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One week itinerary through the Italian lakes in February?

Posted by (San Francisco) on

Hello Italy travelers! After a couple weeks in Switzerland, my husband and I have about a week to spend near lakes Como, Maggiore, Lugano and Orta. We are super excited to see the area during low season but aware that most attractions, lodging and restaurants will be closed until March-April.

We will start in Como city in order to explore the area by car and drop it in Milan (the Italy/Italy pickup/dropoff was MUCH cheaper than pickup in Switzerland and drop off in Italy, FYI...)

Would love your input on the itinerary we have tentatively put together:

  • Spend 3 nights to explore around Lake Como
  • Spend 1 night in Ascona to see the northern part of Maggiore and Locarno, checking out Lugano on the way
  • Spend 2 nights in Stresa to see the Borromean isles and Orta area.

Here are my questions for you experts:

  • Where to stay on Como, given the season: Como city or Menaggio? We don't need a metropolis but would be fun to have some people around and a few restaurants/shops open.
  • Is one night enough in Ascona or should add one and take one from another spot?
  • Is Stresa big enough to be open in the winter or is there a better city to use as a base for the southern part of Maggiore? I would love to stay a night on Orta but seems too quiet in the off-season...
  • Given the villas on the Borromean isles will be closed in winter, is it still worthwhile to go to the islands and/or leave time to do so from Stresa?
  • Is it safe to leave suitcases in a rental car in this area in the winter - not overnight but for a short walk or lunch? I am from San Francisco and unfortunately, this is not possible here anymore :(

Would love to hear any input/advice on this route! Many thanks!

Posted by
27 posts

We have visited all the lakes, most recently Maggiore but are revisiting Como and Garda next month.You are in for a treat!
Bellagio or Varenna on Lake Como would be my vote, both beautiful and with ferry connections to elsewhere on the lake ( as of course other places have too.)
I wouldn’t go for Como…too busy/city-like for me.
Wasn’t impressed with Locarno though Ascona itself on Maggiore is lovely.My favourite village was Cannobio, absolute gem of a place.
Stresa is a very lovely town and I would think would be large enough to be good as a base at that time of year though I’ve only been in September.
We didn’t get over to the Borromean Islands though they must certainly give wonderful views of the lake and mountains plus the gardens must be very pretty too.
It all seemed very safe to me but perhaps a local could better advise re leaving suitcases.It’s never an ideal thing to do but if you are parked on the lakeside promenade at Stresa, I can’t imagine you having a problem.

Posted by
1608 posts

I was in Stresa this past September and chatted with a shopkeeper on the Corso Italia. She was looking forward to winter and being able to close up and have a vacation herself. So there may not be many shops or restaurants open in February.

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