Lake Como Italy, any one been?
Discussion
Trying to decide on this years holidays, last year we went to Corsica and had a fantastic time. This year we half fancy flying to Greece and vegetating on a beach for a few days but the thought of another 2500-3000km road trip is really exciting. We saw a bit of lake Como in Italy and now Julie's a bit smitten.
Any one been there and any thoughts?
Any one been there and any thoughts?
Took a car, but stayed at Gravedona (top end of Como), then went on to Sirmione at the bottom end of Lake Garda, we weren't lucky with the weather at Como but by the time we got to Garda it cleared up. That was 2010
We've managed to visit Lake Garda every year since getting in other bits of Italy too, although after Top Gear last night feel we should give the scenery of Como another go
We've managed to visit Lake Garda every year since getting in other bits of Italy too, although after Top Gear last night feel we should give the scenery of Como another go
On a road trip some years ago I stayed in a Villa with some friends of friends before carrying on up North. Was the typical terracotta affair built on a hill. Drank crap wine and watched the clouds hover above the lake.
I can't remember where it was sadly but I think it was the South. A small village with a clock tower, very set up for renting the villas out though. Quite modern, very very cheap considering it had been so modernised inside.
I can't remember where it was sadly but I think it was the South. A small village with a clock tower, very set up for renting the villas out though. Quite modern, very very cheap considering it had been so modernised inside.
Loadsa traffic. Roads are pretty, good for cruising and looking at the views but not really for scratching.
On the plus points. I've forgotten which lake of the 3 it is but there is a motorway down the side of one of them that has 100m of tunnel followed by 100m outside followed by 100mm of tunnel etc ad infinitum. At mad Italian motorway speeds it's like something out of Tron / THX1138. It keeps you amused for 15 mins. You could book a factory tour at MV at Varese as well.
On the plus points. I've forgotten which lake of the 3 it is but there is a motorway down the side of one of them that has 100m of tunnel followed by 100m outside followed by 100mm of tunnel etc ad infinitum. At mad Italian motorway speeds it's like something out of Tron / THX1138. It keeps you amused for 15 mins. You could book a factory tour at MV at Varese as well.
Nursy and I had an apartment up a hill next to Como a couple of years back, it was about 5 mins from Clooney's pad and just down the road from the villa used as Bond's recovery clinic (and the bad guy's pad although it was CGI'd to look more impressive) in Casino Royale/ some scenes in one of the Star Wars films.
The road along the lakeside was busy whenever you didn't want it to be and the Plodizei were always about.
The best bit was heading northeast from Como to Stelvio, but even that wasn't all it's cracked up to be because Top Gear obviously gets the road closed for them. In the real world you don't get it to yourself.
The road along the lakeside was busy whenever you didn't want it to be and the Plodizei were always about.
The best bit was heading northeast from Como to Stelvio, but even that wasn't all it's cracked up to be because Top Gear obviously gets the road closed for them. In the real world you don't get it to yourself.
My mate has been there on holidays for the past few years, taking a Mercedes R129 SL320 and an R230 SL500, doing Lake Como, Garda and Stelvio Pass. He has greatly enjoyed it, though this year he is touring Holland and Germany on a BMW K1300S, so I expect it will be a slightly more exciting trip this time!
Hooli said:
We rode down the side of Lake Como in 2012, hellish traffic but lovely looking place.
Snap except in 2013. Was the end of a long (too long!) days riding so I didn't enjoy plodding along in the traffic very much.Sure there are great roads nearby and the scenery is stunning.
Just so you don't get a massive anti-climax we did, Stelvio peak is full of ze Germans on their BMW 1200 GSs. Further down you will be held up on horrible switchbacks by massive campervans. The route from the South to Stelvio is much more enjoyable as a driver's road.
That said, the view from the top looking down onto the road was stunning. The locals friendly, even the campervans will move over for you. It's just one of those things you have to do.
That said, the view from the top looking down onto the road was stunning. The locals friendly, even the campervans will move over for you. It's just one of those things you have to do.
Edited by Prof Prolapse on Tuesday 11th February 08:39
Prof Prolapse said:
Just so you don't get a massive anti-climax we did, Stelvio peak is full of ze Germans on their BMW 1200 GSs. Further down you will be held up on horrible switchbacks by massive campervans.
Can only agree with this sentiment. We did it last year as it's a "bucket list" item for many people but it was disappointing overall. I've driven much better, little-known, mountain roads.And don't eat the bratwurst from the stalls at the top either….
Over the years we have stayed in Villa D'Este (Damned expensive, but very good) and for short stays Hotel Villa Serbelloni. however there are lots of small villages all around the lake with excellent reasonably priced hotels.
If you want to earn some Browny points book a table at the restaurant Locanda Dell'Isola Comacina. a little boat picks you up in Comacina and takes you out to the island. Very reasonably priced!
Will be back there in August this year.
If you want to earn some Browny points book a table at the restaurant Locanda Dell'Isola Comacina. a little boat picks you up in Comacina and takes you out to the island. Very reasonably priced!
Will be back there in August this year.
crossy67 said:
What time of year was that John? We'd be in the same position, aiming to get there in two days (camping). We'd be going end of May.
End of July. It was rather warm down by the lakes and in the valleys. I was nice and moist in my leathers. Funnily enough the locals didn't seem to wear such attire. Fine once you get halfway up a mountain.Was a cracking trip. Best road trip I've ever done. Only thing we did wrong was try to do too many miles each day (we backed it right down after the first day!). If you're based in one spot for a few nights this should be less of an issue. We were riding between different hotels.
We found Stelvio pretty decent. There was traffic but it wasn't as bad as I feared. The Fuka (sp?) was better. The whole place is filled with good 'uns though.
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