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Lake itinerary help needed

Posted by (Upper Saddle River NJ) on

Hi all. I have 2 full days in the lakes area. There are 2 adult couples.

Day 1 I was going to do:
Pescallo
Lungo Lario

Day 2 I came up with one of the 2 choices... I dont know which one I should take.
Id I were to take choice 1 - should I remove Locarno because of the extra drive.
Some recommendations would be appreciated.

Choice 1:
Porlezza
Gandria
monte brè funiculer
Locarno (Lake Maggiore)
Bellagio
(without Locarno its 1:20 less, total: 2:40)

Choice 2:
Morcote
monte brè funiculer
Gandria
Porlezza
Bellagio

Thank you.

Posted by
1432 posts

If you only have 2 days I'd pick just 1 lake. Personally, I've done day trips to Lake Lugano and Maggiore and overnighted on Lake Como. Since you appear to be in Bellagio the first day I'd stick to Lake Como. Varenna and Menaggio are both just short ferry rides away.

Posted by
29893 posts

I've traveled in that area, but only via public transportation. I see that the estimated driving times are not bad, but what about finding a place to leave your car? I suspect that could eat up considerable time, and you probably will not be parking right in the middle of the historic area, so you'll spend extra time walking back and forth. I hope someone who has actually had a car in that area can comment.

Posted by
41 posts

A car for us is an absolute must. I am also no stranger to tough areas to park and driving on windy roads :).
My itinerary has been modified by some help from folks. Here it is...

Day 1
Bellaggio and walk to Pescallo

Day 2
Varenna
Ortanella Lunch at Cacciatori
Bigallo
Esino
Perledo
Bellano
back to the hotel (in Bellaggio)

DAY 3
Boat Trip from Bellaggio
Orrido di Nesso
Colma di Sormano Lunch: Ristorante la Colma
Asso
Ghisallo - museo del ghisallo
back to the hotel

Posted by
29893 posts

I suggest double-checking your source on Pescallo. I walked over there from the touristy part of Bellagio in 2024. I may not have gotten to the best parts. It was quiet (a nice change) but I found it a dull walk. Perhaps I just needed to give it more time; I didn't get quite all the way to the port. In case it helps, this was my path: south along Via Valassina, east along Crotto Pescallo, south along Via Pescallo and then (doubling back) north along Via Pescallo as far as the Miralago B&B and Apartments. That area is quite hilly too.

Posted by
41 posts

During my Day 2 I am going to the Varenna area (see below). I absolutely need to take the car for many reasons.
Question...
Do I take the car on the ferry fro Bellagio to Varenna OR do I drive around from the south. If I drive around, should I reorder this?

Hotel in Bellagio
Varenna
Ortanella - Lunch: Cacciatori
Bigallo
Esino
Perledo
Bellano
back to Bellagio

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