Como vs. Lugano
Jul 7, 2004 | 11:00 am
#1
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Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Oceanside, NY USA
Posts: 1,128
Como vs. Lugano
We are looking to spend two nights at either Lake Como or Lake Lugano to conclude our holiday. Prior to that, we are staying in Vienna (3 nights), Venice (3 nights) and Lake Garda (Desenzso/Sirmione) for two nights.
Our flight home departs at noon from Malpensa, so I'm guessing either Como or Lugano would work well. Which is the preferable location.
Our flight home departs at noon from Malpensa, so I'm guessing either Como or Lugano would work well. Which is the preferable location.
Jul 7, 2004 | 12:08 pm
#2
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 55,213
Originally Posted by glenngpr
We are looking to spend two nights at either Lake Como or Lake Lugano to conclude our holiday. Prior to that, we are staying in Vienna (3 nights), Venice (3 nights) and Lake Garda (Desenzso/Sirmione) for two nights.
Our flight home departs at noon from Malpensa, so I'm guessing either Como or Lugano would work well. Which is the preferable location.
Our flight home departs at noon from Malpensa, so I'm guessing either Como or Lugano would work well. Which is the preferable location.
Jul 7, 2004 | 12:10 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: From and of Boston.
Posts: 4,973
They're both pleasant enough spots. Como struck me as the more tourist-centric of the two, with Lugano having a touristic section (the Lido) and a city-center section that wasn't focused mostly on tourists and tourism.
The two cities reflect their respective cultures: Como is a northern Italian city, with virtually everyone ultra-careful about their appearance and that amazing Italian capability of being intense and relaxed at the same time. Lugano reflects the impossible mix of cultures that you find in Ticino, the Italian-speaking province of Switzerland.
My opinion was that Como has Lugano beat for interesting restaurants and intangible charm (but that's surely a reflection of the respective cuisines - Italian/Swiss), while Lugano wins on all other counts, especially upscale-ness. You can make a case for going to either one; if I were taking 10 trips to the area choosing one or the other, I'd take Lugano for 7 or 8 of the trips, and Como the other 2 or 3.
The two cities reflect their respective cultures: Como is a northern Italian city, with virtually everyone ultra-careful about their appearance and that amazing Italian capability of being intense and relaxed at the same time. Lugano reflects the impossible mix of cultures that you find in Ticino, the Italian-speaking province of Switzerland.
My opinion was that Como has Lugano beat for interesting restaurants and intangible charm (but that's surely a reflection of the respective cuisines - Italian/Swiss), while Lugano wins on all other counts, especially upscale-ness. You can make a case for going to either one; if I were taking 10 trips to the area choosing one or the other, I'd take Lugano for 7 or 8 of the trips, and Como the other 2 or 3.
Jul 7, 2004 | 4:04 pm
#4
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I fully agree with with wideman. Both cities are nice although if you travel by train, Lugano might be more convenient, coggle wheel car between the station and the center. Another little train will bring you to Monte Br, the sugar loaf of Lugano. Almost across from the Cartier shop there is a fabulous little caf that serves some of the nicest pastries ever.
The big advantage, there are either direct buses to Malpensa Airport or almost every hour a train to Milan.
The big advantage, there are either direct buses to Malpensa Airport or almost every hour a train to Milan.
Jul 9, 2004 | 12:40 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Naples, Florida
Posts: 7,419
Originally Posted by magexpect
I fully agree with with wideman. Both cities are nice although if you travel by train, Lugano might be more convenient, coggle wheel car between the station and the center. Another little train will bring you to Monte Br, the sugar loaf of Lugano. Almost across from the Cartier shop there is a fabulous little caf that serves some of the nicest pastries ever.
The big advantage, there are either direct buses to Malpensa Airport or almost every hour a train to Milan.
The big advantage, there are either direct buses to Malpensa Airport or almost every hour a train to Milan.
If he has a car, and I think he has, I would add Ascona and Bellagio (recommended by ILoveEFD)
I have been in Desenzano (near Sirmione), and stayed twice in the Park Hotel, nice and not too expensive. Desenzano is (quite) nice, and you need a car to see the surroundings. And Verona!!!
This is a nice restaurant in Valeggio sul Mincio
Antica Locanda Mincio
Service on the shaded terrace in summer beside the river
In one of the warm "historical establishments in Italy", enchanting period style interiors and a shaded terrace on the banks of the river for service in summer; land and fresh water fish dishes.
via Buonarroti 12
I - 37067 Borghetto
Telephone: 045 7950059
Fax: 045 6370455
Service on the shaded terrace in summer beside the river
In one of the warm "historical establishments in Italy", enchanting period style interiors and a shaded terrace on the banks of the river for service in summer; land and fresh water fish dishes.
via Buonarroti 12
I - 37067 Borghetto
Telephone: 045 7950059
Fax: 045 6370455
Jul 9, 2004 | 1:04 pm
#7
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I go to Lugano two or three times a year (mainly because my girlfriend has a villa there) and I love the city. Como, to tell the truth, doesn't do too much for me -- although its weekly bazaar is fascinating.
Just avoid the casino in Lugano - B O R I N G - but the nearby one at Campione d'Italia is definitely worth a visit. You can get there by car or by boat.
Just avoid the casino in Lugano - B O R I N G - but the nearby one at Campione d'Italia is definitely worth a visit. You can get there by car or by boat.
Jul 9, 2004 | 8:05 pm
#9
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Vienna-Venice is 9 hours by train. A second class ticket costs $99 and a first class ticket $113.
On the other hand, if you fly Austrian Airlines you can buy tickets for as little as Euro 99 (depending on how far in advance you purchase, if you have a Saturday night stay, etc.)
On the other hand, if you fly Austrian Airlines you can buy tickets for as little as Euro 99 (depending on how far in advance you purchase, if you have a Saturday night stay, etc.)
Jul 10, 2004 | 7:19 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: MCI
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I haven't been to Como but here are our observations from a trip to Lugano in October, 2002, with lots of pictures that make me want to go back.
http://www.craftpeople.com/Lugano%20Up/lugano.html
It was pretty quiet- we just enjoyed the scenery and the atmosphere. I remember LOTS of jewelry stores with delectable merchandise and a few of the fabled Swiss banks. The slightly drab-looking church next to our hotel that had an inside festoooned with beautiful frescoes by one of Da Vinci's students was one of those wonderful travel surprises.
There's also a bus to MXP from Lugano. We didn't take that- the scenery from the train was memorable.
http://www.craftpeople.com/Lugano%20Up/lugano.html
It was pretty quiet- we just enjoyed the scenery and the atmosphere. I remember LOTS of jewelry stores with delectable merchandise and a few of the fabled Swiss banks. The slightly drab-looking church next to our hotel that had an inside festoooned with beautiful frescoes by one of Da Vinci's students was one of those wonderful travel surprises.
There's also a bus to MXP from Lugano. We didn't take that- the scenery from the train was memorable.
Jul 10, 2004 | 5:23 pm
#11
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Location: Oceanside, NY USA
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Originally Posted by Dovster
Vienna-Venice is 9 hours by train. A second class ticket costs $99 and a first class ticket $113.
On the other hand, if you fly Austrian Airlines you can buy tickets for as little as Euro 99 (depending on how far in advance you purchase, if you have a Saturday night stay, etc.)
On the other hand, if you fly Austrian Airlines you can buy tickets for as little as Euro 99 (depending on how far in advance you purchase, if you have a Saturday night stay, etc.)
I assume your talking about RT airfare. We are only traveling one-way.