Now! September is still tourist season in Lake Como and is very busy. Most hotels are small and if you want to stay in a certain location or with friends it is not too soon to start.
Wedding day activities will be on the Varenna side of the lake, so look there for the most convenience (we have reserved rooms at the Royal Hotel Victoria -- see Travel page for more info). The vibe in Varenna is a quaint and charming, with colorful cobblestone alleyways leading down to small shops and al fresco restaurants lining the lake. Bellagio is the next closest/easiest option for getting to and from the wedding weekend activities. Known as “The Pearl of Lake Como”, it has more of a "posh" vibe, combining old-world classiness and new-world luxury. Lovely shops line the lakefront and you can wander up the steep steps to explore the many boutiques and restaurants. If you stay anywhere else on the lake, keep in mind you will need to arrange your own transportation to and from Varenna for the wedding activities. We will be providing transportation back to Varenna and Bellagio at the end of the evenings (Welcome Party & Wedding).
There are a variety of options for getting around the lake. There are public ferries that travel up and down the lake, as well as taxis on land (aim to schedule in advance).
Yes, for the most part. We will provide all transportation for the Wedding Day, as well as return trip from the Welcome Party. Please check our Schedule & Travel page for details. The only transportation you will be responsible for is the Brunch and arrival to the Welcome Party, both of which will be easily reachable by public ferry. You can check the public ferry routes/timetables here: http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/risultati.aspx?lake=Como
Check out this helpful website to identify available transportation timing and costs: https://www.rome2rio.com
You can choose to travel directly from the airport to Lake Como by car (approx 90 mins) or go from the airport to the train station in Milan and take a train to the town of Como or Varenna.
A passport! Be sure to check the expiration date and renew ASAP if needed. *Please note that several countries, including Italy, require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip.
Seasonable temperatures in September are mid-to-high 70’s during the day and mid 60’s in the evening. Layers/light jackets and small umbrellas are a good idea!
Lake Como is a popular tourist area so most will speak English. When in doubt, say “parla inglese”? (do you speak English?). If you're game to learn a bit more Italian before the trip, there are apps to get up to speed on some vocabulary and phrases - one to try: Duolingo!