Booking the right hire car

Most of the roads around Varese are well maintained. So if you are planning longer tours by hire car, you can confidently go for a larger and more comfortable car to enjoy the trips in a relaxed way.

Insuring the car properly

Especially in metropolises like Milan, the road traffic is raging. An accident can happen quickly there. In case of damage, you are well insured if you have booked a car with comprehensive insurance without excess. In the case of liability, it is important to ensure that the sum insured is at least one million euros. After all, if people are injured in an accident, you will often be faced with high costs. If the amount of coverage of your rental company seems too low, you can provide additional protection with a so-called Mallorca policy. Your insurance company will be happy to advise you.

Accessories

If you need accessories such as a navigation device or child seats, you must always order the desired equipment separately from your rental company. Make a reservation well in advance to ensure that the items are available on the day of the rental.

Tank control

Especially in Milan, some hire car companies require their customers to buy the first tank of fuel for a sometimes high service charge. The car can then be returned with an empty tank. But as you will never manage to drive the car really empty before returning it, you should rather book with a rental company where you take over the car with a full tank and return it with a full tank. This will save you the service charge and the cost of the remaining petrol.

Customer Satisfaction Hire Car

Especially in Milan, many customers complain about the exterior condition of the vehicles. If you notice damage such as dents or scratches on your vehicle when you pick it up, you should have all defects confirmed in writing in a defect report. Keep the document in a safe place so that you are not held liable for damage that you did not cause when you return the vehicle.

Sights in Varese

Pilgrimage trail Sacro Monte di Varese: richly decorated chapels
A hike along the Sacro Monte di Varese pilgrimage trail could be the start of a visit to the city. The trail passes 14 ornate 17th-century chapels, always heading toward the summit of Monte Campo di Fiori. Inside the chapels, which are latticed but easy to see, you will find the statues of saints. In the last chapel along the way, the Santuario di Santa Maria del Monte, there is an image of the Black Madonna. Here the pilgrims have reached their destination. In 2003, UNESCO declared the Sacro Monte di Varese a World Heritage Site.
If you want to climb all the way up the mountain where the Sacro Monte di Varese was created, you should be in a bit of shape. There are still around 400 metres of altitude to climb to the summit at 1226 metres. But the effort is worth it. At the top you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the surroundings.

Basilica San Vittore: magnificent nave
Back in the city, you could first visit the Basilica San Vittore. This was built from the 16th to the 17th century. The facade looks austere in its neoclassical style, but the interior is magnificently decorated. Especially the dome and the ceiling paintings are colourfully designed.

Battisterio di San Giovanni: Romanesque gem
Next stop on your city stroll could be the Battisterio di San Giovanni. The baptistery was built from the 12th to the 13th century in the Romanesque architectural style. Unfortunately, the church is often locked. Check with the tourist information office IAT for opening hours.

Giardini Estense: Enchanting Park
The Giardini Estense is a great place to relax. The beautiful parks were laid out in the 18th century on the model of the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace. Here you can stroll along wide paths and enjoy the well-tended nature.

Villa Menafoglio-Litta-Panza: Modern Works of Art
The end of the city stroll is a visit to the Villa Menafoglio-Litta-Panza. Here you will find a large exhibition of modern art.

Find a good hotel

Some good hotels in Varese vie for the favor of guests. You might book your room at the Hotel Bologna. Here you’ll stay very centrally in the historic centre and enjoy warm service and comfortable rooms.

Suggestion for a trip by hire car

Como: Magnificent Cathedral
A trip by hire car could take you first to Como. The elegant city is great for shopping, but there are also plenty of sights to discover. You might first direct your steps to the Broletto. The former town hall was built in the 13th century and impresses with its magnificent façade. You can admire an interesting mix of Gothic and Renaissance styles when you then visit the Cathedral of Santa Maggiore right next to the Broletto. Especially the magnificent nave with its richly decorated ceiling takes the visitor’s breath away. A model work of the Lombard Romanesque awaits you when you visit the Basilica of Sant'Abbondio at the end of your visit. There are enchanting 14th-century frescoes in the apse.

Campione d'Italia: Huge Casino
Things get much more worldly when you now steer the hire car to Campione d'Italia, which you can reach in just over half an hour. Campione d'Italia is home to the largest casino in Europe. In the building complex, which was opened in 2005, numerous gambling rooms await you in which you can try your luck at slot machines, poker or even at the roulette table.

Luino: Lively market hustle
With hopefully big winnings in your pockets, you can now head for Luino, the last destination of your trip. In three quarters of an hour you will be there. The lively Luino is picturesquely situated at the Lago Maggiore and offers a pretty old town whose visit is worthwhile especially on Wednesday. Because that’s when the traditional weekly market, whose origins date back to the 16th century, takes place from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.