Lake Como suggestions for first timers

If you are willing to travel that far for three days, I'd plump for Bellagio or Varenna as a base. Depending on the time of year, you can visit the many villas/gardens dotted around the lake. Lenno is a small, pretty place with a decent outdoor market (Thursday?). Como and Menaggio are so-so at best.

I liked Lake Como but not enough to return, and too far away from Basel for a short trip for my liking. I don't know about your interests, or where your cruise is headed, but if you looking for mountain scenery then the Bernese Oberland is much closer and a more attractive area. Alsace is pretty and on the doorstep of Basel, Burgundy and Lake Constance are a little further. I'm in the small minority but I'd rather eat cake and hike in the Black Forest than visit Lake Como.

This is a perfect opportunity to travel the scenic Bernina Pass route from Italy to Switzerland, as Varenna is right on the way.

Fly into Milan and transfer to the Milano Centrale train station. The regional train from there to Varenna-Esino station takes only a hour and costs under €7 last time I checked.

Spend two nights in the charming lakefront town of Varenna. We like Alberto Milano which has lakeview rooms with balcony in several different buildings. We like the large, bright top floor room in their Casa Rossa but note there are lots of steps!

From Varenna, you continue North on the train ( the same line you arrived on) to the Swiss border at Tirano. There you change to a Swiss train going over the Bernina Pass, the one train line that goes over the Alps rather than underneath in a tunnel. You can take a special "scenic" Bernina Pass train, or a regular regional train that runs more frequently over the same track, with the same views. Ride as far as Pontresina, a small Alpine town, to spend the night, or transfer to the smaller nearby village of Samedan. From either, you can ride a mountain lift up to great views and maybe a mountain restaurant.

The journey time from Varenna to Pontresina is 3.5 to 4 hours.

Next day you board a northbound train toward Chur, with more great scenery. You will change trains 2 0r 3 times on the way to Basel, arriving there around 4.5 hours after leaving Pontresina.

We have made the trip over the Bernina Pass on our way between Switzerland and Italy, and highly recommend it.

Your alternative from Varenna is to return to Milan and take a more direct route into Switzerland via a tunnel. You can reach Basel in 4.5 to 5.5 hours from Milan, depending on the route and number of changes.

I would not spend the extra $$ to stay in Varenna. We stayed 6 days in the city of Como. It was an easy walk to the boats to go to all the scenic sites in Bellagio and Varenna.

For your Lake Como to Basel, here are some options--- https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Varenna/Basel

Yes, Milan is the closest airport and makes for a fairly simple trip to Varenna.

Debbie,

I would also recommend staying in Varenna for a few days. It's a beautiful smaller town and an ideal base for exploring other towns in the mid-lake area. There's a good range of accommodations there and Albergo Milano mentioned earlier is a big favourite. You could also look at Royal Hotel Victoria or Villa Cipressi.

Have a close look at the suggestions from Lola, as that would be a nice way to arrange your trip.

Thanks to all who replied. I will follow up on suggestions. We switched the cruise and now will end in Basel. We will then have 3 days for touring around Lake Como. We plan to use trains from Basel to Lake Como and later to Milan. I rally want a small hotel with a view on the lake. Any more suggestions if those mentioned are full?

I like Jackie's advice. Varenna is interesting to visit, but why pay the extra $$ when you can see Varenna and other Lake Como towns like Bellagio (recommended) from Como by boat or in some cases, by train. $1,500 for 3 days is quite enough to budget. There are plenty of hotels with a lake view. However, just a tip. A lake view may be very noisy at night with people gathering until all hours. Bring very good ear plugs if you are a light sleeper. Enjoy your cruise and stay at Lake Como.

Debbie,

If you have a Library or larger book store nearby, have a look at the RS Italy guidebook, as there will be other hotel suggestions there. You could also have a look at Albergo Olivedo, which is right at the Ferry dock (a very convenient location). It's an older hotel but I found the rooms to be well maintained, clean and comfortable, and I enjoyed the food in the restaurant.

I do not care for the location of Hotel Olivedo. There is a parking lot/paved area between the hotel and the lake, so the views are not great. And with the ferry dock right there, you have a lot of traffic.

Maybe Hotel du Lac? A lovely waterfront location away from the ferry dock area. They do not have online booking or lose third party booking agents; you fill out a form on their website and they get back to you. So it does not book up as quickly as other properties.

Or consider Eremo Gaudio. My boss and his wife loved it there. But they had a car. It is perched high above town which is great for the views, but it is a steep walk into town.

One day take a ferry to Lenno where you can walk or take a water taxi to Villa Balbiano, stunning views from there up the lake and across to Bellagio. It is a photographer’s dream.

We are big fans of Hotel Olivedo. The views are fantastic from the room. The hosts are wonderful people as well. You will also enjoy the restaurant. While there is occasional traffic from the car ferries you also avoid the clutch of tourists in Old Town. It is close to the train station and the ferry dock so easy access to any transport needs.

We did not like Albergo Olivedo at all. Beds were like camp cots and rooms were noisy/. Food was mediocre at best and the owner Laura was rude.