My husband and I hope to visit Milan, ride the Bernina Express and visit the Lakes District from June 6 to June 12,2018. I have reserved 3 nights hotel in Milan( June 6 and checking out on June 9). Is it best to go on the Bernina Express from Milan and then visit the Lake District maybe staying for 2 nights before heading back to Milan for our flight to Lisbon, or reversing the itinerary and starting in Milan then the Lake to Bernina Express then end back in Milan. Please suggest the best way to complete our Bernina Express experience and Lake area visit.
Where would you suggest we stay overnight in the Lake District, Verena, Como or....?
Posted by
Florida
151 posts
Bernina Express...awesome choice! Not sure if you are driving or taking the train? We stayed on the west side of the Lake Como in a small town and drove to Tirano, Italy where we caught the Bernina Express. My recommendation would be to stay at the lake for two or three nights, make a day trip out of Bernina and then head back to Milan. It's an amazingly beautiful ride to Tirano riding along Via Regina (main road to get on and off the lake) and into the mountains. Make sure you have your passport with you as you will be crossing into Switzerland and passports are required...or at least they were the time we rode the Bernina. Lake Como is a yearly trip for us so we are very familiar with the area. I would stay in Tremezzo or Menaggio on the western shore. You could always take a ferry to the golden triangle (Belllagio, Verena and Menaggio). There is an awesome wine bar in Tremezzo called Cantina Follie...antipasta is amazing! Tremezzo is rather touristy, but very nice with views of Bellagio, Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbienello....I could go on and on! Enjoy!
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks so much for your tips! We will start looking at hotels for our stay in Tremezzo and follow your plan. I was a little anxious in planning these few days, but now, so relieved after your reply.
Thanks again.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
The Bernina Express route only starts at Tirano, then heads north via St. Moritz to end in Chur. You don't need to travel the whole route, but I assume you'll want to go most of the way for the mountain scenery.
I would avoid staying in Milan twice. Depending on your flight time to Lisbon, that probably means sleeping on Lake Como upon arrival to Italy and in Milan at the end. Varenna (on the east side, where most trains run) is only one hour beyond Milan and then 1.5 hours to Tirano when you head north.
Or you can start your Bernina trip with the bus that runs in summer, departing at 10:00 a.m. from Lugano (Switzerland) to Tirano.