Hi. I am planning a 13 night trip back to Europe next September. The first five nights will be in Chamonix, France; the last four nights in Rome. Trying to decide whether to spend the middle four nights in Lake Como (Bellagio or Varenna) or the Cinque Terre. Don’t really want to split the time between the two; too much packing and unpacking. Your thoughts appreciated.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12255 posts
Have been to both and see no 'wrong' choice.
Lake Como does not have the problem with cruise ship hoards descending upon it like CT does.
Posted by
Phoenix, AZ
333 posts
We stayed in Bellagio last year, and really enjoyed the views, unique town and quiet beauty of the lakes. Although 4 nights seems a little long for that area. We spent 2, but 3 would have also been nice.
I can't speak for the Cinque Terre. Why are you staying so long in Chamonix? it seems like a long time for that area. 4 nights in Rome will be perfect.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, United States
907 posts
Four nights in any of those towns seems long. You could add a third, say Genoa on your way to Cinque Terre.
Posted by
5562 posts
I find the CT unpleasantly crowded, but there are numerous day trips one can do in the surrounding area. I don't think I have ever regretted staying four days anywhere. It's just a matter of if you are craving lake or sea!
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Thanks everyone for your input. I think I’m leaning towards Lake Como. Any advice on getting public transportation to Varenna from Chamonix?
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12255 posts
This will start you with the basic choices
Posted by
Treasure Island, Florida, USA
267 posts
My husband and I spent four nights in Varenna in September, and three nights in Vernazza, CT, Sept two years ago. We loved both. We rented a boat in both places and putt-putted around on the water. Vernazza was swimmable, and we were prepared for the crowds (that's why we rented our own boat, only 95 euros for the day), doing morning activities, taking our siesta and basking on our balcony in the afternoons, and venturing out at 3 - 4. Caught an opera concert at a church in town one evening. Actually Varenna was so crowded (last week in Sept) that when walking the lover's walk it was stop and go several times. Beautiful there too, but the weather was iffier (warm and sunny one day, cold and foggy and 20 degrees F colder the next).
My vote goes to CT for sheer beauty, warmer waters (if you care about that), more to see without a car, seafood vs lake trout.
We rented a great air bnb in Vernazza, note that it actually overlooks their second beach - fun people watching:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/13104761