Things to do in

Varenna

Enjoy a memorable full-day trip by luxury bus to Lake Como, world famous for its beautiful villas and gardens. You’ll have a chance to admire the 3 branches of the lake, each with different landscapes. Stop in the town of Como for a walking tour of the city center and a visit to the neoclassical Villa Olmo and its lovely Italian garden. Next, take a relaxing cruise on the lake by private boat, and enjoy the spectacular views. Visit the colorful villages of Bellagio and Varenna. Take a walk along narrow cobblestoned streets and enjoy the charming surroundings.

Arrive at the home of your expert host for a memorable private dining experience where you will taste authentic recipes treasured in family cookbooks passed down by real Italian mothers. During an exclusive cooking demonstration, feel the warmth of Italian hospitality as your host shares the secrets of her family cookbook while preparing the dishes right in front of you. Once the end result is ready, sit at an authentic Italian dining table and enjoy your 4-course seasonal menu including a starter, pasta, main course with side dish, and dessert.

Immerse yourself in a cooking class at a local home, learning the secrets of the most famous dishes of regional cuisine and taste the fruit of your labour accompanied by local wines. Throughout the lesson, your cook will reveal the tricks of the trade for 3 authentic local recipes. You can have fun putting your cooking skills to the test, and will also have a workstation equipped with utensils and all the ingredients to make the dishes. Next, taste everything you have prepared accompanied by a selection of local wines. Instead of loading your suitcase with souvenirs, take home Italian cooking skills that will stay with you for life.

Experience a more idyllic side of Italy on this day trip to Lake Como. Admire the enchanting shoreline studded by historical villas and dainty towns that are favored by the rich and famous. Meet your group in Milan and treat all five senses to a day of luxury. Reach the city of Como by a Mercedes minivan, driven by your guide, who will point out the best scenes along the way. Upon arrival, enjoy a walking tour of the elegant streets, while admiring historic landmarks. Learn about the area's Catholic roots at Basilica di San Fedele and Como Cathedral. After soaking in some local culture, set off on your cruise. Enjoy the sway of Lake Como's vast, calm waters, gently ruffled by soft breezes. Discover the finest sights in the region of Lombardy, as the horizon is framed by mountains, including the snow-peaked Alps. Stop at the charming towns of Bellagio and Varenna for a pleasant stroll and tastings of local products. Indulge yourself with a relaxed lunch and wine tasting, before the ride back to Milan.

You cannot leave Lake Como without having visited its “pearl” and its “diamond”: Bellagio and Varenna.Bellagio is a one-of-a-kind location, also thanks to its position: from there, one can embrace the horizon almost completely! After visiting it, you will do a fantastic boat tour on the centre of the lake, where the views will leave you breathless. You will reach Varenna, a suggestive fishing hamlet to visit slowly, walking romantically along the lakeside. Our driver will takes you to the Castle of Vezio, located on top of the hill behind the village. This Castle will take you back in time with its unique atmosphere. Cross the old drawbridge and be ready for a medieval adventure! You may also climb up the tower to enjoy a 360-degrees view, one of the best panoramas of Lake Como. In the middle of the beautiful olive garden of the Castle or on the beautiful terrace overlooking the lake, you will have a rich aperitif with local products.

Leave the hustle and bustle of Milan behind you on a journey to Lake Como and Lake Lugano. Sit back and relax on a tranquil boat cruise, explore charming lakeside villages with your licensed guide, and make your way into Switzerland all in one day. After your picturesque bus ride from Milan, hop on a bus and make your way to Varenna, a small fishing village. Varenna is located on the eastern side of Lake Como and from its shores you can clearly admire the cape of Bellagio — one of the most beautiful towns on the lake. In Varenna, follow your guide on a stroll to discover and experience all this town has to offer. Marvel at the famous red fenced promenade, the Walk of Lovers, with its steep alleys and charming corners; the mountain views; and the colorful village houses. Get onboard a boat for a 15-minute ride to Bellagio. Here, take the time to explore and walk through the town at your own pace with recommendations from your guide about local restaurants and shops. Next, go on a panoramic private boat tour to the center of Lake Como. Admire the blue waters of the lake surrounded by traditional villas, such as Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbianello; colorful lake towns; and surrounding mountains. Then, dock at Tremezzo, where your bus would be waiting for you to take you to Lugano in neighboring Switzerland. Relax and enjoy the scenic ride while gazing at the alpine mountain ranges from your bus. In less than an hour, you're in Switzerland, where you will be able to admire the second lake of the day. Discover the beauty of Lake Lugano and its elegance and cleanliness with its picturesque views. Indulge in some famous Swiss chocolates and enjoy some shopping before heading back to Milan.

Experience Lake Como like a real VIP with a half-day intimate boat tour. The tour offers an intimate experience on an exclusive boat just fro your group. Jump onboard a beautiful Venetian-style boat and prepare for a 4-hour tour, without the stress of a large tour group or tour guide. In Varenna, stop for a 15-minute coffee break before beginning the best part of the cruise: a journey through the extravagant villas, such as Villa Carlotta, Villa Balbianello, Villa La Cassinella, and many other beautiful architectural wonders and stunning landscapes. Don’t forget to toast to life with a glass of prosecco while you stare at this romantic view. Next, admire the beauty of Isola Comacina, a little island rich in history and nature before arriving in Bellagio, "The Pearl of Lake Como". Here, enjoy an hour of free time to explore the city at your own pace before beginning the journey back to the meeting point.

Go shopping in the vibrant local market with a friendly host, and learn how to recognize the best produces of Italy. After you buy some fresh ingredients, you'll head straight to your host's home for an immersive cooking session. Learn how to prepare three of the most authentic local recipes and taste the fruit of your labor accompanied by a selection of local wines. You will have a workstation equipped with utensils and all the ingredients required to make the dishes. Experience the warmth of Italian hospitality and return home with something more than just souvenirs — classic Italian cooking knowledge that will stay with you for life.

Make a beautiful meal and a beautiful memory with a market tour and home-cooked dinner hosted by a local chef. Arrive at the home of your expert cook. Explore the market and shop like a local. Learn how to recognize the best produce. Afterward, return to your host’s home and enjoy a private cooking demonstration. Gain insight into Italian cuisine as your host reveals the secrets of her family’s cookbook. Watch as a delicious meal is prepared before your eyes. Once the food is ready, sit down at an authentic Italian dinner. Enjoy a 4-course seasonal menu including a starter, pasta, main course with a side dish, and dessert. Chat with your host as you share a delicious meal together. Enjoy a selection of red and white wines from regional cellars, as well as an after-dinner coffee. Feel the warmth of Italian hospitality as you connect with local people.

Spend an enjoyable 4 days and 3 nights touring the lakes region of northern Italy. Admire the scenic beauty of the area as you tour by land and water. Visit lovely lakeside villages and islands and explore the historic city of Verona on a guided tour. Day 1: Milan, Lake Orta, Stresa, Como Depart Milan at 08:30 for the drive to Lake Orta, a small, charming lake situated in the north-eastern part of the Piedmont region. Stop in the beautiful village of Orta San Giulio for a short visit. Then take a boat to the island of San Giulio, the gem of the lake that is almost entirely occupied by the Mater Ecclesie Monastery. After a short visit, you’ll take the ferry back to Orta, and travel by bus to Stresa, on Lake Maggiore, one of the largest of Italy’s lakes. Arrive in Stresa, an international tourist resort, where you’ll enjoy free time for lunch, and in the afternoon take a tour of Pescatori island by boat. Continue to Bella Island, where you can visit Borromeo Palace with its magnificent gardens. Return to Stresa before heading on to Como. Overnight in Como. Day 2: Como, Bellagio, Varenna, Bergamo, Brescia Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, followed by a short visit to Como. Take in views of the high mountain overlooking the lake, the wild alpine valley, and the surrounding villages. On Lake Como you’ll board a boat to take you to Bellagio, located at the tip of the peninsula that separates the lake's 2 southern arms. You’ll have views of the Alps across the lake to the north. There will be free time for lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll depart by boat for Varenna. After a panoramic tour you’ll continue on to Bergamo. Enjoy a short walking tour of the city center before heading to Brescia. Overnight in Brescia. Day 3: Brescia, Sirmione, Riva Del Garda, Verona You’ll depart Brescia for Lake Garda after breakfast. Enjoy a panoramic tour along the western coast of the largest of the Italian lakes. Admire the splendid natural landscapes surrounded by the Dolomites of Brenta to the north and gentle sloping hills to the south. When you arrive in Sirmione you’ll have the best panoramic views of the lake. Take a boat tour and admire the Sirmione Cape, the castle, and the Grotto of Catullo. Depart for Riva del Garda on the north side of the lake. Visit its historic center with free time for lunch before the drive to Verona. Overnight in Verona. Day 4: Verona, Milan After breakfast at the hotel you’ll tour the famous city of Verona, a work of art in itself. This fascinating crossroads of historical periods and cultures is a blend of Nordic and Mediterranean influences. See traces of its splendid Roman origins, its prevailing medieval structures, its magnificent Renaissance palaces, and impressive fortifications. You’ll have free time for lunch before departing for Milan in the afternoon.