Lake Como: the pearl of the Italian lakes

Lenno & the beautiful Lake Como and its surrounding mountains

On foot from the Lenno boat pier to the accommodation in Lenno = located 15min walking from the boat pier – Instructions on the roadbook + GPS tracks

You travel on your own to Lenno. Upon arrival, have a stroll through the peaceful village of Lenno. In summer, you can enjoy the small pebble beach by the lake and jump in for a swim.If you arrive in the morning, we recommend starting your walking holiday in Italy with a visit of the gardens of the Villa Balbianello (not included), an elegant and romantic XVIII century residence and one of the settings chosen for the the Star Wars and Casino Royal films! Night: Lenno

Explore the hills of the Azalea Riviera + Villa Carlotta

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 can witness the fantastic contrasts between olive groves and immaculate gardens of the glamorous villas, and medieval villages and stunning Renaissance churches.

Visit of the famous Villa Carlotta (not included). Famous for its beautiful garden: a terraced garden with Italian lemon and carved boxwood, an English garden with voluptuous perspectives, and a rich interior decorated with neoclassical works. Boat transfer back to Lenno

Walk : Lenno / Villa Carlotta | 3h | 10km – 6 miles | Elevation : + 200m/-200m Meals included: breakfast Night: Lenno

Bellagio, the « pearl » of the lake

Boat transfer back & forth from Lenno to Bellagio. Called “the pearl of Lario", "one of the most beautiful sites of the Earth and the most voluptuous of Italy", said the composer Gabriel Fauré. You reach the picturesque village of Pescallo and cross the park of Villa Giolia and then climb to Perlo. Back to Bellagio by the beautiful gardens of Villa Melzi (not included), both rented by Stendhal.

Loop Walk : 4h | 12 km – 7.5 miles |Elevation : + 250m/-250m Meals included: breakfast Night: Lenno

Explore the eastern shores of Lake Como

Boat transfer to Bellano, on the eastern shore of the lake. Today is a lovely walk above the lake, all the way to Varenna a splendid couloured village : the pure “dolce vita” ! The "sentiero del viandante" was traced by the Roman legionaries who reached the great passes of the Alps. It's a gentle climb past the "Orrido di Bellano" (visit is possible), and natural gorges formed in the antiquity. The path then offers panoramic views, passing through the village of Gittana and the Vézio castle (not included) dating back to the 12th century. You end the walk in the pretty village of Varenna, known for its colourful hillside houses. In Varenna, you must visit the Villa Monastero gardens (not included): the villa is surrounded by a botanical garden home to rhododendrons, glycines, magnolias and citrus fruit trees. For the garden enthusiasts you can also visit the Villa Cipressi, dating back to the Renaissance era. Boat back to Lenno.

Walk : Bellano > Varenna | 3h30 | 10 km – 6 miles – Elevation : +250m / Descent: -250m Meals included: breakfast Night: Lenno

Bye Bye Italy

If you did not have a chance to visit the gardens of Villa Balbianello on Day 1 = don’t miss the gardens of the Villa Balbianello, an elegant and romantic XVIII century residence and one of the settings chosen for the the Star Wars and Casino Royal films!

End of the trip after breakfast. You can take the boat to Como, and then the train to Milan Meals included: breakfast