sjd

My husband and I are planning a 16 night stay in Italy in October. Our first place will be Varenna. Will 3 nights be enough here (before traveling to Piedmont) or would you think 4 nights would be better? I have gone back and forth with this and can't seem to make a decision.

Thank you very much for any opinions.

bobthenavigator

Will you have a car?

Palenque

Lake Como - will you have 2 or 3 whole days - considering a day to get there from airport will consume first day.

Bellagio is small - a few hours there was more than enough for me - Como is a fascinating city but not many must sees - you can do a boat ride to Locarno, Switzerland and to other places around the lake. I think Lake Como is just the type of place to do some boat rides on - get off for lunch somewhere, etc.

Personally i'd say 3 nights for me would be fine.

What are your current penciled in must sees on the lake.

Boat day passes are a good deal if taking more than a few rides.

schnauzer

We were there for three nights but only two days and at the time I thought one more night would have been great. I agree with Palenque, how much actual time will you have there. Take this into account, three full days would be the ideal time IMO. Remember you may be jetlagged and the first day may be a right off anyway. You could happily fill the time if you do stay the four nights. It is a most amazing place, just sitting on the lakeside verandah gazing at the view is fabulous and relaxing.
Where are you staying? We stayed at the Hotel du Lac in Varenna, be careful there are many Hotel du Lacs around the lake. It was very good, I would recommend it, make sure you get a room facing the lake.
Schnauzer

sjd

Thank you everyone for your advice. Yes, we will have a car and will be staying at the Hotel du Lac. This accommodation (along with garage as an extra cost 15 euros per night)will be the most expensive of all we have planned and I just don't want to make (for us) a costly mistake. It is true, it will actually be only 2-1/2 days (counting a half day on departure). I know sometimes 3 nights is just right. We have stayed 4 nights at places and it was really too much. hadn/t.

Thank you again.

NYCFoodSnob

IMO, Lake Como is an outdoor experience. I come from a family of boaters but I never enjoyed being on the water when it was cold. The lake can get quite cold in October and most businesses are getting ready to pack up for winter. If you plan on driving a lot and exploring the area by car, I guess one can do this for as many days as one wishes. With a car, you can see a lot in three days around the lake. But, in October, there are plenty of other places in Italy I'd rather be.

JulieVikmanis

Another post on this forum has lots of information about what to do on Lake Como. Take a look and try to judge whether you'd be interested in doing many of the listed things or only a few. You would be able to see and explore the three or four towns (primarily Varenna, Bellagio and Menaggio) in the middle of the lake easily with 2 and 1/2 days but you could add in several other experiences and just as easily spend 3 and 1/2 days. If the weather is nice, just spending time on the terrace at the Hotel du Lac can occupy me for a few hours each day. The view is terrific.

Here's the thread to check out. http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...do-and-see.cfm