Italian Lakes - where to go?

AndyT678

Hi all

Hoping for a bit of holiday advice / suggestions from people familiar with the Italian Lakes.

My wife and I have been to Salo on Lake Garda a couple of times and loved it. We've also been on day trips to Garda and Sirmione and were less keen on those towns. We're looking to maybe try somewhere new this year in Como or Maggiore.

We've no kids to accomodate or anything just looking for somewhere a bit refined to relax and unwind. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

richardw

I've only been to Lake Como. Didn't like Como itself and Bellagio is a touristy, although some parts just outside are very nice.

Grumpelstiltskin

Look at Stresa on Lake Maggiore.


Either on a package or you can do it yourself as the Milan railway line runs through Stresa.

totallybored

I like Como, can't remember the hotel I've stayed in but it was on a little quiet piazza not far from the lake and I had a lovely balcony filled with flowers that you could sit on. Bellagio is very pretty and worth a trip up the lake even if it is very touristy. You can get a train to Lugano in Switzerland which is a nice lake too. I can't remember where the intercity goes after Lugano but there used to be a glass ceiling carriage on some of the trains. I have no idea if this still runs or even if it was a special advertised train but the view just into Lugano on it was good so I imagine it's even better the further into Switzerland.

You can do a day into Milan, you can get the fast train from the main station or the slow, cheaper train from the station on the lake.

growler834

We have been to Lake Maggiore several times since our honeymoon there 27 years ago. Stresa & it's smaller neighbour Baveno are lovely. Both have Italian villa-type hotels that hark back to a bygone age or there are more modern hotels. We now like to stay in an apartment, shop at the local food shops & markets & live like a local. You can get around on the ferries (day passes available) & get up to the northern part of the lake in Switzerland. There is a cable car from Stresa up to the top of Mount Mottorone from where you can view 7 of the Italian lakes (including Como). Or if you like serious walking you can walk up and/or back down Mottorone (return trip takes about 7 hours)! Stresa & Baveno can easily be reached by train from Milan.

AndyT678

Thanks all. I'll take a look at these.

crazymoose82

AndyT678 wrote: »

Hi all

Hoping for a bit of holiday advice / suggestions from people familiar with the Italian Lakes.

My wife and I have been to Salo on Lake Garda a couple of times and loved it. We've also been on day trips to Garda and Sirmione and were less keen on those towns. We're looking to maybe try somewhere new this year in Como or Maggiore.

We've no kids to accomodate or anything just looking for somewhere a bit refined to relax and unwind. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

I agree about Garda, not as special as you might think. But Sirmione is really quite different, the old town is intriguing. I've been there for one day some years ago and have decided to use that as our base for exploring more of the lake when we go this year.