I would like to decide whether we should take a couple of quiet days to see lake Como, on our way to Milan in the middle of January 2024. We like cool weather and less tourists, but not 'dead'. What are the general thoughts? It seems such a pity to see it through a train window again... ???
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11946 posts
Daylight hours will be short, leafy trees bare and weather iffy.
Where to draw the line between 'quiet' and 'dead', is subjective.
Posted by
Auckland
90 posts
We were there 26/27 December this year on our way from Zurich to Verona.
There were not many resturants open, with about 3 to choose from. The phamracy and Deli were open during the afternoon. The Gelato shop was open.
We stayed in Varenna and visited Bellagio and Cadenabbia. In Bellagio, about 4/5 of shops were shut, and in Cadenabbia, everything but one was closed.
Easy to get on and off ferries. Bellagio got busier in the afternoon.
We ate at a restaurant that had bad google reviews, however we found the food and service good, and the price very reasonable.
We wanted a quiet stay to recover from jet lag. We had a 25 hour flight to Zurich, so wanted down time.
To answer your question, yes, Varenna is dead. Bellagio is slightly busier..
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2571 posts
Where are you coming from? Maybe you could stop on the way for a few hours, but don’t need to spend a night?
We were there in late December one year and Varenna was dead. Bellagio was definitely livelier.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you for the helpful replies much appreciated.