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Lugano vs Varenna

Posted by (Freedonia) on

I'm having a hard time making an itinerary decision so I will throw it out to the RS community.

I will be spending just over two weeks in Switzerland with the itinerary so far having me arriving in Tirano, Italy after the Bernina Express.

After that, my choices are to take the bus to Lugano for a couple of days and then the train/ferry--a long connection--to Varenna for a couple of days. Or go directly to Varenna for four days. There is a direct train from Tirano to Varenna that is just over an hour.

This will be after three weeks of traveling with another eight to go. I was going to use the time to do a little sightseeing but also a little R & R.

So, after all that, my question. Is there that much to see in Lugano or should I just head to Varenna and enjoy my time on Lake Como. I go to Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta afterwards. (With a stop in Milan to see the Last Supper. I was finally able to get tickets without going through a tour company.)

This would be the beginning of May.

Posted by
11553 posts

For RnR go to Lake Como, ride the ferries, relaxing and so beautiful. Lugano is a larger city, very nice but Lake Como is more of an RnR destination.
Enjoy Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Milan.
Personally, we didn’t care for Lake Orta., probably due to a poor hotel choice and air quality. .What time of the year is your trip? If it is hot and humid the smells from the paper mill on Lake Orta are quite unpleasant.
I have been to “The Last Supper” twice, an incredible experience! Enjoy your trip.

Posted by
16186 posts

I'm going in two months.

I was in Orta San Giulio last May and stayed at La Bussola. I had a lake front room with a great view and enjoyed it.

Posted by
3551 posts

Varenna cannot be beat. I have been to both.

Posted by
32345 posts

Frank II,

For four days, my choice would be Varenna. It's a great place for R&R and enjoying Il dolce far niente, and a great home base for touring other spots in the mid-lake area. I've been to both and Lugano has some sights too, but Varenna is a place I always look forward to returning to.

Posted by
1673 posts

Straight to Varenna, you can relax there and see some of the other viilages and gardens by boat. Lugano has a pleasant enough area around the water but would be second if I had to make a choice. Lake Orta is somewhat plain compared to the other two lakes but, for me, Orta San Giulio is the nicest and most romantic of all the villages in the lake district.

Frank, Stresa for Maggiore if I had to choose.

Posted by
16186 posts

Three nights in Varenna......two nights in Milan......four nights in Stresa and that includes a day trip back to Orta San Giulio. Then to Santa Margherita near Portofino for a couple of days before tackling the crowded subway train like town of Vernazza.

No cruise ships in port while I'm there so it shouldn't be too bad......who am I kidding. It's going to be packed.

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