Italy - The family front-runner for Annual Holidays
The Annual family holiday, the one we all look forward to. Time away together in our favourite place, giving the kids plenty of opportunities to explore the lake and dive off the pontoon.
Our journey usually begins with an early morning flight from London to Milan, four airport breakfasts and a couple of coffees later, the boarding gate is shown and off we go. Arriving in Linate or Malpensa it's pretty easy to navigate through the airport. I'm not one for driving when I'm on holiday so we head to the train station or take the bus/coach from right outside the airport which drops you at Milan central station, it's around 30 euros for the four of us to take the bus, tickets available either inside the airport or from the sellers just outside by the stops, card and cash accepted.
Just as a side note, I use a Revolut card when I travel which makes traveling a lot easier, they offer different tiers. I pay a fee as it offers travel insurance for the whole family.
If we do take the train, I usually book everything up using the TrainLine app it does all the check-ins for you. If you buy a ticket at the station you need to validate it before you get on the train, there's a little machine on the platform
Now the good bit! By the time we get to Milan it's nearly lunchtime, with so many amazing places to choose from it is hard to decide, but what makes Milan Central station so great is the food market "il Mercato Centrale". On the ground floor, as you walk in through the main entrance, there's a little flower stall on the left next to that is a doorway which leads to a food market. You are greeted by so many various food stalls and the cakes, well we only just make it past the first counter! Walking along you'll find Italian places, chicken places, sushi bars, steaks, fish, burgers, cocktail bars, cake and desert counters the choice is incredible and reasonably priced too. Some places give out the "try before you buy" taster samples, which when you have hungry kids is amazing! We settled down at a table and opted for the chicken, it was so good!
Oh wait there's more good bits!
Having fed and watered, we take the train from Milan heading North towards the Lake 30 euros for the family. Reaching Lecco we know that this is the start of the holiday, as the train rumbles along the shoreline of Lake Como, there is only a few stops left until we reach our favourite town. 3 stops to go (depending on the train you get) 1st. Mandello Del Lario 2nd. Varenna-Esino-Perledo 3rd. and finally Bellano-Tartavalle Terme our home for the next 7 days.
I started coming to Lake Como a few years ago, staying in Colico which is the northern point of the lake, I liked it there but wanted to see more so started booking places on the East side of the lake so I could still get to work without having to hire a car. There is a ferry which zigzags across the lake, which is also well worth doing. Then I bought the family and that was a game changer, the lake went from just a place to stay whilst working to a whole new adventure, things I'd done solo now had more meaning by sharing them with the ones I love. Accommodation in Bellano is brilliant, its either within walking distance of the lake and restaurants, or a bit further up the hillside with incredible views over the lake.
Hotel Meridiana Boutique is a fantastic lakeside hotel and a great place to base yourself for a Lake Como adventure. The location is amazing, the staff were really friendly and helpful and of course the food was superb. (Booking link below!)
Depending on the duration of the stay, hotels are great for a week, but anymore than that and I tend to book up an Airbnb, for a more homely feel and most places have a washing machine which is an added bonus! Again there are some superb places up and down the lakeside, but hotel wise I do like the Meridiana
Bellano, is great for the kids, I think they were jumping off the pontoon into the lake before we had even unpacked. This was where we would spend a good deal of the holiday relaxing and having fun with the kids by the lake. The Lido behind offers cooked food, drinks, with a swimming pool and deck chairs available for a fee, alternatively there is a kiosk serving food and drink plus ice-creams.
One train stop up is Dervio, another great little lake town to explore, we had so much fun here as it has an Inflatable Aquapark (seasonal, check before visiting), I'm not sure who had more fun with this the adults or the children everyone loved it. On our last trip in May 2024 it wasn't there but we are hoping it returns for our August holiday this year.
With so much to chose from we tried most places before we picked our favourite restaurant, which we go back to every time, it has never disappointed. I won't spoil the fun by telling you which one, but I'm sure you will enjoy tasting your way to find the one you like.
There is plenty of walking to be had and the Lake offers a range different activities. Each Town has something to offer and all are incredible for scenery and hospitality.
If you book to go in June head to Villatico (Hamlet of Colico) for "Colico in Cantina" a food and wine event which is incredible.
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