I am planning a trip to Lake Como. We'll be there for two weeks. I'd like to stay in two or three towns on the lake. For those who have been there, what towns would you recommend to stay in? Any hotel suggestions? We'd love a view of the lake in each hotel we stay in. Also, we are not planning on renting a car so will we be able to take a boat from village to village? Thanks!!

Bellagio is the major tourist town on Lake Como; beautifully-sited, and most of the hotels have views of the lake. I stayed in the Hotel Du Lac and had a wonderful view. The rooms were comfortable (somewhat dated) and the price was moderate. Varenna is another pretty town, not quite as large as Bellagio, and it's on the train line. You will have no problems taking ferries from town to town. <BR> <BR>I wonder, though, do you really want to stay just on Lake Como for that entire time? I think it's very pretty, but not worth two weeks, unless you have something specific going on there. If you are interested in the lake region, you might visit one or two of the other lakes; or you might visit one or two of the towns in Italy. I'd say one week would be more than enough and then you can explore another part of the region in the other week. Just my 2cents worth.

Thanks for your input, Paul. I've been to Italy four times and have been to the other lakes, as well. I know it may sound boring but I really want to relax and vegetate on the lake for two weeks. Bellagio sounds really beautiful. Have you been to the town of Como? Thanks for your feedback!

Deena, <BR>Found a great website that should give you all the info you need. www.lakecomo.com. We found a place, haven't been there yet, at Lenno, it's across the ferry from Bellagio and sounds likes its out of the fray. <BR>Good Luck, <BR>Anne

Como's a lot bigger than Bellagio, so if staying in Belllagio take a selection of books, as there isn't too much in the way of diversions other than cafes/shops. In saying that, it's probably my favourite place in Southern Europe.

Thanks for the suggestions and web sites!

Hi, Deena, <BR>Okay, I understand your trip now! Lake Como is definitely a good place to vegetate-- it is beautiful and relaxing. <BR>I had mentioned the Hotel Du Lac in my earlier post; it's a decent, moderately-priced place. The place for splurge and elegance is the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni. I wasn't there, but I did hear that it's beautiful. Even if you don't stay there, I'm told it's a good place to go for an elegant meal experience. <BR> <BR>The other place people speak a lot about for an elegant experience is the Villa d'Este in the town of Cernobbio. I wasn't there either, but I think someone mentioned it recently. <BR> <BR>By the way, my name is Paule-- that's pronounced Paula, but spelled with an 'e'; it's a French name (I'm not French, though, so I don't pronounce it in a French way!).

Thank you for your feedback, Paule. I'm going to surf the web and check out your suggestions. I've heard about the Villa d'Este and will definately make a trip there. You know when you told me that I may want to visit some other areas...I think I just may. I'm starting to think I am planning too much time in such a small area.

Deena, <BR>We spent 3 days in Bellagio last June & it was wonderful. We stayed at the Hotel Belvedere with a smashing view of Lake Como.(www.belvederebellagio.com). I emailed reservations at: [email protected] <BR>The Villa Carlotta is the most famous of all Lake Como's villas and the highlight of a visit to the lake. We took the ferry there from Tremezzo. I enjoyed the book "Italian Lakes" which is a Passport Book, ISBN 0-8442-9972-3. It has beautiful illustrations, walking and driving tours, detailed maps, guide to where to stay, dining, nightlife etc. Hope this helps.

We were on Lake Como last October. I would ditto the suggestion of Bellagio being beautiful....we stayed at the Metropole Hotel, literally built out over the water, with balconies. It's a couple of doors down from the Du Lac, also nice. The Belvedere apparently has lovely view, but up a very steep hill and away from the main part of town. Verenna is a lovely , lovely, and really a quiet getaway village..10 min by boat from Bellagio. AGain lots of steep walking. THere is a hotel by the boat arrival called the Olivetto?...someone told us the food was wonderful....then we also saw a beautiful hotel up on a higher street.(forget the name....Flores????) <BR>We stayed at Mennagio the last night before taking the bus to Lugano, Switz. to pick up a car...lovely, but not as nice and relaxing as Bellagio or Verenna.' A boat pass is available and one can cris cross to the various towns as desired. The city of Como is really just a city....but nice. It is 45 min by hovercraft to Bellagio. <BR>

Deena, <BR>Yes, I agree with Mariana that the Hotel Belvedere is about a 10 minute walk which we enjoyed being away from all the hub. If you are elderly or have difficulty walking, you would be more confortable down by the water. We are in our late 50s and found the walk so enjoyable. A book I used frequently was Rick Steves on Italy. There is a section on getting around Lake Como.

Thanks everyone! Quite a few people have mentioned Hotel Belvedere. Sounds like a good place to check out.

Hi Deena, <BR>We stayed in Varenna at the end of March and thought it was great. Our hotel was the same place where Mariana said the food was good. Our room was great and had a view of the lake. Laura the owner is very helpful. Hope this helps.

Mariana, you mentioned that you went up to Lugano to rent a car. Any special reason? I hear you can avoid certain taxes by doing that. How did it work for you? Do you have to return the car in Lugano or can you return it in Italy?