Suggestions for Trip to Castello’s and Lake Como?

[Mike N]

As a Castello pipe collector, I would love to visit the Lake Como region of Italy and visit the Castello shop in Cantu’ this summer. A visit to Corti pipe shop and Al Pascià in Milan, and maybe a train trip to a shop in Switzerland would be on my bucket list, too. Has anyone taken a vacation to that region who can recommend hotel accommodations and/or a travel agent?

Thanks for any suggestion.

Mike

 

[tobakenist]

Best visit Dublin

 

[Mike N]

Best visit Dublin

Not a very helpful response.

 

[Ahi Ka]

The best bed and breakfast I have ever stayed in was in one of the smaller towns on the northern shores of the lake. I forget it’s name, but you will need a car to get there. I swear there were like a dozen different types of cakes to try…and that was just the first course to go with coffee.

We just used the ferry and to trip between the towns. Bellagio was nice to visit but I’m glad we didn’t stay there. Varrena has a nice monastery with gardens, probably my favourite view of the lake was from a random hotel’s patio bar here. We just got a drink, expensive, but worth it to hang out and enjoy the scenery…and complimentary snacks.

Edit: if you do take a car, driving the roof of Italy is fantastic. We went from Lago di Garda to como. And if you are going as far as Garda, carrying on to check out the scrovegni chapel in Padua is totally worth it if you are into art history.

 

[sparker69]

Was in Milan last year and bought a pipe at Al Pascià - great place!
But went south from there. Stayed in a hotel not far from the central train station. Just booked it myself on booking.com or something like that. Was just there a night to hit the Savinelli store and Al Pascià. Oh - and two tickets to La Scala for opera!

 

[Uguccione]

---

Not a very helpful response.

Maybe he meant Dubini (lol).
For tobacco you absolutely have to go to Switzerland, to Dubini.

 

[VDL_Piper]

I don’t know about travel arrangements but as a fellow collector I have a couple of pipes on my bucket list, rare oddball ones but all shape #33. If you happen upon something unique I will transfer funds quicker than a squirrel in a thunderstorm

 

[ssjones]

Not a very helpful response.

No doubt in jest.

Forum member and Podcast host, Dr. Brian Levine had a travel business, you might want to contact him.

 

[Mike N]

No doubt in jest.

Forum member and Podcast host, Dr. Brian Levine had a travel business, you might want to contact him.

Yep, but increasingly typical of the unfunny, off-topic responses often seen on this site, unfortunately.

Thanks for the advice about asking Brian. I hope to see him in Chicago next month and I’ll inquire.

 

[ssjones]

Yep, but increasingly typical of the unfunny, off-topic responses often seen on this site, unfortunately.

Thanks for the advice about asking Brian. I hope to see him in Chicago next month and I’ll inquire.

After nearly 15 years on pipe forums, I've found each has their own personality. Compared to others, we're fairly neutral here. A few other pipe social sites can have some very sardonic, insider humor that can be hard to follow for new members. I've learned to notch my sensitivity down a bit.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Well said, Al.

I found the quip humorous. Diff folks, diff strokes.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Yep, but increasingly typical of the unfunny, off-topic responses often seen on this site, unfortunately.

Sad you feel that way, but to make a report was more obnoxious. It takes time of folks who donate their time to look at, review and respond to each report.

 

[Mike N]

Sad you feel that way, but to make a report was more obnoxious. It takes time of folks who donate their time to look at, review and respond to each report.

Sorry that I don’t suffer foolish behavior a bit more at my age. I guess in today’s society that’s “my bad.” But then again, I suppose that if someone wants a thread about visiting Dublin, they should start one.

 

[ssjones]

Sorry that I don’t suffer foolish behavior a bit more at my age. I guess in today’s society that’s “my bad.”

On a plus side, sometimes non-contributory messages keep a thread that otherwise might have fallen off, on the top. So, we abide the threads with "my wife doesn't let me smoke in the house, what can I do" Non-helpful answer: "get a new wife". Ah, forum life.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Sorry that I don’t suffer foolish behavior a bit more at my age. I guess in today’s society that’s “my bad.” But then again, I suppose that if someone wants a thread about visiting Dublin, they should start one.

No harm, no foul. But please just skip over posts that rankle.

 

[sparker69]

When you're at Al Pascià - make sure you drop into the Savinelli store as well - it's just up the street.

 

[tobakenist]

Not a very helpful response.

I put a smile on my response.

 

[Mike N]

When you're at Al Pascià - make sure you drop into the Savinelli store as well - it's just up the street.

I did in fact get to visit both Al Pascia and Savinelli this week while in Milan. I posted some photos on the tobacconist thread. As today is our last full day on Lake Como, I’m going to smoke one of my Castello “Lake Como” pipes for the first time.

We are staying here in Como (left bottom on map). The lake is shaped like a wishbone, with Bellagio at the “breaking point.” It’s the most picturesque small town I’ve ever seen. The boat trip was a real treat. On the far right is Lecco (where Luca at Tobbacheria Corti is located). Just south of Como is Cantu, where Castello has its famous shop. Just north of Como is Laglio, where George Clooney has a home. We ate at his favorite restaurant, The Black Cat (Trattoria Al Gato Nero). It’s been a great trip.

I have a table at the Columbus show this week if anyone wants to stop by and see more photos.

 

[sparker69]

I did in fact get to visit both Al Pascia and Savinelli this week while in Milan. I posted some photos on the tobacconist thread. As today is our last full day on Lake Como, I’m going to smoke one of my Castello “Lake Como” pipes for the first time.

We are staying here in Como (left bottom on map). The lake is shaped like a wishbone, with Bellagio at the “breaking point.” It’s the most picturesque small town I’ve ever seen. The boat trip was a real treat. On the far right is Lecco (where Luca at Tobbacheria Corti is located). Just south of Como is Cantu, where Castello has its famous shop. Just north of Como is Laglio, where George Clooney has a home. We ate at his favorite restaurant, The Black Cat (Trattoria Al Gato Nero). It’s been a great trip.

I have a table at the Columbus show this week if anyone wants to stop by and see more photos.

Wow - I'll check out the other post. Very nice purchase! Enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

[drrock]

As a Castello pipe collector, I would love to visit the Lake Como region of Italy and visit the Castello shop in Cantu’ this summer. A visit to Corti pipe shop and Al Pascià in Milan, and maybe a train trip to a shop in Switzerland would be on my bucket list, too. Has anyone taken a vacation to that region who can recommend hotel accommodations and/or a travel agent?

Thanks for any suggestion.

Mike

I haven't used a travel agent in many, many years. When it comes to finding accommodations I'm a big fan of TripAdvisor.com. While it's basically people's opinions as to where to stay, if everyone raves about the place its rate to be disappointed. I've also found that booking directly with the hotel is better than using various websites that do that for you.