My husband I and I are traveling through Milan in September and would like to do a day trip to the Lake Region. We will likely take the train to Varenna but are unsure if it is better to spend the time there or hop on a ferry to Bellagio. Looking for suggestions. Thanks much.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Take a train to Stresa (on Lake Maggiorre). It has two lovely offshore islands you can take a boat to, called the Borromean islands.
See website here: http://www.stresa.com/
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7175 posts
You can't go wrong with either Stresa on Lake Maggiore or Varenna (and maybe Bellagio) on Lake Como. They are each about an hour from Milan by train. I preferred Stresa myself because I loved the Borromean Islands, especially Isola Bella. We did not go to Varenna but did spend an afternoon in Bellagio, which was very enjoyable.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
"The Lake Region" is very large and covers multiple lakes, including Orta, Maggiore, Como, and Garda. On a day trip, you can only visit one lake, and from Milan, Maggiore and Como are the closest and easiest.
If you go to Varenna on Lake Como, it's very easy to hop over to Bellagio for part of the day if you wish. Personally, I liked Varenna a lot and didn't like Bellagio except for the Villa Melzi gardens, but obviously tastes differ. I haven't been to Lake Maggiore, so I can't compare.
Posted by
Sunriver
1321 posts
I love both Lake Como and Maggiorie but Bellagio is my favorite town on either of the lakes. Stresa is second. We found Varenna sort of sleepy and quiet - which is what RS thinks is the best part of Varenna. For a day trip you cannot go wrong with either Bellagio or Stresa.