And to take one day trip from Milan to Lake Como with private boat experience on get your guide or visitor
Is it rushed or is it worth a day trip?
Would it be easier to do it without a guided tour?
I don’t have any days to go COMO and stay
Posted by
Big Island of Hawaii
759 posts
I see that this is offered as a one-day, ten hour tour. It's too bad that you don't have any more time to actually spend at Lake Como, but perhaps going on a tour would be easier than making all of the arrangements on your own. There is a ferry that goes between towns on Lake Como, but if you did this on your own then you'd have to be making train reservations and worrying about timing on the ferry. So, in answer to your question, I think it would be easier to take the tour and let them make all the arrangements, especially the private boat tour on the lake.
Posted by
Minneapolis
1262 posts
Hi Rick. My two cents worth - no need for a guide. Just take the 1 hour train ride to Varenna on your own. It's a regional train, no need to reserve or buy tickets ahead. From there, hop on a public ferry; stay on as long as you like while it circles the mid-lake, or get on and off as you please. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6596 posts
You could take the train to Varenna and then buy a ferry ticket and cruise to your heart's content. Read the RS guide section on the area and you will have plenty to do. You can do the RS walking tour of Bellagio and Varenna. You could take a tour of Villa Balbianello. You really don't need a guide to help you with these things. It would be an easy excursion from Milan. You wouldn't need reservations for the train or the ferry.
Posted by
11609 posts
You do not need/want to go the city of Como with your limited time.
Take a train to Varenna from Milan and then a short ferry ride over to Bellagio. Breathtaking views!
Return to Varenna for a short while before taking the train back to Milan. We have been to Lake Como four times, once for two weeks. It is gorgeous! There is absolutely no need for a guide.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34005 posts
I have happily wandered the lake just by using the ferries which ply all over the different sections of the lake, the best being the middle area, from Varenna. The station is Varenna-Esino and getting around is super easy.
Very enjoyable and very cheap.
I suppose a private (how private? 20 or 30 people or 3 or 4 - big difference!!!) could be fun, but the ferries are comfortable, great seating and views, a bar and snack back down the stairs, and go slowly enough that you can really enjoy where you are. So easy.