Lake Como, Italy

One of Italy’s most sublime settings, Lake Como is ringed with rose-laden belvederes and villas. Our hikes bring us to beautiful vistas on Lake Como and sublime Lake Orta as well as Lake Lugano at the base of the Swiss Alps.

Photo by Ripani Massimo / Fototeca 9x12

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Italy's Lake District

Bellagio and Beyond: Lake Como, Lake Lugano, and Lake Orta

*Early Signup Discount for 2010 Departures

Special Early Signup Discount of $350 per person to the first 6 signups on each 2010 departure when you sign up by March 15, 2010! *New sign-ups only.

Just a mention of the words “Italian lakes”and the imagination conjures snow-capped peaks, long ribbons of deep blue water, and opulent lakeside villas with rose-laden promenades. We explore two legendary mountain lakes in Italy and one in Switzerland on this enchanting journey. Connecting the lakes by ferry, we hike age-old paths to stone hill villages with tiny chapels, walk up to an alpine refuge for spectacular lake views and a delicious lunch of traditional polenta uncia, follow trails to the artists’ colony of Carona, and hike through mystical chestnut woodlands. We’ve chosen the perfect bases for our hikes: magnificent Bellagio on Lake Como, Lugano on Switzerland’s Lake Lugano, and serene Orta San Giulio on romantic Lake Orta.

Highlights

  • Magnificent Bellagio, one of the world’s most beautiful towns
  • Tiny Orta San Giulio, with its cobbled streets and pastel villas
  • Romantic villas with elaborate classical gardens
  • The delights of northern Italian and southern Swiss cuisine, including trailside picnics in idyllic locations

Details

  • 7-day trip begins in Como and ends in Milan
  • 6 nights in charming hotels
  • All meals included except 1 dinner
  • Easy to moderate trails, 3-5 hours a day, van support

Tour Costs

$4495 (11-15 members)
$4895 (6-10 members)

Single supplement: $895
Cinque Terre extension from: $560

Prices are for 2010 dates

Departures & Leaders

May 15-21, 2010  Amy Barnes
   Giampiero Faga
Sep 4-10, 2010  Amy Barnes
   Giampiero Faga
Oct 16-22, 2010  Amy Barnes

*There may be up to 3 leaders on any departure. Please call for details.

Suggested Reading

Reading list, click here.

Itinerary at a Glance
Italy's Lake District route-map

Day 1
Como

We meet in Como, the silk capital of Europe, whose Belle Epoque hotels and grand lakefront promenades lend it a 19th century elegance.

Days 2-3
Bellagio

Boating across the deep green expanses of Lake Como, we visit the entrancing 18th century Villa Balbianello, one of the most romantic settings on the lake, and enjoy a lakeside walk from the high village of Perlo down to Bellagio. Along the way, we see the monumental Villa Melzi gardens, a fine example of neoclassical villa architecture. The next day, we hike up to the mountain refuge of Martina for spectacular lake views and a lunch of local seasonal delicacies that often includes porcini mushrooms, fresh goat cheese, and mountain sweets like miascia, a cake made with fresh mint and walnuts. Afterwards, we visit a private museum in a village home to learn about the lake’s ancient silkworm breeding and silk-spinning culture. Overnights are in magnificent Bellagio, a storybook town of villas and terraced gardens with one of the most dramatic locations in all of Europe. With its flower-filled belvederes and villas, it has been a cherished locale since the days of the Roman Empire.

Day 4
Lugano, Switzerland

Heading across the border to Switzerland, we reach cosmopolitan Lugano, spread along Lake Lugano and framed by emerald green mountains. This famous town is the principal city of Ticino, the Italian canton of Switzerland. We ride the funicular up to San Salvatore, 3,000 feet above Lugano, for a hike on a panoramic trail with magnificent clear-weather views of the lakes and enjoy a delicious picnic next to the Baroque church of San Giorgio en route to the village of Carona.

Days 5-7
Orta San Giulio, Italy

Our grand finale is the hidden gem of Lake Orta, a quiet haven in whose center is a fairytale isle, illuminated and golden at night. One of our hikes from tranquil Orta begins in the medieval village of Cannobio, an independent city-state in the 12th century, and brings us to the small stone village of Carmine Superiore, with its ancient church and fine views over the lake. Our base is enchanting Orta San Giulio, with its cafe-lined piazza set right on the lake. Depart from Milan on Day 7 (or enjoy our self-guided Cinque Terre Extension).

This is the Itinerary-at-a-Glance. For the complete trip description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Cinque Terre Extension
Days 7-10

Hike the dramatic seaside villages of Cinque Terre on our self-guided extension.

Please call us or Download Full Trip Brochure for more information