Help - Milan or Varenna?

Posted by wendy.ebner on 01/18/24 06:56 PM

Hello we are coming to Italy March 1 - 11. The first half is Florence. On the 7th we will take a train from Florence to Varenna Lake como (thru Milan). Out hotel Hotel Olivedo which serves as nice base for 3-4 four nights as it’s right in front of ferry midlame. From here we will see some the villas and gardens and just walk around the different villages, midlake. We realize some of this is sleepy this time of year. That said we booked Bernina Express on our first full day in Varenna (March 8) as train to Tirano and then Saint Moritz and back can be done from Varenna. It’s a long day but from what I have heard worth it. Then, finally on our last day in Lake Como, which would be March 11 we have to get to the Milan airport early for a 10:15 am flight which really means three hours ahead of that. I don’t want to risk a train from Varrena to the airport and instead would do private transfer which is $290 one way for six people in our party. I’m starting to think that maybe I have this all wrong. Maybe the better idea is to stay in Milan for all four nights hence no need for transfer back to an airport as we will be close and can day trip or two into Lake Como area and as well to Saint Moritz on the Bernina express all while returning back to Milan as the base. So the question is this. We check into hotel in Varenna on the 7th which means 1/2 day to explore. We are leaving on the 8th to do the Bernina express train to st Moritz but retaining back to hotel in Varenna. So essentially our first full day to explore como is March 9 which is a Saturday. Our flight leaves Milan on the 11th at 10:15 AM to come back to the US. My preference would be to stay in Lake Como until the morning of our flight and get a private driver to take us out at 5 AM. Does anyone have any experience with Any reputable drivers in Verina who are known to be punctual. I already know the trains are not an option for us as they will not arrive to the airport early enough for the three hour window needed. The only other option is to leave the night before and stay at a hotel at the airport but as you can see from the itinerary it will cut into What might be a very needed full day to make our stay worth it I guess when I’m asking is, has anyone ever had success in getting a private transfer out of Varenna to airport for 10:15 flight? According to many websites, I have checked out it is about an hour and a half and I am going to book a two hour window to get us there and we will be three hours ahead. Does this make sense

Day trips from Milan to Lake Como? Have you looked at the train schedules? It's not easy and not reasonable for a day trip. Maybe you could stay in Milan and just do day trips to places other than Lake Como.

I was surprised by the above remark and now wonder if I have misunderstood something? From what I had seen in guidebooks, the trip from Milano Centrale to Varenna is direct and only an hour long with frequent train service. Is this not correct? We will be staying in Milan for 3 days but planned to use one of them as a day trip to Varenna. Not a good idea?

Edit: Sorry I have no idea why the part I quoted came out in giant blue letters.