I'm beginning to plan a trip that will include probably 4-5 days in the lake country (Late June/early July). I haven't been able to get a sense from looking at posts what the difference is among the major lakes. What we like: magnificent views, good walking, fantastic food, a little shopping, upscale accomodations, not being overrun with tourists. Pls help - I've relied on great advice from the forum in the past.

Well, I've only been to Como and Maggiore, but I liked Como much better than Maggiore. Bellagio and Varenna and the nearby villas are spectacular.

We've only been to Lake Como but I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to tell you to choose it. We stayed in Varenna and absolutely loved it. We were blessed with perfect weather and our room overlooked the lake so we felt like we were in heaven. The browsing in Bellagio, lovely villas (especially Balbianello)to wander about, great restaurants, etc. etc.

DC - Like Tuscan I much prefer Lake Como to Maggiore.

The only other area to compare scenically IMO is the north end of Lake Garda.

Steve

I would vote for lake orta. very quaint and you can take day trips over to maggiore .

I don't know Como, but I liked Maggiore a lot better than Garda, though who's complaining?

I also agree that Orta was wonderful...had a kind of undiscovered feeling to it that the others didn't.

Forgot I've been to Garda. Oh, blush. I didn't make it more than halfway up the lake, and it was very pretty, but not as pretty as halfway up Como. I have heard about the loveliness of the northern reaches of Garda.

going to como/bellagio in May.....Any great restaurant suggestions? thanks. marilee

Marilee...

As you come into the town of Como, there is a restaurant, approaching the town on the left side of the road, that is fabulous. I read about it a couple of years ago, here, I believe. Do a search here for Bellagio restaurants or dining. I wish wish wish I could remember the name of the place.

We had to walk there, and not wanting to walk on the dark road, we cut through yards and fields and houses and a cemetary. It was an adventure, but there are better ways, I think, to get there. This place was so delicious... anyone?

Like Weasel and St. Cirq, I strongly favor Orta...charming, quiter, a few fine restaurants in town...small and handy! From there you can actually visit all the major lakes in the district on day trips.
Stu T.

Thanks for all your responses. I'm having a hard time making a decision because it is partly dependent on the type of hotel accomodations we can get. It is critical for me to have a room with a balcony overlooking the lake with a fabulous view and I am willing to pay for really great accomodations, but not at Villa d"este level. Reviews I have read of places in Varenna or elsewhere on Como, for example, seems like they may be too noisy (right next to the ferry or a bar), or way past their prime and rundown, or terrible mgt or not quite upscale enough. Any recommendations?

Tuscan...thanks...will look for the restaurant. D/C......Haven't stayed in Bellagio (will in April) but the hotel metropole bellagio has great views. Has new rooms and old rooms. i did request a new room...check out the website.....Good luck....it looks so beautiful, don't see how any accomodations could be bad.

Finding a place that is wonderful but not also overrun with tourists in the summer is difficult. But take a look at Malcesine, Lago di Garda (north end). Find some photos on the web and see if you like what you see. We certainly did. A number of (affordable) hotels there have balconies over the lake. The town itself has a car-free zone with winding cobblestone alleys, and a castle. For walking, there is Monte Baldo, behind the town, with enough trails to keep even the most serious walker busy. Take the gondola to the top for views of the Dolomites, and walk down. . . all 5000 feet.

You need a car to get there.

If you get to Orta look for the restaurant Elena. It was incredible. Very reasonably priced, many would consider it cheap, and the food was to die for. In fact my husband {a food and wine snob} insisted we went back the next night. We stayed in the hotel elena it was clean and in a good location but no air conditioning which was O.K. in oct but I wouldn't want to be there in the summer. Also to note in Orta you have to park about 1/2 a km out of town up the hill. Luggage with wheels is great but the wheels take a beating on the cobblestones.

If you're looking for a nice hotel on the lake, my wife and I stayed at the Hotel Suisse au Lac on the Plaza Cavour directly across from Lake Como. We had a 2nd floor room with a verandah overlooking the Lake and absolutely loved it. Outstanding restaurant and staff.

In Varenna, the Hotel du Lac does have lakeview rooms. I'm waiting for them to resume business for the season and get back to me on my request for one of them in September. A friend of mine stayed there a year ago and found the rooms fine.

The Grand Hotel Menaggio has lake view rooms with balconies and is acceptably furnished. Though it's near the ferry stop, it isn't noisy. We've stayed there 3 or 4 times. Nice place.

On Lake Orta, we've stayed at the San Rocco. Wonderful views, nice balconies, top rate accommodations at non-Villa d'Este prices.