Hi guys,

I'm planning a weekend trip to Como with my wife & kids. I've read the reviews on the forum already but am still a little undecided where exactly to go in the Como area. Can you guys help recommend?

A key factor is that my missus is pregnant and not very mobile. So, any place with gardens and places where we can go for gentle strolls, and basically spend a lazy weekend would be ideal Uncle Max's previous recommendation for Menaggio looks good for this, and also Bellagio seems to be highly rated by EFers.

Or should we just stick to Como and visit the smaller towns by boat?

Thanks

PS. We're travelling to the Como area by SBB

If she is pregnant be careful where you stay as most villages along como are on steep hill sides (we had an almost vertical climb home when we were last there)

Are you wanting hotel or apartment? will you be driving or public transport?

Mennagio is lovely but again very hilly unless you get one of the few hotels on the front - but the hills weren't so steep there - how far pregnant is she?

Thanks Nicky.

She is 6 months along. We want to stay in a hotel and will be using public transport.

we were there 2 weekends ago...bellagio was beautiful, but we found como a little rundown and very 'full'...i would not stay there again, i'd rather opt for one of the other towns around the lake. last year we went to locarno in april - that was wayyyyyy nicer! i must admit, my expectations were pretty high so to me it was a bit of a letdown...

I don't think Bellagio, Menaggio or Como meet your requirements and from what I have seen of other parts of the lake, I don't think that they do either. With all the people and traffic, it's not the most relaxing place that I can think of. I would consider Ascona a better alternative.

I disagree if you visit one of the villages and explore the lake by boat - very relaxing. Como town i agree not really all that nice to stay.

OK then, let me take a quick poll: Bellagio or Menaggio ?

Nicky?

Bellagio, but what do I know, I just live here!

Tom

P.S. Really, Bellagio.

Menaggio is just a ferry stop for me, Como a shopping place, but Bellagio is tourist heaven!

Bellagio was my least favourite place on como - very blingy and far too touristy - but it is pretty

So you live in Bellagio?

I agree, if you leave the kids at home. I am assuming that his other kids might be young so speaking from experience, the boat rides weren't very relaxing making sure one of the kids didn't jump overboard. Hence the Ascona suggestion which has a nice big plaza along the waterfront where the kids can be free without worrying so much. Bellagio actually fits the bill in this regard but the town is a bit too touristy for my taste: it is beautiful though.

Lugano, but I know the area well, and will be passing Bellagio on Friday by motorcycle.

Tom

Varenna, opposite Belaggio/Menaggio would be my choice. Far less touristy, villa + gardens just as beautiful, beautiful lake promenade, interesting short river to see (short because it is a spring just above the lake level), good hotels/ food, a more normal 'italian' life and of course plenty possibilities to walk, e.g. along lake and take ferry back. Also easy to reach by train / or train to Bergamo.
On the other hand, all is perfectly nice along the lake.

+ 1 for Varenna for me too. Idyllic little village and not at all busy in the evenings once the day trippers leave.

[QUOTE=Kash_Z;1327939]Hi guys,

I'm planning a weekend trip to Como with my wife & kids. I've read the reviews on the forum already but am still a little undecided where exactly to go in the Como area. Can you guys help recommend?

A key factor is that my missus is pregnant and not very mobile. So, any place with gardens and places where we can go for gentle strolls, and basically spend a lazy weekend would be ideal Uncle Max's previous recommendation for Menaggio looks good for this, and also Bellagio seems to be highly rated by EFers.

Or should we just stick to Como and visit the smaller towns by boat?

Thanks


Ok, I'm going to be (uncharacteristically) kind and share with you my ultimate favourite thing ever to do on Lake Como - Go and have a lazy lunch on the beautiful island of Comacina. It is just idyllic, the food is superb (best meal since becoming an expat by quite some distance), extremely fresh produce, and the menu hasn't changed for decades, so I think they have perfected it by now! It costs 64euros per head so is quite pricey, but that includes everything inc. wine, and a little show at the end of the meal.

You get to the island by a two minute boat trip (5 euros per head) from Sala Comacina (there is parking there). You can also explore the island after the meal. There are regular ferries from there to other villages around the lake too, if you are making a full day of it. The staff are extremely friendly and good with young children too. Cannot rate this place highly enough.

http://www.comacina.it/isola.html

Also, check out the links to these villas too if you fancy strolling around a garden or two. This info is from a list I produced for mums living in the Lugano area so apologies about the stuff about toads.

Villa Carlotta - http://www.discovercomo.com/attracti...ttractionID=31 - the most well known, parking is easy, you can have access to the villa as well as the grounds. The villa contains a really romantic marble statue called Venus and Psyche which by itself gives good reason to visit the villa, it is beautiful. There is also fountain that is full of fish and toads, it kept my three year old amused for at least 35 minutes watching 'toad arguments'. Also a nice cafe there, picnic areas and beautiful scenery.

Villa Del Balbianello (Lenno) - http://www.discovercomo.com/attracti...ttractionID=30 - only the gardens are open to the public

Villa Melzi (Bellagio) - http://www.discovercomo.com/attracti...ttractionID=32 - only the gardens are open to the public

Villa Monestero (Varenna) - http://www.discovercomo.com/attracti...ttractionID=33

Thanks Jasmine. In the end the trip has been postponed all the way till the end of September: just booked the hotel today.

Thanks also for the links, and we'll probably end up visiting some of those places.

My pleasure

and good luck with your imminent arrival!

Jas

We stayed in Como over the weekend and visited Bellagio and Villa Melzi (thanks for the tip Jasmine, and everyone else for your recommendations).

Como was a bit touristic and I much preferred Bellagio: I think next time I go, I'll probably base myself out of one of the smaller towns, and not Como. I found it a little difficult to sleep because of the incredibly large number of Harleys being driven around town.

The Comacina idea sounds brill and something to do on the next trip there.

How is it for kids age range 3-14? And how long was the drive/travel?

Bellagio.I was 8 mths preggo when I went.we travelled by car though but it's a nice n relaxing place.

From where?

From here, Como's a half hour.

Tom