Italian Lakes for 2 or 3 nights - where?

Italian Lakes for 2 or 3 nights - where?

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Discussion

Harleyboy

Original Poster:

658 posts

173 months

Friday 25th April
quotequote all
Was listening to a Chris Harris podcast on the way to work where one of the chaps had joined from Como and was saying it was only 14 hours door to door. It got me thinking about doing the same.

I’ve driven to Bellagio in one hit before so know it’s doable and that was with the kids. This time it’s just my wife and I and we have July and August with no holidays planned.

Away in France in June and September so thinking the Lakes in between.

Any suggestions for a nice town/hotel to stay in? Probably not Garda cos it’s just that bit further away.

Budget is medium sized and parking a must.

What’s Maggiore like?

TIA

Edited by Harleyboy on Friday 25th April 10:50

Zio Di Roma

1,061 posts

46 months

Friday 25th April
quotequote all
Harleyboy said:
Was listening to a Chris Harris podcast on the way to work where one of the chaps had joined from Como and was saying it was only 14 hours door to door. It got me thinking about doing the same.

I’ve driven to Bellagio in one hit before so no it’s doable and that was with the kids. This time it’s just my wife and I and we have July and August with no holidays planned.

Away in France in June and September so thinking the Lakes in between.

Any suggestions for a nice town/hotel to stay in? Probably not Garda cos it’s just that bit further away.

Budget is medium sized and parking a must.

What’s Maggiore like?

TIA
It’s alright. Third on my list behind Garda and Como.


bennno

13,605 posts

283 months

Friday 25th April
quotequote all
We normally stay at Maggiore, Baveno or Stresa. Both have plenty of hotels with parking. Eg Grand Dino has a huge underground car park and is lakeside.

Como was quite overpriced and busy. We are heading to Garda again this year, Sirmione is stunning and we are going for when the Mile Miliga runs through the town.

Gnevans

511 posts

136 months

Friday 25th April
quotequote all
We have preferred Maggiore over the other lakes. We have stayed at Villa Aminta which is now pretty pricey. There are plenty of alternatives on booking.com

Somebody

1,407 posts

97 months

Friday 25th April
quotequote all
Another vote for Sirmione.

Bill

55,528 posts

269 months

Friday 25th April
quotequote all
We also like Maggiore, but had a lovely day round Orta as well and would happily go back.

981Boxess

11,724 posts

272 months

Friday 25th April
quotequote all
Harleyboy said:
This time it’s just my wife and I and we have July and August with no holidays planned.
If I had to go to Italy in July or August July would be my first choice, it will be packed in August.

Zio Di Roma

1,061 posts

46 months

Friday 25th April
quotequote all
On Garda I quite like Bardolino and Malcesine. Though the latter can be busy.

Harleyboy

Original Poster:

658 posts

173 months

Friday 25th April
quotequote all
Thanks everyone. Garda might be a little far. But the other options will be worth a look. If I recall correctly Sirmione is not great for cars and I’ll be a little precious about it so that may be out.

Will focus on July to avoid the worst of the crowds and focus on Maggiore I think

Anyway, nice dilemma to have

CLK-GTR

1,440 posts

259 months

Friday 25th April
quotequote all
Como City is 11 hours from Calais on a good run. It's a long day but doable.

I'd look at the top end of Como up towards Dongo and Colico or even into the Sondrio valley, less expensive and every bit as nice as the Bellagio triangle. Add an hour or two to your journey.

July or August won't make much difference to how busy it is. June to September is heaving nowadays.

981Boxess

11,724 posts

272 months

Friday 25th April
quotequote all
CLK-GTR said:
July or August won't make much difference to how busy it is.
Ferragosto makes a big difference to August

CLK-GTR

1,440 posts

259 months

Saturday 26th April
quotequote all
981Boxess said:
Ferragosto makes a big difference to August
Not since Covid. Just depends whether you prefer Italian tourists or foreign tourists. July or August is equally busy.

Griffith4ever

5,486 posts

49 months

Saturday 26th April
quotequote all
Maggiore is a great 1st lake with a lovely 3 island boat trip. Garda is the best all rounder.

IF you don't want to frazzle yourself, then an evening and night in Starsbourg is perfect on that route (Belgium/Lug/Ger/Fr)

981Boxess

11,724 posts

272 months

Saturday 26th April
quotequote all
CLK-GTR said:
981Boxess said:
Ferragosto makes a big difference to August
Not since Covid. Just depends whether you prefer Italian tourists or foreign tourists. July or August is equally busy.
Interesting because I have family who live by the lakes and I have been going there for decades and August has always been chaos both before and after covid.

To be fair I would not go to the lakes in July or August by choice, but if those are the only options the OP has I know which I would pick.

CLK-GTR

1,440 posts

259 months

Saturday 26th April
quotequote all
981Boxess said:
Interesting because I have family who live by the lakes and I have been going there for decades and August has always been chaos both before and after covid.

To be fair I would not go to the lakes in July or August by choice, but if those are the only options the OP has I know which I would pick.
I lived there for 6 years. Covid changed things, the crowds come end of June and don't leave until September now.

981Boxess

11,724 posts

272 months

Saturday 26th April
quotequote all
CLK-GTR said:
I lived there for 6 years. Covid changed things, the crowds come end of June and don't leave until September now.
September is when we are going, not too hot, not too busy - perfect for us.

bennno

13,605 posts

283 months

Saturday 26th April
quotequote all
Griffith4ever said:
Maggiore is a great 1st lake with a lovely 3 island boat trip. Garda is the best all rounder.

IF you don't want to frazzle yourself, then an evening and night in Starsbourg is perfect on that route (Belgium/Lug/Ger/Fr)
Riqwihr is magic, or colmar.

Voldemort

6,823 posts

292 months

Saturday 26th April
quotequote all
Lake Como. Specifically Varrena, and even more specifically, here: https://www.royalvictoria.com/en

Zio Di Roma

1,061 posts

46 months

Saturday 26th April
quotequote all
Voldemort said:
Lake Como. Specifically Varrena, and even more specifically, here: https://www.royalvictoria.com/en
I am fairly sure I spent my honeymoon there.

Harleyboy

Original Poster:

658 posts

173 months

Saturday 26th April
quotequote all
Evening all, thanks for the further thoughts. July or August are my only times really. Away in June and September and fancy a break in between. I guess everywhere will be busy July and August but we’re talking a short fun driving break. Provence in September is the easier road trip and relaxation time.

We’ve stayed in Como and Garda and loved both. Open to other suggestions - maybe somewhere in the Alps although I’m in a cycling trip to Alpe d’Huez end of August and the lakes took my fancy.

There are a few nice looking (if a little chintzy)hotels on Maggiore that could work.

Really, I just want to drive my car, roof down on some nice roads with some epic scenery. Even if it’s only at 30 in traffic!

Or we go to Northumberland but it doesn’t quite have the same pull!