Good afternoon, I'm planning a trip to Italy for November over Thanksgiving Break. We will be in Rome for 4 days, Florence for 3, and ending in Lake Como. The plan was to take a day trip on the Bernina train. As I'm finding out, where we decide to stay on the lake will make a difference on the amount of time we will have to travel just to get to Tirano to board. I prefer to stay in Bellagio, but it seems that Lake Como might be the best option. Is Como town very touristy and rural, or does it have the charm of the other towns? Plan is one day out on a private tour boat with stops to different sites, and the other to the Bernina day train. Any suggestions or tips are greatly appreciated
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1995 posts
The railway to Tirano runs along the east coast: Lecco, Varenna, Bellano, Colico, you have to stay there if you want to get to Tirano early enough to ride the Bernina train. From Bellagio you would need a ferry ride to Varenna first.
Please note the difference between Como as a city and Lake Como that is a lake covering a large area. Como (the city) is on the south west coast of the lake and is not a feasible option to ride the Bernina train.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you. That answers what I was thinking. We will split our trip between Rome and Florence. Save Lake Como and Alps for different trips. Thank you for responding
Posted by
Moncton NB
1348 posts
The railway to Tirano runs along the west coast
Far be it from me to correct a Fiorentino about Italy but the train from Como to Tirano runs along the EAST side of the lake. I think Lecco and Colico are the only stops along the lake. So neither Como nor Bellagio are great options for getting the train.