My Wife and I are going on the Sicily tour in mid-May 2018 and afterwards we are flying to Milan and spending 3 days in Varenna. I wanted to ask if anyone had any special places, Villa's or Botanical gardens, etc. that are of special interest and are reachable by the ferry? We plan to spend at least 1/2 day at Bellagio, but I was hoping that there would be other places of interest.
Posted by
Charleston, SC, USA
927 posts
Villa Carlotta is a nice villa and gardens. There is a ferry dock right across the street. Villa Balbianello is in a similar position, just one stop south of Villa Carlotta. Both of these are on the west side of the lake. We also took a day trip to St. Moritz on the Bernina Express from Varenna. This is a pretty full day trip!
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11839 posts
We enjoyed Villa Balbianello very much. Be certain to take the guided tour as well as wandering the gardens on your own.
Also, the Viandante is very nice. We walked from Varenna to Bellano and then took the train back. It's a good half-day outing.
Posted by
11679 posts
Villa Balbianello is beautiful especially standing on the property looking up and Cross the lake. We take ferry to Lenno and then the water taxi or walk to the property out on the point.
Villa Melzi Gardens in Bellagio are along the lakefront and very worthwhile. Villa Monasterio in Varenna is also very nice and along the lake.
My least favorite is Villa Carlotta. In Bellagio, go to the top of the town and visit the 10th or 11 th c. Church.
Walk out to the point, beyond Hotel Villa Serbonelli for a beautiful view. We have spent weeks in Bellagio and never have run out of things to do,riding ferries from one end of the lake to the other.
Posted by
Atlanta
2518 posts
Villa Carlotta is a lovely place to tour and the gardens will be spectacular in May. We were there in October and touring the gardens alone took about 90 minutes or so. Very enjoyable. In May you will have many more flowers in bloom. The Villa and gardens are situated so the views of the Lake and mountains are lovely.
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3303 posts
I enjoyed visiting the city of Como. It has a beautiful 14th century cathedral, the foreboding Romanesque Basilica di San Fedele and the Basilica of Sant'Abbondio consecrated in the 11th century. Right near the ferry docks you can take the funicular up to Brunate and get spectacular views of the city, Lake Como and the alps.