Plan to visit all three, but curious to know which would be a better place to stay (2 nights, maybe 3)? Are all three similar? Any hotel recommendations?

Hello,

Varenna is very charming and very beautiful and there is a lot to do (Villa Monastero, Castello Vezio, just plain walking around is nice too). Bellagio is very beautiful but expensive and, in my opinion, less interesting/charming than Varenna. Como, on the other hand, is basically a city. I liked it, but it definitely doesn't have the same "picturesque town" feel of either of the other two. Nevertheless, if you want a place where there is more shopping, restaurants, and people then Como would be the place. It is very pretty as well. Hope that helps you with your decision. It really depends what you are looking for. Regardless of which one you stay at, be sure to visit the other two if you have the time - Varenna and Bellagio are a 5 min. ferry apart. They are all worth seeing, in my opinion. Hope that helps.

Thanks Amanda! I think I'll look into Varenna since I'll be spending a few days in Milan prior to Lake Como.

Good hotels in Varenna:

Hotel Royal Victoria (largest in town - 43 rooms)
Hotel du Lac - has a/c
Hotel Milano
Hotel Villa Cipressi (next to Villa Monastero)
Hotel Olivedo (across from the ferry dock)

Menaggio belongs in third place (if not first or second) on this list of choices.

Best wishes,

Rex

I am thinking about going to eitherComo or Bellagio in late November (11/24-11/26), does anyone know if things will be open or is it too late in the season. Also, any recomendations on hotels in both places would be great.

Brandon - I think Como might be a better bet than Bellagio in late November.

I suspect many places in Bellagio will be closing down by then.

Steve