Stay in Como or. Bellagio?

Bellagio would be the preferred choice for most people. It's more charming, while Como seems a bit more city like.

Bellagio has its charms (we stayed there for three nights last fall), but it all depends on some other variables as well. The single biggest factor in my mind is how you want to spend your time at the lake. If it is just relaxing and hanging out Bellagio is the place. If you want to explore the lake front either Varenna or Menaggio would be good choices based on their central location on the lake. If you are travelling by train, you might want to stay in Varenna...if you are going by car, Menaggio on the west side of the lake might be appealing. If you are in Bellagio by car, you cannot conveniently leave (for example to do a drive around the lake) without taking a ferry across the lake. Como is the largest city on the lake, so it has some features that are "city like" you may find interesting, but it is on the southern end of the lake and not a close to some of the more interesting destinations...(but not to far from Villa D'Este)

Thanks for the tips -- keep 'em coming! We are flying in and out of Milan, so I guess we would get to the Como area by train (haven't figured that out yet!) We won't have a car, and I'm assuming we won't need one. We'd like to explore the other towns -- I understand we can get from place to place by boat/ferry. Although, I'd like to believe that we will be hanging out and relaxing, my husband and I do like to "see" and "go" -- in a way it's good that there aren't any must-see pieces of art or historical sites. Maybe that will force us to relax!

Amy

Varenna is more charming in my opinion. You can get there very easily from Milan Centrale (about one hour on train). Ferries run all over the lake from there and you can visit Bellagio, etc.

You'll get the train to Como - very easy to navigate and then you have a couple of options. There are buses - exact routes I'm not sure but someone will know - and cabs. I know one bus route will take you down to where the ferries dock and then you could get the ferry to Bellagio if that's where you decide to stay. I'm sure there will be a bus to Bellagio as well. Or you could get a cab but it will probably be quite expensive. Also when you do get a cab you have to pay return fare for him to get back to Como so it may cost you 20Euro to get to Bellagio but you will pay 40Euro. Getting around the lake is very easy either by ferry or bus.

Doesn't George Clooney have a place somewhere around there? Shouldn't THAT be the deciding factor?!

Karen,
Word has it that GC has a place near Varenna, but I was there for a week and only saw a helicopter!
Haha...

GC's home is in Laglio, the same side as Menaggio, about 15 km south and he can be seen around town without problem in a little unassuming German car as well as a big scooter. He frequents various untouristy restaurants and golf areas.

To answer your question, Como is a good size city and Bellaggio is a beautiful spot to chill. You can always take a ferry to Varenna or Menaggio.

Linda, that's what I heard as well...his place is close to Villa d'Este...one of prime resort hotels on the lake.

Well, we'd better stop this now before it turns into a stalker thread and the webmaster reports us to Clooney.