Bellagio Travel Forum

Hello, I'm off to Lake Como with my MOM, 75 in October. Trying to find a nice hotel, not too romantic (I'll be with my mom LOL), Lake Front and easy access...any suggestions?
I will probably want to scoot off to Venice for a couple of days, will need a break, how many travel days will I need to allow to/from Varenna - Venice? 1/2 day each direction?
Thanks!

Hello Melinda,

I am biased in regard as to whether you should go to Varenna or Bellagio for your hotel. You will see from my Varenna travel pages that it is my idyllic destination.
Next week we travel to Varenna with my wifes 78yo Mum.........God Help Me!

However, to the practicalities!


I would have to say that Varenna and Bellagio have lovely lake fronts but the streets from the front are fairly steep. Bellagio is rather touristy with lots of visiting parties looking at the numerous gift shops...a bit of a fading jewel hankering after a byegone age.
Varenna on the other hand has more peaceful and relaxed atmosphere with 8 hotels and and maybe the same number of restaurants.

The hotel we visit every year for a short break is Albergo Milano at

www.varenna.net

The Olivedo is right at the key and a little noisy with the coming and going of the ferries.
The Royal Victoria is to be found at the main square...very elegant, has its own pool, but not directly on the lake front.
The Hotel du Lac is right on the lake, rather refined but very beautiful.

The village website which lists all is to be found at

http://www.varennaitaly.com/index.html

I am sorry that I am unable to give any advice on Bellagio hotels.

With regards to the train service to Venice, it takes just over 4 hours from Varenna with a change Milano Centrale

http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

Beware of the rather steep hill from the station to the lake front!
5 mins going, down 10 mins back. Taxis usually available but best arranged through your hotel.

If I can offer any more help just reply through this forum.

Regards,

Billy

Others have suggested the Hotel Florence on the main street fronting the lake in Bellagio. No personal knowledge - we just walked in and had a drink and left. It is a flat walk from the carpark and the ferry dock to the hotel, but everything else in town is up steep hills. Suggest you visit the VT pages for these villages since taking pictures of the hilly streets in an "obligation" for photographers.