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Q&A: Recommendations For Lake Como, Italy

Submitted by Community Manager, February 10, 2009
AAA Essential Italian Lakes
 
 Question: Shawn Murphy writes:  My wife and I are planning a trip to Lake Como area of Italy this summer.  Does anyone have recommendations for places to stay and day trips in that area? Thanks!

 Answer: AAA's Gayle Pierce of AAA Chicago answers: The Italian Lakes District is made up of three lakes, Como, Maggiore and Garda.  If heading to Lake Como, I would steer clear of Como itself unless the traveler is intending to stay at the very posh Villa D-Este; in reality, this hotel is in Cernobbio, just outside of Como. It is gorgeous and expensive; if that is your destination, be aware that it is a very old, historic hotel and the rooms sizes and views vary greatly.  You get what you pay for.  I personally prefer heading further up the lake to Bellagio.  It is a pretty drive on a winding highway, if you have your own car, or you can take a ferry from Como. The place to stay in Bellagio is Villa Serbelloni, also old, historic and expensive.  The town is very charming, with streets stretching up the hillside. From here, you can take a ferry to a few different points around the lake, which make for some very nice day trips.
    
     Lago Maggiore is my personal preference.  If you head up the west side of the lake, you will come to Stresa.  There are a number of lakeside hotels that are very charming and vary in price,  In the center of the lake are three islands.  One is the island of the fishermen, another has botanic interests, and the third is Bella Island. In addition to a part of the former fishermen’s village you can find the famous Mansion Borromeo, meant for the distinguished guests and built beginning from the 17th century by the noble house of Borromeo, who were feudatories of Lake Maggiore. Inside it it is possible to visit 25 richly decorated rooms: everywhere are stuccoes, statues, pictures, tapestries and Murano chandeliers. The rooms named "Grottoes" are very effective: they are set with pebbles.  From the mansion you can reach the terraced garden, where among statues and azaleas live white peacocks. From the upper terrace you can have a wonderful view to the Gulf Borromeo and Stresa.
 
     An easy day trip from Stresa by car would be a nice drive around the lake and into Switzerland, right at the northern tip of the lake. The Swiss town of Locarno is very charming with plenty of outdoor areas to enjoy and meal and the view.

Any more hints from readers? 
AAA Essential Italian Lakes has maps, Top 10 sights and places to stay, shop and eat. It is available at your local AAA office and at AAA.com/BarnesandNoble. Don't miss the Europe-themed AAA Virtual Travel Show on January 10. Go to AAA.com/VirtualShows for more details.
[Europe], [Italy], [Q&A with AAA]
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  • Image Community Manager The Community Manager typically blogs about holiday travel forecasts, travel documentation, Diamond Ratings, other general AAA travel information, etc

Comments (5)

Submitted by ann, February 11. 2009 10:34
I was dismayed to read AAA Gayle Pierce's suggestions for Lago di Como. I feel she did the area as well as the questioner a disservice with her hotel recommendation and by using such statements as:
'I would steer clear of Como itself unless the traveler is intending to stay at the very posh Villa D-Este; in reality, this hotel is in Cernobbio, just outside of Como. It is gorgeous and expensiveas well as this recommendation:
'The place to stay in Bellagio is Villa Serbelloni, also old, historic and expensive
If we were to follow her advice, only the very wealthy could afford to travel to the area. I have been there numerous times and know from first-hand experience that there are many lovely and reasonable accommodations to be had.
For example, in Como, I have stayed at the Albergo Terminus. In Bellagio, I have stayed at the Hotel Belvedere. Both lovely and much more affordable than Ms. Pierce's suggestions.


Submitted by Gayle Pierce, February 11. 2009 14:04
I am sorry that your impression was that I was only promoting the high end hotels in the lake district of Italy. However, if you read further, you would see that I did recommend Lago Maggiore, particularly Stresa, as a destination where all price ranges were available.
My intent was to steer the reader away from Como to Stresa. I found Como to be largely industrial and not condusive to vacationing unless you were at an isolated placed like Villa d'Este; that is my personal impression. Stresa offers a selection of well situated hotels at varying prices, as well as sights worth seeing and pleasant day trips.
You are correct, there are reasonable accommodations to be had in Bellagio and other spots along Lake Como. Everyone has their own experiences, likes and dislikes. Those expressed were mine. Now that you have added yours, the original questioner has even more information.
Thank you

Submitted by ann, February 11. 2009 15:41
Thanks, Gayle. I appreciate your taking the time to explain your point of view. Have you personally visited the area, specifically Como? I'm surprised to hear you refer to it as 'industrial.'


Submitted by Gayle Pierce, February 12. 2009 16:34
Yes, I have personally visited the area. I would not have put forth an opinion if I had not. I have driven throughout the Lake Como area, as well as crossed it by ferry. I advise AAA members clients on travel options based on both my experience and research and their feedback on my recommendations as well. Every traveler approaches a destination from different point of view and it’s all valuable. Thanks for writing.

Submitted by dennis sabo, April 14. 2009 19:12
Our family (four of us, two boys ages 17 and 23) are traveling to Europe the first two weeks of August. We are driving from Munich to the Lake Como area. I would like to hear anyone's suggestions on places to stay ( cities and hotels). It would be more convienient for us to stay on the east side of the lake ( Varenna, Lierna, Mandello) but could do Menaggio or Tremezzo. We would take the ferry to Bellagio unless you would suggest staying in Bellagio itself. Hotel suggestions would be appreciated (3-4 star)
Many thanks
Dennis Sabo

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