We have about 10 days (after Venice and the Dolomites) to spend around northern Italy in first half of October. We hoped to use maybe 5 or 6 of those to see the Lakes and take the Bernina route by train across the Alps and back. We will have a car so are seeking advice on an itinerary that makes sense. We will depart for home from Milan so may do this part of our trip just before leaving the country.
Read in RS that the roads around Lake Como are congested. Figured we would spend a couple of nights in Varenna. What would be your recommendations about driving? Should we give up the car before getting to Varenna? is the idea of getting to Tirano and taking the train feasible? Stay over in St. Moritz or Chur? Should we consider driving over the Alps? Not sure what else to consider but any advice is welcome.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15165 posts
If you are in the Dolomites you could also consider a few days at Lake Garda. I recommend Malcesine as a base.
For lake Como, besides Varenna, where parking may be an issue, you could consider Menaggio, right across the lake from Varenna (just 5 min by ferry). Menaggio is a great base to drive to Lugano (Switzerland) along lake Lugano, just minutes away from Menaggio.
Another great drive is the Stelvio Pass, between Bolzano and Tirano. Assuming you all have the stomach for that drive. Google it and you’ll see the images of that road.
Posted by
Greater Pittsburgh
48 posts
The roads around Lake Como didn't seem congested to me, in early June. I drove from Milan to Lugano and then over the top of Lake Como around the lake to Varenna. After Varenna, we drove to Florence. Parking in Varenna is easy as there is a parking garage, but not cheap at 20 euros per day.
Your biggest problem may be in finding a place to stay in Varenna. The community books up completely several months in advance.
We loved Varenna and traveling around the lake on the ferries.
Posted by
11156 posts
Regarding St-Moritz. Stay in picturesque ,nearby Pontresina instead of St-Moritz.
Posted by
near San Francisco
4615 posts
I stayed in Varenna a few nights; took the train to Tirano where I spent a lovely few hours tramping around the ancient wall, gate and town; changed to the Bernina Express to travel to St Moritz, where we took a gondola up Piz Nair and hiked down. From St Moritz, we took the Palm Express bus back to Lugano; stayed a few days in a hotel with a balcony overlooking the lake, and hiked Mt San Salvatore; then took the train to Milan for our flight home.
The train journey to St Moritz and the bus ride back from there to Lugano were indescribably scenic! Although I have taken numerous road trips in Europe, I was very glad on that one to be able to sit back and enjoy the scenery.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, Wa, USA
24 posts
Thank you to all for the helpful info.
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2299 posts
hey hey mary jean
i'll add another option for a lake. like roberto says lake garda.
few years back we were staying in venice and rented a car and drove to bardolino on lake garda. a customer from the area told me about the annual wine festival (festa dell uva). reserved room at hotel nettuno right on the lake, checked in and off to the festival. this year's festival is oct 3-7 2019 that hopefully puts you near there. it's a gorgeous lake with small villages along the way you can stop for photo ops or have lunch. there is also the ferries that take you around the lake and drops you off at certain towns, look at a map. we drove a little north, wish to go further but time constraints and returning car back to venice.
tripsavvy.com/get to know lake garda. near malescine is monte baldo with a gondola/cable car, satuario madonna della corona, church built into the sheer hillside.
gardaitaly.com
my own opinion is it's not as congested as lake como where everyone wants to go. we saw less americans and more germans, british, austrians and sat a tables together with them having a great time. we stopped at peschiera del garda walked a bit in piazza, had lunch at a cafe, stopped at "boat harbor then back to venice.
it's hard to decide where to go, it's all so beautiful. you'll have a great and fun time. enjoy
aloha