We have a family vacation planned for June, 2009. Our plans keep changing... but right now we are planning to leave Venice for 2 nights in Lake Como before flying home from Milan. Is it possible to drive from Venice (the parking garage) to Bellagio? For some reason, I think that it is difficult to drive to Bellagio... perhaps we should get rid of the car and take a train or public transport?

We are a group of 6 traveling with a large van. We like the flexibility of driving and not having to rely on trains... but don't want to be ridiculous if the drive is horrible! Thank you.

Use http://maps.google.com/ or www.viamichelin.com for your driving plans - input the starting and arriving location, address by address even, and you get detailed itineraries and maps etc.

Trains don't go to Bellagio, trains go to Varenna and to Como then you take a bus. Info at
http://www.bellagiolakecomo.com/inglese/italiano.html - click on How To Reach Bellagio.

The trains go from Venice to Varenna with a change in Milan. In Varenna you then take a short walk (5-7 minutes) down the hill to the ferry dock for the boat to Bellagio, about a 10 minute ferry ride.

If driving, the road up the eastern shore of the lake is very narrow and winding. I've done it in a car and would not want to do that drive in a large van. If you do drive I suggest taking the western shore route (much easier driving) and putting the van on the car ferry from one of the towns, such as Mennagio, to cross to Bellagio.

My preference would be the train but logistically the van may be the better option for 6 people. You also need to think about getting to the airport in Milan with 6 people and luggage. You may need the van for that.

Hi PSGMARTINO; This is doable with the van. The roads are narrow the last part of the drive, but as long as it's in the 'daylight', you can do it. Tough driving at night. It's probably a four plus hour drive and 'perhaps' the last half hour on narrow roads. Others could tell you the exact time on narrow roads. ENJOY Iris P.S. Do you have your hotel? We stayed in adjoining rooms, leading to a large deck, overlooking the lake at the Hotel Florence. www.hotelflorencebellagio.it

Thanks for the suggestions... The train through Varenna doesn't sound bad, since I wanted to visit Varenna - but driving is so convenient, too - And thank you for the hotel suggestion Iris.. I'll look into it - We haven't booked yet.

Are you set on staying in Bellagio? We found it very easy to drive to Menaggio (free parking at our hotel) and to drive from Menaggio to Malpensa. The ferries to Bellagio run very often, so you can hop across and visit when you like. There is SO MUCH else to see in that area--we spent half a day in Bellagio which included lunch, and were ready to move on..

The drive from Menaggio to Malpensa is very easy,by the way--we had no trouble making a mid-day flight.

Thanks Eksrunchy - I was wondering about Mennagio - the ferry to Bellagio takes how long? Can you have dinner in Bellagio and get a ferry back to Mennagio at night?

Eks - I think I read in another post that you stayed at the GH Victoria in Mennagio - do you have a website address? I can't locate their own site - only booking agents.. Thanks.

Also look at GH Menaggio---nice place and right at the ferry dock.

Hotel website; be aware that they may offer price concessions if you write to them directly.



http://www.centrohotelslakecomo.com/.../homepage.html


The trouble with the ferry timetable is that it only lists the current hours, in winter; let me see if I can find the schedule from my trip and get back to you. The ferry ride takes only about 20 minutes or so,as I remember.

Since you will have a car, I think you will find better dining options on the west (Menaggio) shore of the lake than in the town of Bellagio. I was very glad that we chose Menaggio as our base. Be aware though, that dining options in the town of Menaggio itself are not great-- you will have to drive to reach the most appealing places.

Click on #3 to see the spring timetables from 2008; you can go to Bellagio from Menaggio or, with a car you can drive a couple of minutes south (very easy drive) to Cadennabia and take the ferry from there, giving you more options.


http://my-lake-como-holiday.com/54/spring-2008/

Hi PSGMARTIN; All these towns on Lake Como are wonderfull. You have received good information. We stayed in Bellagio for three days with plenty to do. We were not ready to move. You can find excellent restaurants in all the towns of Lake Como. We did ferries to Villa Carlotta, built in 1690, with a wonderfull, huge Italian garden. Menaggio was another easy ferry ride. In Bellagio, you will find Villa Melzi with a lovely Japanese garden. I think that whatever you decide, you will enjoy. Our ride to Milan airport was interesting, as we passed hundreds of 'bike riders on the road. Fortunately they were not going our way. View this web site for many additional web site with good information. http://www.bellagiolakecomo.com/ingl...ggiungerci.php ENJOY Iris