Regional Information
Lake Como, St Moritz & Milan
At a Glance
Currency: Euro (€) (Italy) and Swiss Franc (CHF) (Switzerland). Euro widely accepted
Language: Italian, German and French
Local Time: Irish and UK time +1 hour
Voltage: 110/220V – international adapters purchased in Ireland / UK can be used
Flight Duration: Approx. 3 hours
Airport: Lake Como is serviced by Milan Malpensa and Milan Linate airports. Milan is approximately 80km (50 miles) southwest of the town of Cadenabbia on Lake Como. Journey time is approx. 1 hour 20 minutes
Climate: The Lake District of Italy is renowned for its mild climate. Despite the fact that the highest peaks of the Alps can get snow all year-round. Switzerland is not as cold as most people think.
Overview
Lake Como is one of the most beautiful of the Italian lakes. It is the third largest of all the lakes in Italy after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. Over an hour from bustling Milan and just few minutes from the Swiss border, Lake Como is a jewel-like oasis of tranquility, a magical combination of lush Mediterranean foliage and snowy alpine peaks. Lake Como is long (50km), slender, extremely deep and its shape is like an inverted Y. Like the other Italian Lakes Lake Como has been popular as a resort since the days of the Roman Empire. Visitors ever since have admired the blue waters and relaxed atmosphere.
Highlights
Lake Como – The touristy-yet-delightful town of Bellagio, located where the main body of water meets its eastern Lecco branch, and Varenna, on the rugged eastern shore, both merit visits. The Villa Melzi in Bellagio has beautiful gardens which are open to the public. Another villa with impressive gardens is the Villa Carlotta. It was built at the end of the 17th century and it is home to sculptures by Canova, one the greatest neoclassical Italian sculptors of the 18th and 19th century. Explore the lake by boat - travel is effortless and the views are ever-changing. The voyage from Varenna in the east to Menaggio in the west by way of Bellagio displays all three arms of the lake in a slowly shifting choreography of water and mountains.
St. Moritz – This world famous Swiss resort is situated at 1856m (5624ft) above sea level. It is resplendent in its picturesque surroundings on the edge of a pristine mountain lake. It offers the appealing combination of an unspoiled natural environment, cultural activities, sports possibilities, attractive facilities, great shopping and a relaxing atmosphere.
Milan – Fashion is a big business and a big draw in Milan, from the extremely upscale stores of the Quadrilatero d'Oro to the more reasonably priced shops on Corso Buenos Aires, but there is plenty else to do and see. The ornate Duomo cathedral, the famous La Scala opera house, art museums, galleries and elegant palazzos are all well worth seeing. Leonardo da Vinci aficionados can book a viewing of "The Last Supper" and visit the Museo Nazionale della Scienza e Tecnica to see da Vinci's technical drawings and models.
Getting Around
The beautiful picturesque area of Lake Como is ideally explored on foot. Transport is readily available for those who wish to travel further afield with steamers, boats and buses serving all the main towns on Lake Como.
In Milan the Azienda Trasporti Milanesi operates the metro, bus, tram and trolley services, which have the advantage of being integrated. Tickets, which can be bought from tobacconists, coffee bars and vending machines throughout the city, are validated on board and then have a time limit of 75 minutes travel on any of the transport options. Day passes are also available.
The Swiss will spoil you with fantastic transportation, punctual trains, clean buses and half a dozen different kinds of mountain transport systems. The Swiss public transport system offers a multitude of discount options, from half-fare cards to multi-day, multi-use tickets valid for buses, boats, trains and even bike rentals.
Health/Security
Most Italians take mineral water with their meals; however, tap water is also safe everywhere, as are public drinking fountains. Unsafe sources will be marked ACQUA NON POTABILE. Tourists should take the same precautions they would in any major city, avoid carrying large sums of cash or leaving belongings unattended.
In Switzerland health insurance is recommended. Immunisation certificates are only required if the traveller has been in an infected area within two weeks prior to arrival in the country (please contact your local Tropical Medical Bureau or the Swiss Embassy in Dublin for more information, contact details below). Switzerland has a low crime rate compared to other European countries and is generally a safe country to travel in; however there has been a recent increase in petty theft and visitors should be alert to pickpockets and thieves, particularly in the city centres and on public transport. Be aware of robberies on overnight trains.
Passport/Visa
Italy is a member of the EU; therefore no visa is required for Irish / UK citizens. Switzerland also allows free movement for EU citizens and no visa is required.
Useful Contacts
Tropical Medical Bureau: 34 Grafton Street
Dublin 2
Ireland
Tel: 1850 487674
Fax: +353 1 6719211
Email: graftonstreet@tmb.ie
web: www.tmb.ie/contact.asp
Dublin Swiss Embassy: 6 Ailesbury Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Ireland
Tel: +353 1 218 63 82/83
Fax: +353 1 283 03 44
Web: www.eda.admin.ch/dublin
Milan Irish Embassy: Piazza S. Pietro in Gessate 2, 20122 Milano
Tel: +39 2551 87 569
Fax: +39 2551 87 570
Web: www.ambasciata-irlanda.it
Milan British Embassy: Via San Paolo 7, 20121 Milano
Tel: +39 02 72 30 01
Fax: +39 02 86 92 405
web: www.britain.it/business
Bern Irish Embassy: Kirchenfeldstrasse 68 CH - 3005 Berne City: Bern
Tel: +41 31 352 1442
Fax: +41 31 352 1455
Email: berneembassy@dfa.ie
Bern British Embassy: Thunstrasse 50 3005 Berne
Tel: +41 31 359 7700
Fax: + 41 31 359 7701
Email: info@britishembassy.ch
Local Emergency Services: Ambulance 118 / Fire 115 / Police 112 in Italy Fire 118; Police 117; Medical 144 in Switzerland
Calling Italy from Irl / UK: 00 + 39 + area code + the number
Calling Switzerland from Irl / UK: 00 + 41 +area code + the number
Calling Ireland from Italy: 00 + 353 + area code + the number
Calling the UK from Italy: 00 + 44 + area code + the number
Calling Ireland from Switzerland: 00 + 353 + area code + the number
Calling UK from Switzerland: 00 + 44 + area code + the number
Local Tourist Office: E.P.T. Del Comasco, Piazza Cavour 17, 22100 Como
Useful Websites
www.italiantourism.com
www.initaly.com
www.myswitzerland.com
www.switzerland.com
www.lonelyplanet.com