Travel

Hotel

Villa Cipressi

This is where the wedding ceremony, dinner, and dancing will take place. It's also where the bride & groom will be staying. Room descriptions and additional information may be found on the Hotel website.

House Or Rental

Airbnb in Varenna

We've created a Google spreadsheet with a list of Airbnb options in Varenna that are available for 3 nights August 13-16, 2022.

Hotel

Hotel Royal Victoria

This hotel is connected to Villa Cipressi by a Garden. There is a great pool bar overlooking the lake along with a restaurant that overlooks the village square.

Hotel

Hotel du lac

Boutique 4 star hotel with lakeside pool, small lakeside restaurant terrace, and intimate bar. It is a 4 minute walk to Villa Cipressi.

Hotel

Albergo Milano

Relaxed seasonal hotel on a pedestrian-only street. 4 minute walk to Villa Cipressi.

Hotel

Hotel Olivedo

Relaxed, family-run hotel in a 19th-century building. 8 minute walk to Villa Cipressi.

Hotel

Albergo del Sole Ristorante Pizzeria

Informal hotel with views of Lake Como and the surrounding mountains in a building with shuttered windows on a tree-lined square. 2 minute walk to Villa Cipressi.

Flight

Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)

Milan Malpensa is the airport nearest to Varenna.

Rental Car

Book a Car Service from the Airport!

For those of you who don't want to rent a car or spend time traveling via train, consider booking a car service transfer from the airport! Two reliable options recommended by our wedding planner include: Lake Como Limo (https://www.lake-como-airport-transfers.com) and Lake Como Transfers (http://www.lakecomotransfers.com/). Prices range, but for a luxury minivan for 4 passengers to directly take you from MXP to Varenna, plan to spend around 220 euro for a one way trip. If you need help booking a car service, please contact us!

Train

Train Directions - MXP to Varenna Esino Station

To get to Varenna by train, you must take the Malpensa Express train from the Milan Malpensa Airport to Milano-Centrale train station. There you will transfer trains to a Trenord Regional train that runs from Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino station. These trains will likely list the final destination as Tirano or Sondrio - either way they will stop at Varenna-Esino station.

Train

Train 1: MXP - Milano Centrale Station on Malpensa Express

MXP to Milano Centrale Station Directions: 1. After you have gone through Passport Control and collected your luggage from the baggage claim exit through sliding double doors to the main airport terminal. Look for signs for the railway station - it located on the lower level. 2. At the railway station there are agents and kiosks to buy tickets. It is best to buy tickets for both the Malpensa Express to Milano Centrale AND the roundtrip ticket from Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino. 3. Once you have your ticket you must validate it at the green box before going down to the track. Note: you could owe the Italian government a hefty fine if you skip the validation step! 4. Board the train to Milano Centrale (Note: there are also Malpensa Express trains to Milano Cadorna - these are not the right trains!). The trip should take 50 minutes.

Train

Train 2: Milano Centrale - Varenna Esino on Trenord Regional

Directions from Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino via the Trenord Regional train: 1. Milano Centrale is the main train station in Milan and can be rather crowded. Once you arrive find a large electronic board that lists the Trenord Regional train to Varenna. Note: the destination may be listed as Tirano or Sondrio - in both cases the train will stop at Varenna. 2. To avoid adding your hard earned dollars to the Italian Treasury, you must once again validate your ticket before boarding! 3. Grab a seat on the left side (facing forward) of the train to get the best Lake Como views! 4. The trip should take about 1 hour - just prior to arriving in Varenna you'll pass through a tunnel. Please be ready to exit the train at this point. The train does not stop in Varenna for long!

Travel Note

Taxi vs. Uber

During your Italian travels we recommend getting a cab and not an Uber. While Ubering is possible, it is both much more expensive and infrequent (causing longer wait times). There are often lines of cabs outside airports, train stations, and other popular locations. While many take cards, some only take euros.

Rental Car

Hertz, Sixt, Etc. - MXP Airport

Numerous car rental companies with English-speaking staff are accessible via the lower level of MXP airport. The car rental garage is attached to the airport so there is easy access to grab your rental! The drive is about 1 hour and 15 minutes to Varenna. When you arrive in Varenna there is a convenient parking garage across the street from Villa Cipressi. Things to consider when renting: (1) Get an Automatic! Car rental agencies in Italy default to manual, so you must specify automatic when you book; (2) White-knuckle driving experience! The roads around Lake Como are winding, narrow, with no lines, and chock full of crazy Italian drivers. (3) Sticker Shock at the Pump! Gas prices in Italy are by the liter (not the gallon) so the cost of fuel will be a higher than anticipated expense.

Travel Note

Before You Travel

Tips for Travel: - Book an evening flight so that you arrive in Italy in the morning (this helps with jet lag); - With the continued uncertainty that comes with Covid, we highly recommend you purchase some form of travel insurance; - Although we recommend booking accommodations ASAP for the best price / place, the same does not apply to flight tickets (we recommend waiting until at least 6 months before the wedding before booking a flight so prices aren't inflated); - Make sure your passport does not expire before December 2022; - The hotel / AirBnB you stay in will likely ask to scan your passport and pay a 1 euro / day tourist tax (this is the law and not a scam); - Cash is used much more frequently in Europe, so consider withdrawing 100 euros cash before traveling (we recommend doing this before arriving in Europe due to fees); and - Visit the US Embassy's website for any updates on travel restrictions due to Covid.