Day 1 Itinerary for Lake Como: Varenna & Castello di Vezio

As a warning for this itinerary for Lake Como – Varenna, the plans will be very loose. The best times I had in Lake Como were from wandering around. For your first day in Varenna, try to see everything that this amazing location has to offer. The best attraction is the Castello di Vezio. The Castello di Vezio will take you around 3-4 hours for your first time going up. Afterward, there is plenty of time left in your day in Varenna. If you can, pack a lunch or snack to eat once you get to the top of Castello di Vezio. However, there’s a snack bar where you can buy food as well. Admire the views before walking back down to the center of town. Here, you can grab a drink by the water, check out the Walk of Lovers, and figure out a plan for dinner.

Day 2 in Lake Como: Bellagio

For a day trip to Bellagio from Varenna, I strongly recommend you start early in your day. Take one of the earlier ferries from the port in Varenna, near the beginning of the Walk of Lovers. Once you are in Bellagio, I recommend walking north, past the nice hotels, and going to a popular outlook. You will be at the base of the “Y” formation that Lake Como forms and you will have beautiful views. It’s called Punta Spartivento, there is a restaurant there if you need a snack or drink. Once you sat down here for a little while you should take a walk through town and explore, just take the same way back and walk up the stairs from the water. If you’d like to explore past the town you can visit the nearby fishing village in Bellagio. Walk down to the Scalotta per Pescallo (a stone stairway leading down to the ocean) to get to a part of Bellagio that tourists don’t usually see. It will be quiet and quaint, with a harbor full of fishing boats and more views. I did not find much to do in Bellagio except for walk around the shops and eat in restaurants. As a warning, most restaurants WILL NOT let you sit down just for a drink in Bellagio. While you are in Bellagio, you should buy some Bellagio silk and touristic items, this is the time to buy them. Get an earlier dinner to make sure that you catch the ferry, then go relax by the water near the ferry stop.

Day 3: Varenna, Villa Monastero, & Walk of Lovers

This last day in Varenna is mostly what you want to make of it. I recommend seeing the Villa Monastero and its botanical gardens on this relaxed day. You should explore every street in Varenna and take a break wherever you find it interesting. On this day, you could also go back up to Castello di Vezio or hike the trails that are up the hill from Varenna.

Remember if you would like to learn more about any of the places included in my best restaurants for Lake Como, Italy, then you can visit my all-inclusive guide for free here!

The post The Best 3-Day Itinerary for Lake Como, Italy appeared first on Nick's Travel Tips.

Public Transport in Lake Como

This guide for the best public transportation tips for Lake Como will be brief since there’s are limited services available. Above is a map of the ferries in Lake Como, notice the Red and Blue make stops at almost every area, they both make trips all the way down to the town of Como. The one that you will most likely take if you are staying between Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio is the yellow triangle. This route has public ferries available with or without a car. Additionally, there are private boats, transport for vehicles, and other types of transportation available for various prices. For more of that information, you can click here.

Approximate Prices for Public Transport

• Ferry Ticket (excluding car): 4.60 Euro ($5.43 USD)
• Ferry Ticket (including car): 12.60 – 15.50 Euro ($14.87 USD – $18.29 USD)
• Train (Varenna -> Como): 5 Euro ($5.90 USD)

Other Useful Tips for Public Transport in Lake Como

• Ferry rides are easy but can be delayed, ask the ticket office for the status of your boat
• Try to be some of the first people on the ferry because you can get a great seat with amazing views, remember that this doesn’t only get you from one destination to another, but also provides unique views
• There are many types of ferry tickets and types of boats to take while on Lake Como, make sure you do your research before buying a ticket
• Use the train to get to and from Varenna/Como as well as other main cities
• Use Google Maps for basic travel, this page for a guide to the various services, and Google Flights for plane fares

Remember if you would like to learn more about any of the places included in my best public transportation tips for Lake Como, Italy, then you can visit my all-inclusive guide for free here!

The post The Best Public Transportation Tips for Lake Como, Italy appeared first on Nick's Travel Tips.

Currency used in Lake Como, Italy
Euro

Austria uses the Euro, which is currently exchanged at $1.10 for 1 Euro. So it’s not that much more expensive, but keep in mind that you’re always spending 10% more. This might not seem like a huge difference but a 40 euro meal turns into a $48 meal. Make sure you know this exchange rate well during your travels. It’s essential for the best budget in Vienna, Austria.

My Budget for Lake Como, Italy

• $133.50 USD round-trip train tickets from Florence to Varenna
• $294 USD for a 3-night stay at an Airbnb (Late April, Easter weekend)
• $150 USD for food & drink
• $20 USD for visits/tours of several palaces, museums, etc.
• $20 USD for public transport
• $617.50 USD TOTAL for a 3-night trip to Varenna, Lake Como, Italy

The Best Budget Tips & How to Spend Money in Lake Como, Italy

• I went to Varenna on one of the most expensive weekends to travel, Easter weekend, so make sure you plan around holidays if you don’t want to spend unnecessary money
• Go to a local grocery store for snacks and breakfast to cook in your Airbnb
• Stay in charming, smaller towns, such as Varenna or Menaggio instead of tourist-heavy areas like Bellagio. This is one of the best budget tips for Lake Como since it can save you upwards of $100/night and the headache of staying in an extremely busy town
• Dinner and shopping will be more expensive than most places, but remember that there aren’t many attractions that you have to pay for while staying in Lake Como. You can use this extra money to get a local tour of the alps or another activity.

Remember if you would like to learn more about any of the places included in my where to stay & best budget & spending tips for Lake Como, Italy, then you can visit my all-inclusive guide for free here!

The post The Best Budget & Spending Tips for Lake Como, Italy appeared first on Nick's Travel Tips.

Where to Stay for a Trip to Lake Como, Italy

For Lake Como, you have a choice between many different towns to stay in. Most people choose between Como (the largest city), Menaggio, Bellagio, and Varenna. Como is the easiest to get to, most convenient, but the views and charm aren’t there as much. Menaggio is almost as nice as Varenna and easiest to get to if you’re coming from Switzerland. Bellagio usually requires at least one ferry to get to and has the most tourists and abundant nightlife. Varenna is the smallest of the three and my recommendation. I think it’s the balance of everything. It was easy to do on a budget, easy to get to, more charming than other places on the Lake and had an assortment of attractions as well as great restaurants. If you’re lucky enough to find an Airbnb here, I believe that is the best for convenience and price. You can cook breakfast and have a nicely located place to rest up.

Hotel/Airbnb Recommendations for Lake Como, Italy

The Airbnb I Recommend VistaLago Varenna, Hosted by Cristina

Unfortunately the Airbnb I stayed in Varenna is no longer available. However, I found another Airbnb close to the center of town and with a breathtaking view of the lake. Also, I believe that almost anywhere in Varenna is well worth it because it’s hard to have a bad time in this amazing place. I recommend this Airbnb because of its’ view and updated shower. However, it’s a pretty small place with a limited kitchen. There are plenty of places for rent in Varenna, so make sure you set your priorities when booking.

Remember if you would like to learn more about any of the places included in my where to stay & best location for Lake Como, Italy, then you can visit my all-inclusive guide for free here!

The post Where to Stay & The Best Location for Lake Como, Italy appeared first on Nick's Travel Tips.

Castello di Vezio
Varenna

I would go to Castello di Vezio every day if I had the time during my stay in Varenna. The view from the castle is breathtaking. You’re allowed to wander about the old grounds as if it were a park. There are two different ways to get up to the castle, depending on where you’re staying. I was staying on the northern side of town, so I took a path that began between the buildings of Albergo Ristorante Montecodeno and La Casa di Lucia. This path is steep but very well-traveled. Once you’re at the top, you’ll reach a small town. Here, there’s is also a place for water. The other path is on the Southern side, by Villa Monastero (this trail is smaller and more grown in, but less steep). It begins at the Cimitero di Varenna. Once you reach Castello di Vezio, there’s a bathroom and a small snack bar. Purchase tickets to enter the castle for 3 euro each. There are plenty of benches to sit everywhere, so make sure you sit down and rest after your hike up the mountain. Also around the castle, there are birds of prey for show and a guard tower to climb. During this time there is no staff in Castello di Vezio, it is largely unsupervised. If you continue downwards to the left of the birds, you will stumble upon the bunker that the Italians made to watch out for a German invasion from Switzerland during World War 1. This bunker at Castello di Vezio is completely preserved, down to the stench and cold feeling of the bunker. It transports you to another time and is such a weird but interesting addition to this beautiful Castle.

Villa Monastero
Varenna

Villa Monastero in Varenna is one of the most popular attractions. It has a beautiful botanical garden that provides many different picturesque scenes. It will cost you 8 Euro to visit the Villa Monastero Botanical Gardens in Varenna. The ticket office is closer to the center of town, near the parking garage. More information, including a brochure for the Villa Monastero in Varenna on Lake Como, can be found here.

Piazza San Giorgio
(Saint George’s Square)
Varenna

St. Georges Square in Varenna is the center of town, focused around the main church, St. George’s Church. This church was built between 1250 and 1300. It’s small and ominous on the inside but worth the quick visit. In other parts of the square, you will find multiple shops and restaurants. Be aware that these restaurants will be slightly more touristy than most. I recommend wandering through the small streets of Varenna and finding the restaurants hidden along the way. As a quick side note, the tall mountain behind the church is where Castello di Vezio is located for a frame of reference. You can find more information about the Piazza San Giorgio (Saint George’s Square) in Varenna, Lake Como, here.

Passeggiata degli Innamorati di Varenna (Walk of Lovers)
Varenna

The Walk of Lovers in Varenna is one of the best things to do in town, it has breathtaking views along the water and takes you from the port for the ferry to the center of Varenna. It is beautifully constructed and there are benches along the way. At the little beach in this picture, there are a couple of gelato shops and restaurants. I strongly recommend stopping to grab a drink or gelato and sit down to enjoy the views around you at least a couple of times during your stay.

Bellagio

Bellagio is the other most popular small town to stay in on Lake Como. In my opinion, Bellagio is less charming than Varenna. There are many more upscale restaurants and large, luxurious hotels in Bellagio than Varenna. Although, I do believe that you must visit Bellagio. It is larger than Varenna, so there’s a lot to walk around and see. You can take a ferry to/from Bellagio and Varenna for 9.20 Euro round trip (4.60 one way), take note that this ticket doesn’t include a car. You will buy these tickets at the ticket office right outside the ferry stop. Make sure to keep an eye out on the schedule and if your ferry hasn’t arrived on time, ask about it at the ticket office. Sometimes they can be relatively late/early. More information on the ferries in Lake Como can be found here.

Remember if you would like to learn more about any of the places included in my best sights & attractions for Lake Como, Italy, then you can visit my all-inclusive guide for free here!

The post The Best Sights & Attractions of Lake Como, Italy appeared first on Nick's Travel Tips.

Il Cavatappi
Varenna

One of the best restaurants in all of Lake Como, Il Cavatappi is a wonderful small restaurant. I went here for an Easter dinner during my stay. Here, I had one of the best wines and meals I’ve ever had. Make sure you make a reservation here since tables are limited.

VarennaMonamour
Varenna

Slightly more casual than Il Cavatappi, VarennaMonamour is near that small beach at the end of the Walk of Lovers, up the alley from Caffe Varenna. It has a couple of outdoor seats and much more indoor seating. They have an amazing seafood selection and handmade traditional pasta dishes.

For a Drink – Caffe Varenna
Varenna

Caffe Varenna is one of the more touristy restaurants since it is directly on the water. It is at the end of the Walk of Lovers if you start from the ferry port. I recommend stopping here for a drink or a pizza at least once to enjoy the view.

Antico Pozzo Ristorante
Bellagio

In peak season, it is extremely difficult to find a decent restaurant in Bellagio, Antico Pozzo Ristorante was one of the few I found that balanced their size and quality of food. The service was ok, but you cannot complain when you get great seafood risotto and cheap house wine. The outdoor seating is also a great touch.

Ristorante Bilacus
Bellagio

If you’re lucky, you will try to have a meal at Ristorante Bilacus in their outdoor area. They have a beautiful garden outside and they serve great food. Although, expect smaller portion sizes, I recommend the risotto for a filling meal.

For a Drink – Torre del Borgo
Bellagio

Let me remind you that there will be a lot of walking in Bellagio, which doesn’t combine well with restaurants that don’t allow you to sit down and just have a drink. Torre del Borgo is an extremely casual restaurant with paninis and pizza in the Piazza della Chiesa. This place was a sanctuary for me for over an hour. All I had to do was order cheap, chilled house wine and relax in the square. It was a relief to have a place serve us a drink without needing to order food.

Remember if you would like to learn more about any of the places included in my best restaurants for Lake Como, Italy, then you can visit my all-inclusive guide for free here!

The post Where to Eat – The Best Restaurants in Lake Como, Italy appeared first on Nick's Travel Tips.

Day 1 Itinerary:

Sorrento/Home Base

For the first day of your itinerary, explore your home base in Sorrento. Walk around the streets of Sorrento with all of the shops selling every lemon/limoncello product imaginable. Take a walk to the Municipal Villa and walk down the ramp to Via Marina Piccola. There will be several places where you could rent a chair or beach towel and lie down on the piers. You can take a whole day down here if you’d like but I preferred to walk around the town. Walk back up the path after relaxing on the beaches, then take a trip back into town and get lunch. Then visit Villa Fiorentino Park and Museum, which is all free (some time inside might be nice if it’s especially warm outside). Take some time afterward to explore shops, grab a drink somewhere and look for a place to eat dinner.

Day 2: Pompeii & Vesuvius

Take the Circumvesuviana train from the Sorrento or Sant’Angnello stop. Each of these stops has a ticket office where you buy tickets for your destination. The train will take you around half an hour to Pompeii. Once at the Pompeii stop, you will walk past a cafe and tourist shop towards the entrance. Lines can be long, so be prepared to stand and sit in the sun for a while. Like I mentioned earlier, I used Rick Steve’s Audioguide for Pompeii. I found it very helpful since Pompeii is quite large and has lots of history for each section. You can find his audioguide here. Make sure to sit down every now and then in Pompeii to rest, because you will be here for a while and you will be sitting in the Sun. I encourage you to pause Rick Steve’s audio guide whenever you’d like to look more closely at the monuments. Once done with the audioguide, walk down towards the Amphitheater and look around, there is a museum to walk around a little bit. Nearby, you will see a travel agency next to a pizza shop. Stop into that travel agency and you can buy tickets up to Vesuvius. The buses run about every hour. They will take you up to the mountain, and pick you back up in an hour. Come down and find the people you took the bus with and wait with them for the shuttle. Near the box office can be a mess with all of the people trying to find their shuttles, so stay with your group. Make sure you tell the driver to drop you off at the Pompeii train station! Return to Sorrento to enjoy dinner after a long day.

Day 3: Capri

From Sorrento, you can book a boat tour to Capri. The one that I took only included a guided tour around the island and a ferry ticket, with free time on Capri. Looking back, I wish I had done one of the all-inclusive tours with lunch, bus tickets, and free time built in. I think this ticket is best for the value. Although it depends on what works best for you. Some people want to have free time for themselves at a cheaper price and don’t like a planned itinerary for Sorrento. Either way, the general layout will provide transport to the boat to Capri (a harbor about 15 minutes away), they take you around the island of Capri, showing you all of the various grottos. They also take you under the famous Faraglioni rock formation. Then you will arrive at the island of Capri. From here, you will take a bus or walk up to Anacapri and take a chairlift from there to Monte Solaro. Hang out there for a little by the cafe and then come down to spend some time in Anacapri. You can then take a bus or walk down to Capri, find a place to eat. Then walk over to the Belvedere de Tragara lookout for one last look at the Faraglioni Rock Formation before you depart Capri.

Remember if you would like to learn more about any of the places included in my 3-day Itinerary for Sorrento, Capri, & Pompeii, then you can visit my all-inclusive guide for free here!

The post The Best 3-Day Itinerary for Sorrento, Capri, & Pompeii appeared first on Nick's Travel Tips.

Public Transport

To the left is a map of the Circumvesuviana train line. This is the most popular/useful form of public transportation in Sorrento. The Blue line is the line you will most likely take throughout your trip. It starts off in crowded Naples. As usual, keep an eye on your belongings while at Napoli Centrale and on the train. It will be around 4 euros a person to get from Naples to Sorrento. This train will take you about 1 hour and 15 minutes. If you are only traveling to Pompeii then it will take about 40 minutes and cost closer to 3 euros.

Tips for Each Type of Public Transport in the Sorrento, Capri, & Pompeii

• Bus – There are EAV public transport buses around Sorrento with multiple lines that can be found here. Tickets can be purchased either at train stations or tabacchi shops (corner stores)
• Trains – The most reliable form of transport in this area, especially when getting to/from Pompeii, Sorrento, and Naples. The main line is called the Circumvesuviana, which will be a bumpy ride, but it’s cheap/efficient.
• Boat – You must take a ferry or tour boat service in this area to view the beautiful coast of southern Italy. You may schedule your trip and view schedules of all lines here.

Approximate Prices for Public Transport in Sorrento, Capri, & Pompeii

• Bus one-way: 1.20 Euro ($1.45 USD)
• Train (Naples – Sorrento): 3.60 Euro ($4.34 USD)
• Train (Naples – Pompeii): 2.60 Euro ($3.14 USD)
• Boat one-way (Sorrento – Capri): 20 Euro ($24.12 USD)
• Boat round-trip (Sorrento – Capri): 30 Euro ($36.18 USD)
• * NOTE: Boat prices may vary depending on the season *

Other Useful Tips for Public Transport in Sorrento, Capri, & Pompeii

• Check with your hotel or local guides for all-inclusive services to Capri. Getting there and organizing the activities yourself for a day can be hard logistically.
• The Circumvesuviana is ALWAYS busy when leaving from Naples, be ready to stand for at least half an hour in a crowded, rickety, train
• If you’d like to visit Positano on the Amalfi coast, you may take a taxi or drive, but there is also a bus/ferry service
• Travel around Sorrento on foot! The town is small and stuffed full of fun shops, markets, and amazing restaurants
• Use Google Maps for basic travel, this page for a guide to the various services, Google Flights for plane fares, and Ok-Ferry for boats.

Remember if you would like to learn more about any of the places included in my best public transportation tips for Sorrento, Capri, & Pompeii, then you can visit my all-inclusive guide for free here!

The post The Best Public Transportation Tips for Sorrento, Capri, & Pompeii appeared first on Nick's Travel Tips.

Currency used in the Canary Islands
Euro

Italy uses the Euro, which is currently exchanged at $1.10 for 1 Euro. So it’s not that much more expensive, but keep in mind that you’re always spending 10% more. This might not seem like a huge difference but a 40 euro meal turns into a $48 meal.

My Budget for Sorrento, Capri, & Pompeii

• $119 USD round-trip train from Florence to Sorrento
• $320 USD for a 3-night stay at a Hotel (Late April)
• $125 USD for food & drink
• $14 USD for Pompeii visit
• $8 USD for a round-trip train from Sorrento to Pompeii
• $65 USD for an excursion to Capri
• $651 USD TOTAL for a 3-night trip to Sorrento, Italy

The Best Budget Tips & How to Spend Money in the Sorrento, Capri, & Pompeii

• Budgeting in Sorrento and Southern Italy is difficult because these parts are extremely touristy, don’t come here if you want a cheap trip
• Take advantage of free breakfast at the hotel or make breakfast at your Airbnb
• Excursions will be expensive, but you can’t miss them! Do your best to pack lunches to places like Pompeii and Capri to save some money while also using free audio guides by people such as Rick Steves
• Most restaurants will have similar prices, make sure you go to a decent one so you’re not wasting your money

Remember if you would like to learn more about any of the places included in my best budget & spending tips for Sorrento, Capri, & Pompeii, then you can visit my all-inclusive guide for free here!

The post The Best Budget & Spending Tips for Sorrento, Capri, & Pompeii appeared first on Nick's Travel Tips.

Where to Stay for a Trip to Sorrento, Capri, & Pompeii

This map above labels the southwestern coast of Italy. You will most likely have to travel through Naples in order to reach your destination. You may choose to stay on the infamous and beautiful Amalfi Coast. However, I found that Sorrento has much more charm while also maintaining a budget. You could also stay in various towns near Pompeii if you’d like. Nevertheless, I believe that Sorrento is the best place to stay to get the best of all surrounding attractions. Here, you reside close to Pompeii, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast all while enjoying a comfy little town.

Hotel/Airbnb Recommendations for Sorrento, Capri, & Pompeii

The Hotel I Stayed in, Sant’Agnello: Hotel Crawford

I think that Hotel Crawford was one of the best deals I found while traveling. It is in Sant’Agnello (a town outside of Sorrento) but is about a 15-minute walk to the town center. As a result, this hotel is relatively low cost. It has 4-star accommodation and has a hot tub and roof deck to provide stunning views of Sorrento. The staff there was so helpful. There is a free breakfast with lots of options provided with your stay. The hotel has plenty of options for excursions as well for your convenience.

Remember if you would like to learn more about any of the places included in my guide for where to stay & the best location for Sorrento, Capri, & Pompeii, then you can visit my all-inclusive guide for free here!

The post Where to Stay & The Best Location for Sorrento, Capri, & Pompeii appeared first on Nick's Travel Tips.