Italian Lakes
 

My partner and I are travelling to the Lakes area next year for 1/2 weeks.

We are not looking for gay accommodation, but would like any advise you can give on where to stay i.e. which Lake, and any tips on accommodation costing between Euro150 to Euro200 per night, maybe rent an apartment?

And has anyone been to the Portofino area - again your advise for where to stay is most welcome.

:rolleyes:

In the Portofino area, we stayed at the Excelsior Palace in Rapallo. Lots of old world charm with waterfront access, but pricey. The view of the Med Sea and Ligurian coast was fantastic. The towns of Rapallo and Santa Margherita are within 10 kms of Portofino, with many more hotels at various price points.

I would recommend the Grand Hotel Tremezzo Palace on Lake Como - directly accross from Bellagio. I'm not sure what rate it may be currently. It may be a little steep in price, though the link below says from 220 Euros. Absolutely gorgeous views and right next to the ferry which will take you to various places around the lake. Just a beautiful hotel.
http://www.initaly.com/agri/hotels/t...o/tremezzo.htm (click on "photo album")

Another place that I want to return to some day for a week, with a stack of books and sit and watch the spectacular scenery is the Hotel Aniro on the side of the mountain, in Castagnola, right next to Lugano. This is a very basic, reasonably priced hotel with a pool and some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. Sorry, I do not have a website, but Google should turn up something.

Your post isn't clear on how much time - 1/2 week or 1 1/2 weeks? If the latter, I would recommend renting a car, driving and staying in 2 or 3 places - Como, Lugano, Maggiore, etc.

Lake Como
 

I love Lake Como! The town of Como is a fine place to stay for the first time, but I would probably stay at one of the smaller places around the lake when I return. Sorry, I don't know about Portofino, but I agree that Tremezzo looks very nice as well as other small towns. Let us know where you end up staying... and have a great time! :)

I just got back from Italy and thought Bellagio (Lake Como) was great. Not overrun by tourists as I had expected. Not a lot to do there, though, but enjoy the beauty of the lake.

I'm going to move this to TravelBuzz since it would probably get more responses there.

peteropny - co-moderator

Another vote for Lake Como (or Lago Di Como). Stunningly scenic, breathtaking, and relaxing. ^

Yet another vote for Como.
Would recommend in the price range you mentioned Grand Hotel Imperiale in Moltrasio which I believe in now in the Best Western chain short walk uphill by a side road at the edge of the Hotel property to the town where Versace is now buried.
Hotel restaurant is across the road right on the lake itself ( something very few Como hotels have) Had a memorable meal there on the patio just a few feet from the lakes edge.

mike