Hello!
Planning a trip with extended family to Italy. We have five nights for Lakes region--family prefers to stay in Stresa, but we also want to see Lake Como. Should we stay in Lake Maggiore (Stresa) five nights and do a day trip to Como, or should we stay three nights in Stresa and 2 in Como (Menaggio)? We have never been to either and want to see both.
Grazie!
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16355 posts
Are you planning to drive? Or use trains and buses?
Either way going from Stresa to Lake Como is almost a two hour trek by car (a little less if you settle for Cernobbio instead of Menaggio) or a 3-3.5 hour journey by train (each way), assuming you train to Varenna, therefore I would split my stay at the two lakes, if you must absolutely see Lake Como.
Posted by
Somonauk, Illinois, USA
408 posts
Been to both lakes and love them both. Each were on separate trips, so can’t say how complicated it is to go from one to the other. But each is completely different. If going to Lake Como, stay in Varenna. Absolutely gorgeous town with a walkway along the lake. We stayed at a hotel right on the water, near the ferry,, with a room overlooking the water. There’s a short ferry ride to Bellagio & Menaggio. Both towns are lovely to stroll, picnic lunch on the water, and just soak up the atmosphere. 2 nights here would be perfect.
Now, when we went to Lake Maggiore, we stayed at a fabulous hotel/with restaurant, on the island across from Stresta. We loved it! You can pickup the ferry up in Stresta. It will take you straight there. Sorry can’t remember the name. Then you can take the ferry around the lake to some other islands that have the most fantastic villas & gardens to walk around, and the ferry makes a stop in Switzerland too. 3 nights, or even all 5 nights, would be well spent here. Make sure you take the ski lift up the mountain in Stresta. It’s awesome!
If you can work out the train between the two lakes, I’d do both. If not, I’d pick Lake Maggiore.
Enjoy!
Posted by
Monterey County, CA (formerly Verbania Italy-Lago Maggiore)
1663 posts
Not sure when are are going?
There is so much to do on Lago Maggiore from Stresa, don’t bother to spend the time to day trip to Como. City of Como is Ok, but not worth a day.
The islands of course… but also
1. taking the ferry to Arona Switzerland is a great for lunch, if you time it on the right day you, you might be able to stop in Cannobio.
2. Ferry to Intra, then ferry across the lake and take the bucket gondola Up from Laveno
3. Ferry to the Santa Catarina del Sasso Monastery, built into the side of the cliffs
4. Across the lake from Arona, there is a castle, Rocco di Angera. You can get to Arona by train, or maybe ferry, depending on the schedule, then quick ferry across the lake to Angela.
5. Ferry to Verbania Pallanza, walk along the lake around the peninsula, looking at villas (ruins and renovated), visit Villa Taranto, then walk to Intra and visit the beautiful church. (Verbania Pallanza has the best croissants in Europe at the bakery up via Ruga)
6. Nice hike from Stressa to Belgirate. Check ferry and bus schedule in advance
7. Train to Domodossola, about an hour from Stressa
8. Rent a pontoon or motorboat and explore the lake on your own. Not sure if you can rent in stress, but definitely in Verbania
If you need additional info, website links, etc., PM me.
We leave for Europe in 2 weeks and our first stop is Verbania for 4 nights, revisiting our old stomping grounds