As we are having some difficulty finding a place to stay we are considering Menaggio. We will be coming from Bolzano. What is the best way to do this? It was already going to be a long travel day just getting to Varenna. We would then take a ferry from there to Menaggio?
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2420 posts
hey hey kcdav
since you're having issues with accommodations on this lake and knowing it will be crowded, have you tried looking at lake garda or lake maggiore? the demand for lake como is so outta hand, totally agree with roberto. lake people want to relax and enjoy their own space without an envasion or intrusion which seems to be happening all over.
aloha
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17562 posts
Before you give up on Varenna you might look at the properties available on booking.com, as several people have suggested.
If you find nothing there, you should look at the ferry schedules between Varenna and Menaggio to see if that would be convenient. There are several different types of boats and different schedules for weekdays and weekends, but these are examples:
https://www.navigazionelaghi.it/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/05P2024_Web_TrFeriale.pdf
https://www.navigazionelaghi.it/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/01P2024_Web_Como.pdf
Note that these say up to 26 May. The updated one for June is not online yet. It may or may not work out well with your train timing (you could end up having to wait an hour or more for the next ferry).
Other alternatives to consider would be towns on the same train line as Varenna—-you either get off the train before or after Varenna. Lecco is where some of the Rick Steves tours are staying; you could look into that. Or try Bellano, the next town after Varenna.
Posted by
2816 posts
We stayed in Bellano in 2021 which is one train stop from Varenna. It would be easier for coming and going than Menaggio but Menaggio is part of mid lake ferry route that is more frequent than Bellano.
We liked Bellano a lot-less touristy than mid lake towns which we did visit. The ferry does run less frequently though. One time we did go back to Varenna by ferry for dinner and then took the train one stop to Bellano.
We liked Menaggio too when we visited and in fact that was where we chose to stay for 2020 trip which was cancelled. Nothing for a large group (we had 7) was available then so that is how we ended up in Bellano.
Posted by
OP
203 posts
Lecco and Bollano may be a good alternative. We do not plan on getting a car so Lake Garda doesnt seem practical and as you said, the best ferry service is from Varenna. I guess we could hire a drive from Varenna ferry to Maggiore.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7229 posts
I think you mean Mennagio not Maggiore (which is a different lake)
Look at the map
Mennagio is on opposite side of lake from Varenna
Hiring a driver would seem completely impractical and likely very expensive
Posted by
OP
203 posts
Yes, Mennagio. Would hiring a driver from the ferry in Varenna to Mennagio be impractical? Thanks Christine.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7229 posts
Yes that was my point
It is across the lake
A driver would have to go all the way around the lake
Have you considered Lake Maggiore?
We really liked Stresa
Less touristy
You may need to reconsider the final leg of your itinerary
Go from Bolzano to Milan
Spend 1-2 nights in Milan
Then go to Stresa and end your trip there
Stresa is actually closer to MXP than Milan
There is an airport bus from Stresa to MXP which means you can spend the night before departure in Stresa
Posted by
OP
203 posts
Oh this may be a good alternative. We were ending in Milan because we are flying home from there on an 11:00am flight
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7229 posts
End in Milan
OR end in Stresa
Either works
Milan is further from the airport
By slotting Milan in between your time in Bolzano and Stresa you eliminate some of the longer transits/ changes
I believe there is a 6:30 bus from Stresa to MXP gets you there in an hour
Here is the bus info
Scroll down for English
https://www.safduemila.com/linee/alibus-malpensa-lago-maggiore/
Try this hotel in Stresa
https://www.milansperanza.it/
It’s perfectly located, right near the ferry and bus
They have availability from 10/4 thru 10/11
So you can decide
Check availability in Milan as well
If you want to see Last Supper be aware it is closed in Monday
We loved our stay at Hotel Duca di York
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17562 posts
Stresa is an excellent suggestion. Just make sure the timing of the bus to MXP works for you. Here is the schedule:
https://www.safduemila.com/linee/alibus-malpensa-lago-maggiore/
With an 11am flight, the only bus that would work is the 6:30 am one. Or you could book a private driver instead—-your hotel can help with that.