Itinerary Feedback: Bologna, Milan, Lake Como

I’m not fond enough of either Bologna or Milan to spend more than a day in each, however if you have seen everything else in Italy and would like to explore the region of Emilia Romagna, then Bologna is the perfect base.
I would probably have 3 nights on lake Como however because 2 nights gives you only one full day.
Unless you have a reason to go to Milan (in which case one or two nights would be enough for my taste) you could even explore the possibility of flying directly to or from Bologna (or both).
From Sea-Tac you can fly non stop to the following European destinations:
London Heathrow (British)
Paris CDG (Air France or Delta codeshare)
Amsterdam (KLM or Delta codeshare)
Frankfurt (Lufthansa)
All of the above also fly to Bologna (BLQ) from those hubs, therefore you could get to/from Bologna with just one layover.
AirLingus also flies from SEA to Dublin and from Dublin to Bologna (seasonally), so in August that could work too.
Since you plan on lake Como (north of Milan) and Bologna I would consider a multicity flight with arrival at Milan Malpensa (MXP) or Milan Linate (LIN) and return from Bologna (BLQ) Via the above gateways.
Check Kayak.com or similar search engine. Use the multicity function:
Going from SEATTLE to MILAN
Returning from BOLOGNA to SEATTLE.

Hi Roberto da Firenze,

Thanks for the advice. I have been lucky to see a lot of Italy and Bologna seemed like a good home base for multiple day trips, and I'm feeling like a foodie- focus on this trip, with some cooking classes involved as well and the Emilia-Romagna region seemed like a perfect destination. I appreciate the info on flights - I'm trying to find the best way to get in and out purely on Chase Sapphire points, so that may dictate if I get in via Milan and train to Bologna.

I will extend my Lake Como visit to 3 nights - thanks for that advice. I am thinking of staying in Varenna based on some threads I've been reading. Have you been - any suggestions?

I am not feeling like devoting a ton of time to Milan - mainly using it as an in and our point and spending a night and full day there post Lake Como, maybe see the last supper and fly out early after a second night there.

Thanks for the reply!

We’ve stayed in Bologna for a length of time and enjoy it very much. Easy to make day trips to Modena, Reggio Emilia, Parma, Ferrara and Ravenna. Great food. You may want to check out my Bologna Birthday Trip Trio Report. It mentions so restaurants and places we like. Also recommended the NY Times 36 hours in Bologna article and video. We stayed in an Airbnb close to Piazza Maggiore which was wonderful. You might also like to contact Sandy from Wisconsin. She visited the Bologna and Lake Como areas last summer and loved both areas.

Becky thank you very much! Do you have a link to that trip report and a link to Sandy's account? I would love to read your report - what a fun birthday trip!

Hi. I still need to figure out how to do links. But if you just put Bologna Birthday Trip Report in the search bar it comes right up. As far as Sandy goes, she’s only communicated with me by private message, but I can send her a message to see if she can reach out to you.

Becky - I found it, thanks again!

I have been to lake Como a few times over my lifetime and I’ve been to Varenna, but not overnight. I’ve stayed overnight only in Bellagio and Menaggio on the midlake area (and also other locations not in the midlake, like Lecco).
The midlake area is probably the best part and Varenna, on the eastern shore, is the easiest to reach because it’s along the train line, however Bellagio and Menaggio are only 8 minutes from Varenna via ferry therefore any of the 3 towns are great choices. Just stay in the one where you find the best accommodations for your budget.
My last stay was in Menaggio a couple summers ago. It was my first time in Menaggio and I enjoyed that stay very much because they have classical concert on the main Piazza (Piazza Garibaldi) every night in summer. Menaggio is also convenient for visiting Lugano in Switzerland (45 min) so it worked perfectly for me because my wife loves Lugano, but I don’t love the Swiss exorbitant prices.
All 3 towns are super quaint, so you will love whichever you choose.

i appreciate this thread because I'm also looking for flights to Milan from the Pacific Northwest. I'm wondering if you could fly Seattle to LA and then directly to Milan or Bologna? Those layovers are grilling!

I'm also going to be spending time in Lake Como area so appreciated that advice as well. Sorry to impose on your thread!

Thank you!

Thanks Roberto. I am thinking I want to be on the ferry triangle you mentioned.

I am looking to decide between two hotels. Wondering if anyone on this thread has stayed at either?

Lake Como - Hotel Du Lac (Bellagio) or Grand Hotel Britannia Excelsior (Cadenabbia)

Has anyone stayed at either? Pros? Cons? They both are walkable to Ferry so would love thoughts on cleanliness, amenities, how walkable they are to other hotels, restaurants, nightlife.

Hello @Lori - I have decided to fly in via Amsterdam, then on to Bologna with a 2 hour layover (Delta). You can also fly to LA and then to Milan I believe. Either way there is a layover, and I prefer to have it in Europe after the long flight! Happy to have you join the thread. Hoping to hear what you find about Como in your research as well!

Lori,
The only non stop flights to Milan from the west coast are from San Francisco, starting this April 19, with Air Italy. Air Italy is the former Italian airliner Meridiana, now 49% owned by Qatar Airways and renamed Air Italy.
Personally I also prefer having my layover in Europe rather than the US, for a variety of reasons, principally because it cuts the journey by several hours. If you fly out of SEA I gave above several options for direct flights to European gateways. All of them have connections to Milan.

I have passed in front of the Excelsior of Cadenabbia several times and it’s gorgeous. In summer they also set up a floating infinity pool on the lake across from the hotel.
There isn’t much to Cadenabbia however, other than the hotel, so between the two towns I’d prefer Bellagio. Your choice.

Thanks again! I ended up deciding on Bellagio for that exact reason - more going on, especially at night. But I plan to visit that beautiful pool - it looks like they have day passes.