Enjoy two of Italy’s greatest lakes on our Lake Como and Lake Maggiore Escorted Tour. Begin your adventure in Lake Como arriving in the beautiful town of Varenna. Here you can enjoy exploring the charming villas and gardens before dining in a local restaurant to savour the flavours of Italy. Then step aboard a private boat to continue your journey across the lake to visit the stunning Villa Balbianello with its stunning architecture and sensational views. Then it’s on to Bellagio, the “Pearl of Lake Como” where you can wander through the pretty streets, soaking up the atmosphere.
When your time in Lake Como comes to an end, you will head to Lake Maggiore to admire the beauty of the lake with its charming lakeside towns and mesmerising views of the Borromean Islands. Enjoy a private boat tour of the islands renowned for their lush gardens and intricate architecture before heading back home.
Please be advised that our escorted tours are dependent on minimum numbers. The minimum numbers on all tours is 6. Please speak to our Italy experts for more information.
Due to the amount of walking and steps involved with this tour, it is not suitable for people with walking difficulties.
2024 Tour departures
Arrive on beautiful Lake Como and check into hotel Royal Victoria in Varenna. Spend the afternoon at leisure to explore this charming town and perhaps consider a visit to the nearby Villa Cipressi and its beautiful gardens. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
After breakfast meet your guide who will be with you all week as you explore the charming villas and gardens of Lake Como and Lake Maggiore. With your guide you will board a public boat to Villa Carlotta and visit its world-famous gardens and villa. Once you have admired its beauty you will board a private boat for your onward journey along the lake where you will arrive at the stunning Villa Balbianello, a breathtaking villa located on a peninsula of Lake Como. Explore its immaculate gardens, terraces and interiors which have featured in several movies, including James Bond's "Casino Royale" whilst on your guided tour.
Return to Varenna by private boat and enjoy dinner at the Royal Victoria.
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After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel to board the public boat to Bellagio. The true beauty of the lake can be appreciated as you take the short journey to this stunning promontory, Bellagio is often described as the "Pearl of Lake Como" with its cobbled streets and lake front restaurants. Visit the 18th-century Villa Melzi and its stunning gardens, followed by free time to explore the charming town of Bellagio, the perfect time for a spot of lunch. After, board the public boat back to Varenna and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
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Say goodbye to Lake Como as you depart for the next destination, Lake Maggiore. You will arrive in the town of Stresa around midday, just in time to enjoy some lunch before having the rest of the day at leisure. Get to know your surroundings by exploring Stresa and admire the beautiful views towards the Borromean Islands or simply relax by the pool.
Alternatively, you may like to take the boat across the lake and explore the botanical gardens of Villa Taranto or visit the famous Villa Pallavicino in Stresa, which is home to a beautiful park, wildlife reserve, and botanical gardens.
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Today will certainly be a highlight as you visit the stunning Borromean Islands of Isola Bella and Isola Madre by private boat. The islands are renowned for their immaculate gardens and beautiful architecture. Isola Bella offers stunning Baroque architecture and is famous across the world for its Italian gardens. Isola Madre was first cultivated at the beginning of the 16th century, when the Borromeo family, impressed by the exceptionally mild climate on the island, began to introduce citrus trees and vines. During the nineteenth century, the orchard gradually evolved into landscaped botanical gardens. After, you will return to Stresa by private boat where you can enjoy your last evening of the tour at leisure.
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Time to depart back to the UK or to your next destination in Italy!
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