Lake Como is a gem you are sure to fall in love with - it has been the choice holiday destination for the rich and famous since Roman times, when aristocrats were seduced by the lavish villas, magnificent gardens and stunning Alpine views. Today it remains a holiday favourite of George Clooney and Richard Branson who are drawn to its beautiful scenery and exquisite location.
Your own lake shore hotel, nestled in a small village, sets the scene from which you will cruise across the lake enjoying its panoramic vistas of the Alps. Disembarking, you discover the hinterland's fantastic network of ancient mule tracks and trails, linking lake shore with mountains and pretty medieval villages with a host of spectacular villas and their Italiante gardens including Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbaniello. Meander through orchards and olive groves at your own pace soaking up the wonderful Riviera atmosphere against the dramatic backdrop of the Italian Alps and the shimmering waters of Lake Como.
We have specially designed this trip with flexibility in mind, providing you with a selection of gentle walks that you can complete in any order.
Holiday details
Price
- Classic
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from £615 – £1,030 per person
- Luxury
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from £2,610 per person
Based on two people sharing a room. Price range due to seasonal variations
What’s included?
Boat transfers as detailed on walking days. See what’s included as standard
Duration
4 nights
Start & Finish
Starts daily from 1st March to 31st October in Como. Como has a direct rail connection to Milan and regular boats taking 1.5 hours to Bellagio and Lenno. Some gardens may not be open at start and end of season - check on booking.
Hotels
- Classic
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A 4* hotel in the village of Lenno
- Luxury
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A 5* historic palace in the village of Bellagio
Holiday type
Self-guided
This tour is priced without a guide and you are free to explore on your own. If you would like a guide for part or all of your trip, we are happy to provide a knowledgeable, local guide
Activity level
Gentle walking (1) More info...
Mileage
3 days of walking 3 - 4.9 miles (5 - 8 km)
Terrain
Relatively flat walking on lake and mountain trails and cobbled streets with some ups and downs.
Options
- upgrade to our Luxury/Tip Top Hotels based in Bellagio
- add an extra 3 nights with walks around Lake Maggiore - classic from £1920 for 7 nts. Luxury/Tip Top available on request.
Itinerary day-by-day
Classic
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1. Day one
Arrive Lenno, Lake Como
Arrive in Lenno by boat (1 hour 30 minutes from Como) where you will be based for the next 4 days. Check into your hotel, relax and enjoy the beautiful gardens of Villa Balbianello. This magnificent estate was once home to a Milanese Industrialist and passionate adventurer. You may also like to take a stroll or enjoy a refreshing dip in the lake - there is a small pebble beach 5 minutes from your hotel.
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2. Day two
Lenno to the Hills of the Azalea Riviera and back
From Lenno your walk will take you through the hills of the Azalea Riviera providing stunning panoramas of the lake and surrounding mountains. Along the way you witness the fantastic contrasts between olive groves and the immaculate gardens of the glamorous villas, between medieval villages and stunning Renaissance churches. Your walk finishes at the Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo. This villa is famous for its beautiful terraces, complete with Italian lemon and carved boxwood, a delightful English garden and an amazing interior decorated with neoclassical works. Enjoy a boat transfer back to Lenno at the end of this wonderful day.
3 miles (5 km)
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3. Day three
Lenno to Bellagio and Perlo and back
Take a boat to the Bellagio Peninsula, the start of today's walk, which was once described by composer Gabriel Fauré as “the pearl of Lario", "one of the most voluptuous sites of Italy". Your walk takes you to the picturesque village of Pescallo where you can amble through the park of Villa Giolia and then climb to Perlo for breathtaking views. Heading back to Bellagio you explore the beautiful gardens of Villa Melzi. You are in good company as Stendhal rented this and villa Giolia. Enjoy a return boat ride back to Lenno.
4.9 miles (8 km)
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4. Day four
Lenno to Bellano and Varenna and back:
Take a 30 minute boat ride to Bellano, on the eastern shore of the lake. Your walk takes you above the lake along a panoramic trail past the castle of Vézio. Head on to the beautiful village of Varenna, with its colourful houses dotted across the hillside - a true taste of the 'dolce vita'! Here you can visit the gardens of the Villa Monastero, famous for its avenue of rhododendrons, wisteria and large magnolias, and the gardens of the Villa Cipressi. Return from Varenna by boat back to Lenno.
4.3 miles (7 km)
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5. Day five
Depart Lenno
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and take a final stroll along the lake shore before your onward journey from Lenno. There is a regular boat back to Como.
Luxury
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1. Day one
Arrive Bellagio, Lake Como
Arrive in Bellagio by boat (1 hour 30 minutes from Como) and make your way to your hotel where you will be based for the next 4 days. Your wonderful villa hotel is a charming place to relax and enjoy the gardens. You may like to take a stroll along the lakeside or enjoy a refreshing dip in the hotel's lake side pool.
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2. Day two
Bellagio to Perlo and back
Composer Gabriel Fauré once described the Bellagio peninsula as “the pearl of Lario", "one of the most voluptuous sites of Italy". Today your walk leads you through Bellagio to the picturesque village of Pescallo where you can amble through the delightful park of Villa Giolia before climbing to Perlo for breathtaking views. Heading back to Bellagio you can explore the beautiful gardens of Villa Melzi. You are in good company as Stendhal rented both this and Villa Giolia.
4.9 miles (8 km)
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3. Day three
Bellagio to the Hills of the Azalea Riviera and back
Start the day with a boat ride to Lenno. Visit the beautiful gardens of Villa Balbianello, once magnificent home to a Milanese Industrialist and passionate adventurer. From here, your walk takes you through the hills of the Azalea Riviera providing stunning panoramas of the lake and surrounding mountains. Along the way you witness the fantastic contrasts between olive groves and the immaculate gardens of glamorous villas, between medieval villages and stunning Renaissance churches. Your walk finishes at the Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo. This villa is famous for its beautiful terraces, complete with Italian lemon and carved boxwood, a delightful English garden and an amazing interior decorated with neoclassical works. Enjoy a boat trip back to Bellagio at the end of this wonderful day.
3 miles (5 km)
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4. Day four
Bellagio to Bellano and Varenna and back
Take a 30 minute boat ride to Bellano, on the eastern shore of the lake. Your walk takes you above the lake along a panoramic trail past the castle of Vézio. Head on to the beautiful village of Varenna, with its colourful houses dotted across the hillside - a true taste of the 'dolce vita'! Here you can visit the gardens of the Villa Monastero, famous for its avenue of rhododendrons, wisteria and large magnolias, and the gardens of the Villa Cipressi. Take the boat back from Varenna to Bellagio.
4.3 miles (7 km)
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5. Day five
Depart Bellagio
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and take a final stroll along the lake shore before your onward journey from Bellagio. There is a regular boat back to Como.