I’m always nervous to try a new place. Can anyone give me a place in the Italian Lakes to go to?

[NaturalBlondeYeahRight]

I feel overwhelmed when I look online. I love being able to leave a hotel and wander around shops/restaurants/bars without boats and ferries. I love pretty towns. Is it a long way to get from airport? Probably won’t hire a car. If anyone can give me a stating point as I truly know nothing about Italy but really want to go this August.

I love Stresa on Lake Maggiore - gorgeous gardens and walks around the lake

Malcesine is lovely

Italy in August is not the best time for a first trip. I know because I live here. If you can delay to the end of August or beginning of September it’s much nicer.

I live near 2 of the 3 main lakes. Where you go depends on your budget and what exactly you want to do.

Lake Maggiore has Stresa, but I would stay further down at Arona. You can still get boats to visit the rest of the lake (right up to Switzerland) and the islands, plus there is a bus to Stresa if you prefer the road route. Stresa is overtouristed IMO, and because of that overpriced. If your budget does stretch to it, stay in one of the Grand Hotels for that Belle Epoque experience. There are lots of charming villages dotted about but whilst some have railway stations, for most you’ll need a car or to use the buses.

Lake Como has Como, also other gems such as Bellagio, Tremezzo, Varenna, plus at the top of the lake there are places like Colico which are more sporty. To get from place to place it’s easier on the boats, or there are buses. Bellagio is a bit like Stresa, super touristy, worth a visit, but probably better not to stay there. As with Maggiore there are lots of pretty places en route, but I’m not entirely sure how accessible on public transport.

Garda has a lot of very different places. I used to sail and surf so only really frequented Riva del Garda and Torbole, which were geared to watersports. However, I had a friend who lived at Limone sul Garda, which was a charming town. Also not far from Verona. At the bottom of the lake is Desenzano, also Sirmione (amazing, but also very touristy - I read they were introducing controls on numbers). Sirmione also has thermal baths and many hotels nearby are geared to this.

For Maggiore and Como the nearest airport is Milan Malpensa, for Garda Verona or Venezia. Although you can also get there from Milan and trains, it’s only about an hour and a half on the fast train to Desenzano, then there are buses to some of the towns. Sorry, not very au fait with the public transport as usually travel by car if not on a direct train line.

Lake Maggiore (quieter than Lake Como). If you want bigger town, try something like Lugano (it is on the Swiss side though). Or Varese on the Italian side.

Stress is lovely. Como Town would meet your brief, but the lakes have a strong micro climate, my advice as per a pp would be to delay to September.If you can.

I stayed in a little place called Lierna on Como, there’s restaurants and a shop there and a swimming beach, so peaceful but it also has a train station so easy access to and from. We had a motorcycle so was the perfect base

I like Riva, Limone and Malcesine on Lake Garda, but there’s nowhere there that I dislike. They are all stunning.

I vote for Stresa and a visit to the Borromean Islands. In general, the lakes are a gorgeous part of the world and well worth a visit just for the scenery.

Stresa and especially Hotel La Palma which has a sky bar and gorgeous views over the lake. Lots of boat trips to the islands and up the lake. Easy transfer from Milan.

Salo on Lake Garda is beautiful. Depending on flight times, you could fly to Verona, take the train to Desenzano and then take the passenger boat from there to Salo. Taxi from the airport another option to make that easier and I might be inclined to stay at the airport the night before returning to make it easier.

The North of Lake Garda (Malcesine, Riva, Limone) is beautiful (quite mountainous, which means the weather can be more temperamental in August) and you could easily book a package with transfer if you wished. The South of the lake (Desenzano, Sirmione, Garda and Bardolino - nearer the airport and also easier for transfers) is less hilly and more Mediterranean in climate. Salo is on the Western shore, Garda and Bardolino on the Eastern side. Also beautiful but less mountainous, and you can always take the boat or a bus north (but boat lovely and very regular).

I worked as a rep there many years ago and keep meaning to return with my children but keep being put off by flight prices. No need for a car once there, which is a big bonus and if it was just me, I’d be there like a shot!

DD is currently in Bellagio. It's very stormy! That aside she trained up from Bologna via Milan and Como, then bused. The scenery is spectacular, she has swum in the lake, and is busing and walking to other towns. She's not a great boat person tbh. Her only comment so far was that the food is not great, very touristy. But then she has come from Bologna, so not surprising the difference.

Thanks for all this info, lots to work with. I’m hoping to taxi from airport to a hotel and then just potter around on foot/ferry. Budget is decent, I don’t mind the different weather - I’m not a full on med in August person. Not sporty so not worried about that side of things. Just want to explore somewhere new. I’m stuck with summer holidays unfortunately but don’t mind ‘busy’
love the idea of people watching at bars with a spritz in hand. Hate hotels that are stuck out in the middle of nowhere. Love waterside promenades.

https://www.safduemila.com/linee/alibus-malpensa-lago-maggiore/

There is a shuttle bus between Milan Malpensa and Lake Maggiore. Very reasonable price and ran on time.

Fly to Verona, pre-book transfers to Bardolino. No need to use buses or ferries if you don’t want to, fantastic town, harbour and views.

Walking distance to Garda town, Cisano and Lazise.

Agree with Stresa on Lake Maggiore. There are gardens, boat trips, mini zoo, islands etc to visit, nice town centre with small restaurants and square. Not as busy than Lake Garda. Less than an hour from Milan.

Pescheria on the southern part of Lake Garda. Highly recommend it and it’s well located to see local towns such as sirmione and desenzano. We loved it there

Ryanair flies from a whole bunch of places to Bergamo, which is worth a night or two on its own before setting off for Lake Como or the lesser-known Iseo.

Bergamot used to be so easy to Milan by coach, then onwards.