Today we took the ferry to Varenna, which is about halfway up the long, thin lake Como. See the next post for a map. In Varenna we ate lunch at an outdoor cafe, walked around the beautiful but tourist-packed town, then returned to Como by a fast ferry.
Varenna was disappointingly crowded. Unlike France, which seemed to have settled into off season, Italy feels crowded, as if it's still high tourist season. We are, of course, contributors to this state of affairs.
Lake Como is long (46 km), thin (4.5 km max), and deep (435 m). It is surrounded by mountains and lined with villas and beautiful towns draped onto the hillsides. There are no bridges over, no fast highways around, and I think only two train stations, in Como and Varenna.
Most ferries are slow and make frequent stops but a few are faster, either catamarans or boats with curious fins sticking out on either side of their fronts.
The ferry schedules (there are four, one is below) are confusing at first glance. There are 35 or probably more ferry stops which makes for a complex document. Fortunately the ticket office people are happy to explain which ferry to take to get to your chosen destination.
To purchase tickets go to Navigazione Laghi ferry company and for downloadable ferry schedules go to Como lake today. Or stop by the ticket office.
The schedule for the ferry leaving the town of Como (at the southern tip of the lake) and ending at Colico (at the northern end). There are similar schedules for the ferry heading south as well as ferries that limit their routes to mid-lake cities such as Varenna and Bellagio.
The schedule for the ferry leaving the town of Como (at the southern tip of the lake) and ending at Colico (at the northern end). There are similar schedules for the ferry heading south as well as ferries that limit their routes to mid-lake cities such as Varenna and Bellagio.
The schedule for the ferry leaving the town of Como (at the southern tip of the lake) and ending at Colico (at the northern end). There are similar schedules for the ferry heading south as well as ferries that limit their routes to mid-lake cities such as Varenna and Bellagio.
