive in, drop the car and not miss the flight? <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Yu

The Lake Como area is about a 1 1/2 hour drive to Malapensa airport. Catching an 11:00 am flight should not be a problem. <BR> <BR>We were in the region last June and stayed in the upper part of the Lake which is much prettier than the lower lake area IMO. We stayed in Tremezzo. Across the lake is Bellagio which has several hotels. Bellagio is a beautiful town and some feel it to be the focal point of the Lake. <BR> <BR>This area is God's country. It is best seen from the lake. Just hop on a local ferry and enjoy the beautiful scenery. <BR>Ferries will get you around the lake. A car gives you a lot of flexibility. Just drive around to the various towns. The east side of the lake is more developed than the west. <BR> <BR>I would recommend seeing the many Villa's on the lake. Villa Carlotta (in Tremezzo) is a don't miss. Also visit Villa d'este near Chernobbia. The top hotel in the area. Enjoy.

Personally, I'm a Varenna fan. It is much smaller than Bellagio, and just a beautiful spot. The ferry is easily acessible and goes to Bellagio every half hour if you want more aciton. If you like a quieter more village-atmoshpere, Varenna can't be beat.

Never stayed in Varenna - - seemed rather sleepy to me, compared to the lively atmosphere of Bellagio - - but I suppose the same thing could be said of Menaggio - - which I found a very pleasant place to stay and use as a base to explore the entire western edge of the lake (and Bellagio/Varenna too). <BR> <BR>From the Grand Hotel Victoria in Menaggio, we were able to arrange a private boat outing on the lake for an afternoon -- which included rtansportation to Villa Balbianello (not accessible from land) - - highly, HIGHLY recommended - - a "Hearst Castle-like" treasure of the Lake Como area. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

We stayed in Bellagio, but I would think that you'd enjoy Varenna or Tremezzo or Menaggio just as much. You can't go wrong with any of them as base of operations.

Thanks for all the replies. Any good recommendations about hotels, B&B? <BR> <BR>It is better taking ferries to explore the area or driving around? How is the traffic in/out of Milan?

Hello Yu, Since you have to get to Malpensa that last day definately stay on the west shore of Como and get an early start. Forget Varenna--out of the question. I would prefer Tremezzo or Mennagio with your time constraints. <BR>Frankly, I would prefer to stay at Stresa on Maggiore to access the airport, but Como is lovely.

I searched in the web but didn't seem having much lucks to find a good site for accomodations in the Lake Como area. There are tons for Tuscany area and all major Italian cities, but few for Lake Como area. <BR> <BR>How did you find the accomodation for Lake Como area?

Try these ! <BR>www.venere.it <BR>www.itwg.com <BR>www.bellagiolakecomo.com <BR> <BR>Also look at www.stresa.net <BR> <BR>Good luck !

Try www.olivedo.it. We stayed at Hotel Olivedo in Varenna last year and it was an easy ride to the airport. It is right on the water and just a beautiful spot. Have a great trip!

Grand Hotel Victoria <BR>Lungolago G. Castelli, 7 <BR>I-22017 Menaggio (Co) Italy <BR>Tel: 011-39-0344-32003 <BR>Fax: 011-39-0344-32992 <BR>e-mail: [email protected] <BR>web: www.palacehotel.it/fghv.html <BR> <BR>

Thanks for all the info. <BR> <BR>I contacted a few hotels in Lake Como (mostly near Bellagio), but so far all the them replied that they will be closed on the dates I request. It seems that they open only till the end of Oct. I am looking for Nov. 1st, and 2nd. <BR> <BR>Now I wonder about the ferries. And does this also mean that it is not a good time to visit the place. <BR> <BR>I will continue my search for the hotels and try different areas. <BR> <BR>How long will it take to drive from Stresa to Malpensa airport? What about Tremezzo or Menaggio? <BR> <BR>I don't have a detailed route map for the lake yet. From the region map, I thought east side of the lake is more convenient to access the airport. I guess I was wrong? <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Yu, Malpensa is about 30 miles NW of Milan and only about :45 from Stresa. <BR>It is all autostrada from Stresa. From Mennagio or Tremezzo it is about an hour if the traffic is not heavy on the small road on the west shore of Como. <BR>Hence, my original suggestion. Go to www.stresa.net and look at Hotel Villa Aminta**** or Lido Perla*** or any of several others.

Thanks Bob. The web sites you gave are very helpful!

Try the Hotel Belvedere in Bellagio. Highly recommended, with magnificent view of the lake from your room and a wonderful staff to attend to you. <BR>Website: www.belverderebellagio.com <BR>email: [email protected]

Thanks for all. Very appreciate all the information. <BR> <BR>I sent out more than 10 hotel requests to both Lake Como areas and Stresa. But so far all seem to be closed on Nov. 1st. Apparently the season is to the end of Oct. <BR> <BR>Has anybody been there in Nov.? Since most of hotels will be closed, will the ferry still be operated as usual? And what about other things, such as restaurants? <BR> <BR>Anybody know good hotels which are still open for early Nov? <BR> <BR>Many Thanks!