Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is another vote for Varenna. It's less crowded by far than Bellagio and is very charming. Recommend you rent a car which makes it easier to explore, which can easily be taken on the ferry across to Bellagio. Drive down from Bellagio towards Como (the town), stopping at Villa Carlotte, Villa d'Este etc. At Villa D'Este, you need a reservation to eat to get in (make one for the bar which has a beautiful patio on the water).

We were there in August, so obviously peak of peak. Yes Varenna was less crowded than Bellagio, which no joke felt a bit like Times Square, but it was still VERY crowded. Also, driving a car onto the ferry there during the peak times will require a LOT of patience, sitting not moving for long periods of time, crawling through hordes of people walking, etc. That looked like a pretty awful experience from someone who took the ferry just as a foot passenger.

I took a bus around the lake, to where I was staying. Then ferried around to villas and towns on the lane.

A town I liked—though popular—was Varenna.

I stayed in this charming hotel in Tremezzo, right across the road from the lake.

https://www.hotelvillamarie.com/en/home/

It is probably less fancy than what you seek, but the views from the rooftop are spectacular. It is very affordable, and within walking distance of a historic villa with spectacular gardens. From here, you can take the ferry to Varenna (and other more crowded towns on the lake).

A very different experience would be staying on Lake Annecy in France. But that has more activities for teens.

We were there about 13 years ago in June/July.

Drove from Munich to Lake Como. Stayed in Menaggio, right next (I mean right next) to the church in the heart of downtown (bells rang all day long, but we got used to it) in an apartment. It was a great location, we had two young kids at the time and definitely took our time as there were naps involved. We found the area relaxed and laid back.

We rented through these people: https://www.happy.rentals/property.php. They were very helpful and responsive, helped us with directions back to Munich through Lucerne so we could see that.

We obviously had a car, which was difficult to park. Ended up finding a public spot, parking it and leaving it for the entirety of our stay. Perhaps if you have your own villa/house there will be parking on site. Took the ferry to Ravenna, Bellagio, Varenna, etc. Great food, friendly people and a memorable vacation. Cute town square which was very busy at night, and Menaggio was very walkable.

There is a swimming pool inside of a "resort" type thing and you pay an entry fee - you have to wear a cap to swim which was a different kind of thing for us Americans (they are 1Euro each so no big deal). There is also a public beach which was mostly unused (and free), but I will say even in the summer, the Lake is freezing. I think someone said "You can tell who's German, they are the only ones swimming." One note as Americans - the grocery store (and most shops) do close "for a break" maybe 1-3 every day. You'll need to plan around that. Or, take a nap as the Italians do

You should definitely combine with another destination - we did Como and Milan one year, and then after that we flew into Verona and did Garda and Dolomites and it was breathtaking. For Como and Milan I don't think you need a car, we stayed in Varenna and also found Bellagio too crowded.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lake Garda has all of the above and is less crowded than Como

Shhhh

Oh the Germans discovered Lago di Garda YEARS ago! But yes, Garda is absolutely beautiful with a lot of amazing towns. You also are also at the gateway of the Dolomiti with some gorgeous mountain hiking in the area. Also close to the Valpolicella Valley with great wine. Don't miss the Amarone.

My father was born and raised in Verona and named after one of the mountains in this region - so I visit often and it never disappoints.

I found Varenna more crowded than Bellagio. But it was still a lot of fun to take the ferries around. I took the train there (no need to drive)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is another vote for Varenna. It's less crowded by far than Bellagio and is very charming. Recommend you rent a car which makes it easier to explore, which can easily be taken on the ferry across to Bellagio. Drive down from Bellagio towards Como (the town), stopping at Villa Carlotte, Villa d'Este etc. At Villa D'Este, you need a reservation to eat to get in (make one for the bar which has a beautiful patio on the water).

We were there in August, so obviously peak of peak. Yes Varenna was less crowded than Bellagio, which no joke felt a bit like Times Square, but it was still VERY crowded. Also, driving a car onto the ferry there during the peak times will require a LOT of patience, sitting not moving for long periods of time, crawling through hordes of people walking, etc. That looked like a pretty awful experience from someone who took the ferry just as a foot passenger.

I am the Varenna PP. I was also there in August and I guess had a different experience. Driving onto the ferry was very easy and one can leave the car and sit with everyone else upstairs.

Glad to hear it- may have been different time of day, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is another vote for Varenna. It's less crowded by far than Bellagio and is very charming. Recommend you rent a car which makes it easier to explore, which can easily be taken on the ferry across to Bellagio. Drive down from Bellagio towards Como (the town), stopping at Villa Carlotte, Villa d'Este etc. At Villa D'Este, you need a reservation to eat to get in (make one for the bar which has a beautiful patio on the water).

We were there in August, so obviously peak of peak. Yes Varenna was less crowded than Bellagio, which no joke felt a bit like Times Square, but it was still VERY crowded. Also, driving a car onto the ferry there during the peak times will require a LOT of patience, sitting not moving for long periods of time, crawling through hordes of people walking, etc. That looked like a pretty awful experience from someone who took the ferry just as a foot passenger.

I am the Varenna PP. I was also there in August and I guess had a different experience. Driving onto the ferry was very easy and one can leave the car and sit with everyone else upstairs.

Anonymous wrote:Here is another vote for Varenna. It's less crowded by far than Bellagio and is very charming. Recommend you rent a car which makes it easier to explore, which can easily be taken on the ferry across to Bellagio. Drive down from Bellagio towards Como (the town), stopping at Villa Carlotte, Villa d'Este etc. At Villa D'Este, you need a reservation to eat to get in (make one for the bar which has a beautiful patio on the water).

We were there in August, so obviously peak of peak. Yes Varenna was less crowded than Bellagio, which no joke felt a bit like Times Square, but it was still VERY crowded. Also, driving a car onto the ferry there during the peak times will require a LOT of patience, sitting not moving for long periods of time, crawling through hordes of people walking, etc. That looked like a pretty awful experience from someone who took the ferry just as a foot passenger.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lake Garda has all of the above and is less crowded than Como

Shhhh

Here is another vote for Varenna. It's less crowded by far than Bellagio and is very charming. Recommend you rent a car which makes it easier to explore, which can easily be taken on the ferry across to Bellagio. Drive down from Bellagio towards Como (the town), stopping at Villa Carlotte, Villa d'Este etc. At Villa D'Este, you need a reservation to eat to get in (make one for the bar which has a beautiful patio on the water).

I mean, if what he's looking for is beautiful and out of the way, he can find it on Lake Como, but it's key that he look beyond the major towns. You will probably need to rent a car to get to somewhere less crowded.

My college son went with friends last spring and as a combined trip with Milan had a great time (they were studying in Florence). The off season meant no crowds, and they loved the hiking, biking, boating, meals, etc. I wouldn’t worry about finding enough to do, but I would worry about crowd levels. (After many lovely trips to Paris, my last one was negatively affected by the tremendous crowds everywhere we turned. It can break a trip, IMO.)