Hi there,
We are 2 60ish Canadians travelling from Avignon to Munich and planning a two night stay in Lake Como. We're been there before and stayed at a hostel there and went into Como a bit. We have a car and would like like input about what area of the lake to stay and what to do when we're there. Thanks a lot for your help!
Eileen
Sleep in either Varenna or Mennagio (or Menaggio, I never remember how to spell it).
These are 2 mid-lake towns reached easily from Milan by train to Varenna.
A car is an unnecessary hassle in the Lake Como area, because everything you'll want to do is out on the lake in a boat (public ferry) or lakeside village that the public ferry system takes you to. If you're stuck with a car, you won't be able to easily cross to the other side of the lake to Mennagio, so in that case I'd recommend sleep in Varenna, park the car and don't go near the car again until you leave. The ferries will take you everywhere you want to go.
The postcard views are from the middle of the lake, the public ferry will take you there.
Don't waste time in the Town of Como itself.
It's Menaggio.
One N and two G's.
There is nothing to do on Lake Como but sit at a bar and drink while watching life go by.
You heard it from Roberto: what he didn't say is, go to Lake Garda.
Roberto is correct... I'm surprised he didn't say... go to Stressa or Arona (Lake Maggiore)
eileen,
If you want to visit Lago di Como, I'd recommend Varenna as it will be one of the easiest places to get to. I do agree with Roberto that there's not a lot do there but just enjoy Il dolce far niente. I find it a good place to just relax from the stress of travels in other areas. If staying in Varenna, you could take the Ferry across to the posh resort of Bellagio for the day. Not much to do there either, but it's a nice place to spend a few hours.
Stresa on Lake Maggiore is also a great place to spend a few days.
One of most known contemporary Italian writers, Andrea Vitali, lives in Bellano, a few miles north of Varenna, where he is the local general practitioner. His main source of inspiration for is sitting on a bench in the park along the lake and eavesdropping what nearby people, mainly retired men and women, are telling. Every now and then he gets the subject for a full novel :-)
I'm wondering if people are suggesting going to Garda or Stresa instead of Lake Como (Varenna)?
We have a car and are into the natural beauty, food, etc.
Thanks,
Eileen
Eileen,
Varenna is a quiet lakeside town & it's a nice place to relax & enjoy the scenery.
My mom & I stayed in Varenna 3 nights last fall at the end of our trip & we enjoyed taking the ferry & cruising the mid-lake.
We took the ferry to Bellagio one day but found everything to be expensive.
One day we took a bus to the city of Como & enjoyed visiting the Duomo, and it was here where we ate the best pizza on our trip at ' Locanda Barbarossa'
My mom & I also visited Lake Garda (day trip from Verona) & cruised the lower lake ( we purchased the day pass) & enjoyed exploring some of the beautiful lakeside villages (Bardolino, Garda & Lazise) We did not have a car, but if we did, we'd traveled to the northern part of the lake & would have explored Limone then taken the ferry across to Malcesine.
You may want to research the ferry website for Lakes Garda, Como & Maggiore here: http://www.navlaghi.it/eng/g_illago.html
You can read about the history, how to arrive there, what to visit & also check the ferry schedules on the website above.
If you've been to Lake Como in the past, & you will be traveling to Munich, I'd recommend exploring Lake Garda.
You could stay in the town of Peschiera del Garda then take ferry to visit the villages of your choice along the lake.
