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Staying put vs splitting time?

Posted by on

Hello,

I posted several weeks ago about an October trip to Milan and The Lakes. I'm tweaking the itinerary and could use some more advice. I'm thinking of cutting Milan from 3 nights to 2, and then heading to the Lakes. Would I be better off spending 6-8 nights at Lake Como, with day trips, or splitting the time with Lake Maggiore? (Can you do a day trip, for example, from Lake Como--Varenna, Bellagio, or Menaggio--to Stresa? Or get to Switzerland for a day trip from Lake Como?) We're probably going to rent an apartment, and I've been thinking we might be able to get something nicer if we stayed for a week, rather than a shorter stay...on the other hand, I don't want to limit our options in terms of what we see/do. Thank you for your input!

Posted by
21348 posts

Stresa is a bit of a stretch from Varenna. You'll figure that out when you see the terrain. Nothing but steep ridges running north-south. Getting to Switzerland is easy enough. Ferry to Menaggio, then bus to Lugano. If you stay in Varenna for a whole week, there will be plenty to keep you busy with ferry boats running up and down the lake. Check out Dongo and Gravedona on the opposite shore to the north.
If your heart is set on seeing Stresa, I'd pack an overnight bag and go over and spend a night. You will be paying for a room at 2 different places for one night, but maybe you can find something cheap to crash for the night. Think of it as a vacation from your vacation.

Posted by
28462 posts

Don't know anything about driving conditions, but I think you might be able to design a loop trip by train (possibly not even requiring a night away from your base) that would allow you to experience the Centovalli train ride between Locarno, Switzerland, and Domodossala, Italy.

Posted by
3551 posts

Menaggio to Lugano switz is easy to do about 30 min bus ride.
Take a bus ck schedules ahead bus stop is close to menaggio dock.
Why not do your one night in stresa upon your arrival there is an airport bus during peak season.

Posted by
3648 posts

Part of the answer lies in your tolerance for driving. Over the years I've come to set my limit at 1.5 hours each way for a day trip.. More than that, I stay overnight; or I have two bases. Also, it depends on how many day trips we want to take. I shouldn't think you'll have too much trouble finding a nice apartment in October for less than a week's stay.

Posted by
16232 posts

Are you renting a car?

8 nights in any place would probably bore me, even if that place is Paris or London. So I would probably split it.
If you stay in Menaggio, you can easily visit Bellagio and Varenna on Lake Como (by ferry) and also Lugano and its lake (in Switzerland). There is also a bus that connects Menaggio to Lugano (45 min), which runs along the lake. See link below.
http://www.menaggio.com/ita/e-lakes/Orari_bus.pdf

Going to Stresa from Menaggio is almost a 2 hour drive. By public transit it is quite convoluted. I've actually done it by train (from Bellagio, actually), a long time ago, but it takes over 3 hours when everything is said and done..

Posted by
1321 posts

For me it's about packing & unpacking....not a fan so I do like to stay put....now that said I like the 1.5 hour rule for day trips versus moving.

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