Lake Como Italy

Travelled: 204km Como, 14km to and from Lake Como

Stay: Near Como- free parking at playground in a quiet area  N45.7859 E9.0673

Yesterday our destination was Milan. We had driven along the autoroute paying a few tolls adding up to about €16 and parked in a sosta 20km from Milan central in Saronna. Unfortunately when we arrived at the train station we were told that there was a strike on until 9pm tonight! We discussed several possibilities and decided that as only Tom had not seen Milan we would continue on towards Como. Here we found a very quiet parking in the shade with a playground.

 It was a perfect place to relax and unwind, readying ourselves for the next day on Lake Como.

We got organised early as we needed to park (€1/hr) closer to the lake to catch a ferry. 

We decided that we would get the all day ticket at €26 each enabling us to hop on and off. We also bought a supplementary ticket €4.50ea to travel on the fast boat to Bellagio (45min vs 2.5hrs). 

The weather was perfect and we waved to George Clooney as we sailed passed Laglio. 

Bellagio is one of the most attractive villages and is found in the ‘crutch’ of the Lake where it divides into two branches. 

We strolled along the narrow cobbled streets admiring the views and the pretty buildings. We enjoyed a cappuccino standing up at the bar before making our way out to the lookout. 

Then it was on to the 11:30 ferry to Varenna situated on the eastern shore. Here we found a table overlooking the lake under some trees and enjoyed a reasonably priced lunch.

 Later the boys had a refreshing swim in Lake Como as we explored the village.

Menaggio, on the western shore, is the third town to complete the triangle, so we hopped on to the 2:30pm ferry. This was a bigger town than the other 2 but had a lovely main square where we bought some delicious gelato. We strolled up to the church and then along the promenade on the waters edge.

 

We then returned to Bellagio to learn that the next fast boat back to Como was sold out and the next available was at 6.40pm. Take note- buy your return tickets early! 

While we waited we explored the shops under the arcades.

So we waited it out in a shady spot in the park and then had to unfortunately wait an extra 30mins as the ferry was delayed. Luckily it was a 30min journey to Como but a late one. We had a quick bite to eat and a look at the Duomo before walking back to the motorhomes.  

We decided that we needed to go to use a service point (€4) nearby and then return to last nights spot for a much needed quiet nights sleep.