Just in the very first stages of planning a fall trip to Italy. We'd like to fly into Milan , spend a 4-5 days at one of the Italian lakes before heasding for Bologna and then flying out of Rome.

This trip we plan on doing everything by train or bus so would like to be on one of the lakes that would provide access to several places.

Any hints or suggestions.

I know Garda and Como, and I think Como is a better fit for the criteria you mention. Others know Maggiore well enough to say how it compares. But Como is so special that I am sure you will not go wrong staying there, even if Maggiore is an equally good fit.

Best wishes,

Rex

Actually for ease of getting to by train and then getting to other places, it's kind of hard to beat Stresa on Maggiore. Lake Como is a little more work to get to, but once there you can travel all over the lake by boats, or to Lugano easily by bus.
In my opinion, Lake Como would win easily, though!

I've been to all three lakes and took boats around them and can say that all three, Garda, Maggiore and Como were great - could not recommend one over the other. All can easily be reached by rail, then boat around the lake - buy boat passes for unlimited boat - note that boats run largely seasonal services with skeleton service in off season so depends on when going as to how easily can get around.

Patrick is right. Stresa would be a good choice, but Varenna on Como is a very good option by train Both are better than Garda.

Thanks, friends.

I'll concentrate on Como and Maggiore for starters!

Quick dissenting view: I didn't like Stresa at all. Some of the people in the tourist industry (e.g., tourist info office, ticket sales office for boat) were the rudest I've ever encountered anywhere in any country--so incredibly rude that I felt like I was a player in some very exaggerated comedy. Unlike in Varenna or some of the other towns along Lake Como, where much of the shoreline had an almost mystical beauty, unspoiled by parking lots and concrete, in Stresa, for several blocks in either direction of the central area near where you'd board the boats, the shoreline, as the view as well, is marred by the sight of the parking lot extending all along the shoreline, which is just very straight. When I was there in October 2003, the streets of Stresa and the boats and the the Borromean islands were crowded with German tourists and I heard a lot more German spoken than Italian.

Very odd...I thought I posted something right after this. I don't remember what it was, but I'm almost positive I posted a very minor clarification, or maybe I corrected my spelling of something. I thought the post went through, and now I don't see it. Last ost shows at 7 a.m., but on the left time of last post is listed as 7:01. Very strange.

Hi Jody,

I had the same impression as Carol about Stresa - I found it a big let-down. Not sure why it gets so much hype ...

I should add that I saw it in low season (February) - so maybe I would have got a better impression in summer. But I prefer to visit places when locals outnumber tourists ...

And although I only saw a small part of Maggiore (Arona / Stresa/ Baveno) that area didn't compare well scenically with Lake Como IMO.

Steve

I love all the Italian lakes and find them quite different in character. Personally, I thought Garda was a lot more touristy than Maggiore, and while I liked Stressa a lot, I would stay further north, on the Swiss end of the lake. It's still very Italian (since it's in the Italian region of Switzerland). I've only used public transportation in Italy and have found all of the easily reached and navigated by train, bus, boat or taxi.

Nobody mentioned Orta. It's pretty charming too.

We were on a bicycle tour that stopped for lunch on the west side of the small Lake Mergozza, which is just west of Lake Maggiore. It is such a quiet area, very beautiful, but not the tourist attraction of Maggiore and Como, We ended our tour on Maggiore in Verbania, and we toured the islands of Mergozza, and I still think the quiet west side of little Lake Mergozza was my favorite spot.

For your itinerary, I suggest Lake Como and staying at Varenna. I hope it is before mid-Oct.

If you choose Como, you can't go wrong with Menaggio or Varenna IMO.

Steve

Steve..I knew you'd come thru! Tried to send you a Chrismas greetig but mine as well as some other friend's came back!BC is off to Baveno and needs some help...and D and I are debating Italy over France over my dearest place , Dorset, then Scotland to visit S and K! Hope we can solve the dilemma before the fares go up or our FF miles are useless!

If you like email me at [email protected]...I'd love to keep in touch with you!@

Steve, my Christmas e-mail to you bounced back as well.

topping for someone (forgot name) making plans for a trip to the lakes

Galvin! Mergozza! Yes, I see it on my map! Where's my must-go list! Got to add it. What is the shoreline like? What about the little town? Details? You've made my day! J.

Bob the Navigator - why avoid in Mid-October? Too crowded, too cold?
We are doing roughly the same as you, Jody, when are you planning to go? Our trip is in October.

Carol

Brahmama, most people deter visits to the lakes after mid-October because weather can be a bit iffy and hotels in the tourist areas begin closing at the end of the 3rd weekend. Having said that, we've had both great weather and rainy weather (but not cold) over several trips in the last two weeks of October. The more difficult aspect is finding open hotels in the smaller towns.

Just got back this week from Italy and France and when people ask about my favorite part of the trip, I quickly say Lake Como. I have been to many lakes in the US, New Zealand and England, and nothing compares to Como for majesty and romaticism. It is not touristy (at least the Bellagio, Varenna area) and after fretting beforehand about which lake, I am so glad I chose Como. We stayed in Varenna and loved the Villa Cipressi- the gardens the staff, the views, perfect! Bellagio would be nice too, I'm sure. We loved going there to explore the villas and shop. It's so easy to get around with the ferry system. I hope you get to go!!