we have 11 days in italy, and I have a friend who says Lake Como is just beautiful, which from what I saw on the internet is true...we are starting in Rome from the 15-18th then I am thinking tuscany 2.5 days (one day horseback riding and cooking lesson, this will be my highlight!) then to FLorence for a day or two then the querey...do we go to venice for 2 days or should we go up to Milan and see Lake Como....all you expereinced travellers...please educate me, and feel free to tell me if any other part of the itinerary should be tweaked (or is it tweeked?)
Thanks.....
Posted by
USR, NJ
277 posts
Having been to both places several times, I would suggest Venice. Lake Como is indeed beautful, but Venice is drop dead! Hopefully, you are taking the train. Once you get off the train, walk several feet you will see the Grand Canal. Your mouth will drop open, it's that breath taking.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Where are you going to after Lake Como or Venice? Are you flying out? If yes, from where? Train travel to another country? If yes, where to? This could influence the opinion of some.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Lake Como is indeed very pretty and very relaxing - the sort of place to start your vacation so you can get over jetlag. Venice, on the other hand, is unique and is a wonderful way to end your vacation. We've been to both and, although we enjoyed Lake Como, it hasn't remained in our memories the way Venice has.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32352 posts
Mary,
Both Venice and Lago di Como have their own "unique charms". Is there one that interests you more than the other?
As someone else mentioned, this may depend to some extent on where you'll be going after that portion of the trip? If you'll be flying home from MXP, then Lago di Como would probably be better (I'd suggest Varenna, as it's an easy trip from Milan and you can take side trips from there to Bellagio or other spots on the lake).
Venice has lots of great history and is very unique (it has to be seen at least once and it's especially nice after dark when all the "day trippers" have departed). If you're going to be tired and stressed after your visit to Florence, Lago di Como is a great place to relax and just enjoy Il Dolce Far Niente (and have some Gelato of course).
Happy Travels!
Posted by
OP
La Mesa, CA, USA
10 posts
we have not booked our return flight yet we are still planning...we fly into Rome from AMS, and were originally going to drive back but we have decided to fly back, so whereever we end up is where we will fly out of...I think have the trip pretty much decided...do you think there is a chance to do both? We will have a car...I ahve not mapped it all out with days and travel time yet....if we could even spend 1/2 day at lake como....but I get the feeling it would be a pretty long detour....this is what I have so far:
Aug 15:Fly into Rome 9:00am arrival
Aug 18 at noon pick up the car and drive to Tuscany
Aug 21am head to FLorence ( ihave read one day would be okay there, if you are ltd.)
Aug22-26...that is what is left we fly back on the 26th and it can be an evening flight...
So if we could fit in both maybe got to Tuscany, Florence, Milan/lake como and then head to Venice...is that feasible?
I need to get the map out...I have the one from this site and it shows the time and kilometers..I will check aback I really appreciate your help
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
I'll be blunt. It would be a crime to choose Lake Como over Venice.
Venice is a world treasure.
Como is beautiful, but of little cultural or historic significance unless you like Wagner or Maxfield Parrish.
Posted by
Everett, WA
1299 posts
What Doug said times two.
I would choose Venice in a heartbeat...
Posted by
OP
La Mesa, CA, USA
10 posts
LOVE IT! Venice it is!!!!
Getting real excited....thanks for all your help!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, United States
64 posts
Times three. If you've never been to Venice and this is your one opportunity, then 100 times out of 100 it's Venice over Lake Como. No comparison.
Is it correct that you plan to use a car as your primary mode of transport once you leave Rome? Perhaps, you really do need the car for Tuscany. But after that - Florence and (hopefully) Venice. Unless you have a really good reason for driving, most people would recommend you ditch the car after Tuscany and use the nice new high speed Euro Star trains to get around.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32352 posts
Mary,
Be especially careful driving in Tuscany (especially Florence!). You might want to do a search here regarding the Zona Traffico Limitato zones. It's virtually impossible to drive into Florence without passing through one of the automatic Cameras. You could find a large fine waiting in your mailbox when you get home!
Note also that to drive in Italy, a, International Driver's Permit is compulsory. You can be fined on the spot for failing to produce one if requested by the Police. You can obtain an IDP at any AAA office.
Given the short duration of your trip, using high speed trains would be a much more efficient method of travel.
I really enjoyed Venice, but don't share the same level of enthusiasm as some of the previous posters. Lago di Como has it's own charm too, but it's much different than Venice.
Cheers!