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Milan, Varenna and one more place??

My husband and I are traveling then meeting our two daughters ages 21 and 23 who are coming from different places in Milan for two days then to Varenna Lake Como for 5 full days. We're staying in a wonderful airbnb. We only have 8 full days together as a family because of our daughters job so my original thought was not to spend too much time going from place to place but now I'm worried that 5 days (6 nights) in Lake Como is too long?

I could cut one day from Milan and one day off of Lake Como and go somewhere else for a couple of days? or take a day trip or maybe even an overnight trip from Varenna?

As a family we're not big "tour" people and the girls have limited patience for a lot of sightseeing. I looked into the Bernini express trip to St Moritz but no one was very interested in being on a crowded train for 12 hours. We're doing a cooking class one day and I know they want to something active or adventuresome but it might be fun to go one more place?

The trip is 3 weeks away! Help?

Posted by
3551 posts

Besides taking ferry to surrounding towns as Bellagio and Menaggio u could easily get to Lugano, switz either as a daytrip or overnite. I have done th is and enjoyed my time there. Lake como and espec Varenna is a place to relax and enjoy the beauty.
Hopefully u have access to a pool which would be fun, beach is tiny &for some renting bicycles. But get any hotel reservations soon.

U could also visit Stresa from Milan. Another lay back area with a ski lift for views and trips on lake to visit islands.

Posted by
11344 posts

It is a longish stay in Varenna, but you can make the most of it by visiting some of the iconic sites such as Villa Balbianello, hike the Via Andante to Bellano and train back (details in Rick Steves Italy Guide), and even go to the town of Como. Many people, as you know, try to fit in "just one more stop." Staying in one place can be very rewarding and truly a vacation.

Posted by
1413 posts

While in varenna take a hike up to the castle. Its definately a nice half day...take water, you could even pack a picnic

Posted by
1166 posts

We read about this "day trip" and loved the experience ! With the days you have, you could visit them separately and leisurely...

Ferry to Mennaggio
Bus to Lugarno
Train to Como
Ferry back to Varenna

Posted by
473 posts

While in Varenna check out Lake Como Food Tours. We had big fun taking their cooking class. The chef is wonderful. Its in the town of Mandello about 20 minutes by train.

Posted by
11199 posts

I would be tempted to spend 3-4 nights in Varenna and the other 2-3 in Venice

Posted by
25 posts

I love the idea of going to Venice! But we went to Venice as a family on our last trip. I thought about going again but our girls wanted to do something different this time. Is there another city we could go to for a couple of days????

Posted by
1003 posts

My husband & I spent 3 nights in Varenna in early Oct. 2014 and it was just right & then headed to the C.T. Have you been to the Cinque Terre? It could be challenging to find accommodations 3 weeks out though. Or how about Verona and Lake Garda? It has been ten years since we were in Verona with our kids but we all enjoyed it and visited a number of the small villages on the lake from Sirmione, with its castle, on the south side; Bardolino & Lazise on the east side; & stopped at Riva del Garda, which is beautiful & surrounded by cliffs and mtns, on the north end of the lake when we were coming back from a daytrip to Bolzano. We stayed at a beautiful agriturismo nearby Lake Garda called Ca del Baldo, www.cadelbaldo.com It is located just on the edge of a small village, Caprese Veronese, at the foothills of Mt. Baldo & run by a lovely couple, Roberta and her husband who live in the yellow farmhouse. Our family of 4 stayed in the apartment Il Fienile and there is a nice pool. We did not go but Gardaland amusement park is also nearby. Another place we went to was Mantua/Mantova, where the Gonzaga's Ducal Palace is. We enjoyed it and was very untouristy. Padova/Padua was nice too with the Scroveggni Chapel. We did have a car. Buon Viaggio!

Posted by
25 posts

Thank you everyone! Janet- could we go from Milan to Verona and then to Varenna? We are flying in and out of Milan. The place you sent looks amazing!