flygirl

Sigh.

I will find out the verdict this afternoon. Without going into too much gory detail, a medical issue (my one eye - chronic issue which has chosen a perfect time to flare up) has cropped up which is very likely going to postpone this trip on Friday. I have a feeling this specialist is going to say "the only place you will be next week is an OR, missy".

So.

If we postpone, which is going to happen unless a miracle occurs this afternoon, I will likely push this trip back no less than three weeks, maybe more. This is Lake Como, Venice, and Switzerland.

I'm thinking the Berner Oberland would only be better in July than early June, but the other two places I know are wonderful in May but I don't hear the best anecdotes about July. Too crowded, too hot, etc.

At the risk of asking for yet more anecdotes - what are your thoughts? Circumstances may not sway me from the switch but I may as well be prepared. I really hate to think of moving this to September, for instance. A whole summer... gah.

flygirl

ps. ARE. not is. This is what happens when you add thoughts to a sentence without re-reading it before you click submit.

Echnaton

First, I hope the best for your eye.

Second, don't worry too much about travelling time. End of June/beginning of July is still a bit before the hottest time of year and northern Italy, esp. Lake Como, is not that hot at all. In any case, you will enjoy riding the boats on the lake and enjoying the scenery. It is also a good time for trips into the mountains. In Venice, enjoy the fantastic architecture and art - crowds or not, heat or not. It won't be too bad, definitely better than in August.

kleeblatt

Most schools start their summer vacation the second week of July so you should be contending with many families during your visit.

Weadles

I wish you all the best with your eye!

We've been in both Venice and Lake Como in early July, and it was wall to wall people. However, if that's the only time you can do it, just go. If you sightsee early or late in the day, you might be able to avoid the heaviest crowds. And if not you'll still have a wonderful time and eat very well! Just make sure you reserve a hotel with AC. When we visited, it was quite hot. Good luck!

NYCFoodSnob

Lake Como is fabulous in July. I think the people who claim "wall to wall" people have never been to Lake Como or they live in Wasilla, Alaska. How can there be wall to wall people with all that water? Bellagio is always busy for lunch, no matter what month you go, but it's not like you can't find a seat on a ferry. I've been to Villa Carlotta twice on a weekend in July and I still had no problem capturing people-less photos. I've never been stuck in a traffic jam and I've always found a parking spot. Lake Como is so large, so spread out, I think it's one of the quietest "popular" places on earth, even in high season. You know how it feels there. July isn't much more crowded than May. May is more popular with weddings and the flower crowds. Lake Como might actually be busier in May. Sometimes, July has cool days. The weather there is so unpredictable. In 2008, there was a lot of rain in July but the green was fantastic.

Sorry to hear about your eye. Hope you heal quickly.

flygirl

Good afternoon everyone.

I am back from the specialist. Yup, eye surgery is sched for early next week. Not exactly what I hoped to be doing - Bellagio was the plan. But, at least we have a path forward and this will bring relief so that is good.

Echnaton, thank you, we will be enjoying it then it appears!

Schuler, by the second week we will be heading to the Berner Oberland so we will have plenty of space to share with the kids! Thanks for the info.

Weadles, thanks! Our hotel in Venice has AC, I don't know if the Eremo Gaudio does but I do think the Albergo Lenno does. I hope we can still secure reservations there actually.

NYCFoodSnob, so glad you chimed in. I'm disappointed that I won't be breathing in the fresh air of Varenna on Saturday morning (and seeing those lovely flowers), but, the next month will go by quickly. I hope there are other flowers of the season at Villa Monastero when we arrive. Thank you for the thoughts. I'm an old hand at eye surgery, alas. While I'm not ecstatic I know that I will look like I was in a brawl for about three weeks but I'll be back to normal activities in about 3 days. I plan to watch A Month by the Lake during the post-op period.

NYCFoodSnob

Eremo Gaudio and Albergo Lenno have AC. (It may depend on the room, though.) The sun sets on Eremo so the afternoon sun can warm up the room, even with the curtains drawn. Albergo Lenno is in the shade around 4-5 PM and their pool water is absolutely freezing, no matter how hot the air. I have never experienced 90-degree heat during the summer on Lake Como. I hear that temperature is very rare.

July is a busy month for Varenna this year. ICP is hosting their biannual photography workshop and I hear several weddings have taken most of the rooms available.

I don't like Venice in July and August (too hot and humid) so, unless I had to work and the client can afford my room at the Cipriani (I love their pool), I avoid those months. I will look forward to hearing about your trip and viewing your lovely photos. Good luck with the eye surgery.

Weadles

Yes, best of luck w/ your eye surgery.

Sorry, NYCFoodSnob, but I've been to Como many times in late June/early July, and this former NYC city dweller ( ME) is saying it was wall to wall people. And that traffic coming from Milan to Bellagio was a nightmare both ways. Would that stop me from going? Absolutely not, if it was the only time I could get there. On the other hand, if September/October was an option, I'd travel then.

Jim_Tardio

I have to concur with Weadles. I was there last June (the last week), and it was extremely crowded and very hot & humid. I'd wait until late September.

NYCFoodSnob

Sorry, folks, I don't like "wall-to-wall" people. Compared to Disneyland in the summer (with its hour-long ride lines), compared to Venice at Carnivale, compared to entering the Uffizi in Florence without reservations, compared to Times Square at rush hour in October, compared to the 405 in L.A., Lake Como is a peaceful piece of cake (except for Bellagio). I've been to Lake Como the past four summers for four-six weeks each time (but I don't stay on Bellagio, only visit). I'm not suggesting Lake Como is dead. It's a summer resort destination and Flygirl knows that.

Furthermore, Flygirl has been to Lake Como. She knows what I'm talking about. May is a very popular time to visit there. But the weather is much cooler in May (can get very cold at night).

Yes, the sun at high noon in the summer is hot but the actual temperature has never exceeded 90-degrees when I've been there. Plus, there's always a breeze. Some days can be humid but that doesn't seem to linger for long. Like I said, in 2008, they had a lot of rain. My point is, summer on Lake Como is nothing like July/August in NYC, nothing like July/August in Venice/Florence/Rome/Milan.

I don't think Flygirl intends to situate herself on Bellagio. Only there will the ferry ticket line be long (at times).

I think Lake Como is paradise in summer precisely because I'm not a fan of high heat and wall-to-wall people. I'll be there again this summer and I'll be sure to report back.

Jim_Tardio

Well, I didn't stay in Bellagio. I was based in Menaggio. It was late June. It was extremely crowded. It was miserably hot.

Hopefully, you'll have better luck.

Jim_Tardio

...However, the crowds were reduced in the evenings. Thinking back, I was always able to find a parking spot near our hotel. Make restaurant reservations...they were always full.

flygirl

Hi everyone

Thanks again!

We won't be staying in Bellagio. Lovely as it is, I like to see it from afar and visit. I am just hoping our hotels will have openings for the next round. I love both places (Eremo Gaudio and Albergo Lenno) for different reasons.

July will work just fine (it will have to!). I do expect breezes on the Lake and given what I've seen of the weather there this past week, we should be much better off in July. All I saw on the webcams were rain and clouds.

I am toying with modifying our itinerary a little. My parents were only able to join me for 13 of the 15 nights, now that will change so we can spread a few things out. In fact I'm thinking of flying into Venice instead of Milan and making Lake Como the middle stop instead of the first one. If nothing else that will make Venice almost a week earlier so maybe it won't be as beastly. The rest of the trip after Venice will be in or near mountains (last 5 nights in Switzerland currently) so July should be even better.

One thing that will definitely change on this trip is the cost. I am taking a hit on airfares due to the change and in the case of my parents' tickets I will be paying a 250 pp change fee on top of it. Oh well, it is what it is.

flygirl

Huh, this is very interesting.

The Wildner in Venice is actually 50E cheaper per night in July than our May trip. I wonder why? I would expect July to be high season in Venice despite the heat.

FACS

Flygirl-you will be fine! I was in Venice on a Saturday mid July (5 yrs ago) 78 degrees and sunny not mobbed either. We've been twice to Switzerland/Germany/Austria (09,08)weather cool and not crowded. It was 90 in Lake Como in 2008, end of June but not many visitors! Good luck with your eye.

Dukey

It is the higher season and with that comes more people and the heat and humidity..is that hotel air conditioned for the summer the same way it is for the winter?

NYCFoodSnob

<i><font color=#777777>"The Wildner in Venice is actually 50E cheaper per night in July than our May trip. I wonder why?"</font></i>

Venice is absolutely glorious in May and the service community knows that May attracts more upscale tourists. Summer is high season in Venice only because school is out and most families can't travel at any other time. Some hotels reduce the rate to remain competitive during the hot months because they can't expect the "May" visitors to come in July/August.

karens

flygirl - I hope you are well. We are also visiting Venice and the Lakes in early July. We had no choice - we are working around our kids summer vacation schedule.

Like FACS, we were in Austria/Germany/Switzerland during the same time frame and the weather was not all uncomfortable and there were no crowds.

I will top that trip report - we were in the Berner Oberland, and 2 of our 3 days we had constant rain. The bonus was that the higher elevations got snow, and the views the next day, when it was sunny, were glorious. During the rain, we visited Trummelbach Falls and a nice indoor spa pool in Wengen (where we stayed).

flygirl

Karens, thanks for the information - I will read it tonight.

Eye surgery was successful and I am good to go. I just re-booked us for 4 weeks from now. Venice first (anywhere from 3 nights to 5 nights) and then Lake Como for 5 nights and Switzerland for 5 nights. Home from Geneva. Might spend the last night on Lac Leman and who knows, go to the Jazz Fest in Montreux.

yeehaw - trip is back on!

Now to determine if Venice will be 5 nights, or 3 nights with 2 nights in... Verona or (fill in the blanks) on the way to Lake Como...