Bergamo/Milan - places to eat and The Lakes?

[johnfm]

Posting in the lounge so people see this before 'solitary confinement' in holiday and travel!

Right, very last minute booked flights to Bergamo. Booked Hotel in Bergamo near train station.

Need to go through tripadvisor guide etc, but anyone been and got any good restaurant/must do/must see recommendations?

Would like to get out to one of the lakes for lunch. Prob get train to Milan for a day/evening too.

Over to you!

[sleep envy]

sorry to tell you but Milan will be dead at this time of year - August shutdown until the last week of the month

[Lastinclass]

Milan will be very quiet at the moment - August! If you've never been before you'll have to go for a day though. Como is great for a day out.
Bergamo is great, funicular up to the old town. I've eaten in a few places, never found an outstanding one or a bad one! Just avoid the shopping mall near the airport if you want your wallet to stay intact!!!!

[krusty]

National Holiday this weekend as well so all the stuff that 'may' have been open will be shut as well.

[PGM]

Couple of excellent restaurants up in Bergamo old town I've been to, but can't remember names unfortunately. I just turned up and went in. One of them was very busy all the time so you may have to wait in one of the many bars there while a table becomes available!

Edited to add, brush up on your basic Italian, not much English speaking there.

Edited by PGM on Friday 14th August 09:59

[johnfm]

Not too bothered about Milan being 'closed' as long as the restaurants are open!

Not to keen on the lack of English - I speak a modicum of Spanish, but no Italian.

Keen on the Lakes, TBH. So will head to the nearest.

[sleep envy]

johnfm said:

Not too bothered about Milan being 'closed' as long as the restaurants are open!

unlikely that most of them will be open

[Stablelad]

Go to Lake Como. It's the most beautiful (and yes I'm biased...see profile!)

Train to Lecco (1 hour) then another to Varenna (20 minutes). Eat in The Lido at the front and absorb the atmosphere of one of The World's most fantastic places. Wave to our Apartment!....we miss it badly

Edited by Stablelad on Friday 14th August 10:15

[johnfm]

sleep envy said:

johnfm said:

Not too bothered about Milan being 'closed' as long as the restaurants are open!

unlikely that most of them will be open

Where were you yesterday when I posted two days ago......


So, do I need to pack a picnic?

[sleep envy]

up a roof playing with bitumen

no, it won't be desolate so packed lunches aren't needed but just don't expect every restaurant to be open

the tourist sites will be extremely busy and just be mindful when you travel about - everyone else will be on the roads too

[Stablelad]

sleep envy said:

the tourist sites will be extremely busy and just be mindful when you travel about - everyone else will be on the roads too

Train! Cheap as chips too. Not worth driving if based in Bergamo....mega-hassle at this time of year as you say Fella.

[johnfm]

Stablelad said:

sleep envy said:

the tourist sites will be extremely busy and just be mindful when you travel about - everyone else will be on the roads too

Train! Cheap as chips too. Not worth driving if based in Bergamo....mega-hassle at this time of year as you say Fella.

Will not be hiring a car.

For the £180 for two day car ire, we can catch trains and cabs.


Lake Como sounds like the place to be!

[johnfm]

Scooter hire worth doing to pootle around Lake Como?

[sleep envy]

johnfm said:

Scooter hire worth doing to pootle around Lake Como?

have you any idea how big the lake is?

it's over 140km2

[johnfm]

Yes, I want to go the 55 km from Bergamo to Varenna, then maybe ride down to Lecco, and ride across to Bellagio.

Looks beautiful.

[johnfm]

Any idea if the villas are all private, or can you visit some of them?

[FWDRacer]

Bellagio is recommended - Beautiful little place. Take plenty of Euros.

[patmahe]

Como, the town and the lake are beautiful, theres a market there, can't remember what days and its nice for a stroll around. Views are awesome, I went on a package tour, but plan to go back some day as part of a driving holiday

[johnfm]

Looks brilliant. Just need to sort a scooter or car. Like the idea of a scooter . it will be 30 degrees+ over the weekend!

[Stablelad]

johnfm said:

Yes, I want to go the 55 km from Bergamo to Varenna, then maybe ride down to Lecco, and ride across to Bellagio.

Looks beautiful.

John,

The road from Bergamo to Lecco is pants and mostly passes industrial estates. Your time would be better served taking the train to Varenna and using the ferries to/from Bellagio and Menaggio after lunch. Maybe stop at Mandello De Lario on the return and do the Moto Guzzi museum (open for 1-2 hours per day).

Just a thought!