At a Glance
Explore one of the world’s most picturesque and breathtaking regions on this 6-day self-guided walking adventure. Be enchanted by Italy’s Lake Como and Bellagio from quaint villages, lavish villas and magnificent gardens; as you are romanced away by its serene alpine vistas and serene lakeside tranquility.
You begin your journey in Milan where you will make your own way to Lake Como in the charming small village of Lenno, your base for the trip. Spend your days mesmerised by quaint villages to lavish villas and spectacular gardens as you walk a network of trails and ancient mule tracks boasting panoramic views of the lake and Italy’s alpine vistas. You’ll traverse iconic elegant villas and gardens including Villa Carlotta, Villa Balbianello, Villas Melzo and Villa Monastero, marvel at each unique sanctuary of ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 5 nights boutique accommodation on a twin share basis
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Boat tickets on Lake Como: Carlotta-Lenno, Lenno-Bellagio return, Lenno-Bellano, Varenna-Lenno
- Roadbook with detailed notes and highlighted maps
- Map of Lake Como
- Return private transfers between Milan centre and Lenno
Itinerary
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Arrive in Milan centre where you’ll be transferred to the shore of Lake Como in the charming small village of Lenno, your base for the next 5 nights. You’ll stay at a delightful handpicked boutique hotel overlooking Lake Como dating back to the early 1900s. Savour serene views directly overlooking the bay of the Gulf of Venus in Lenno and surrounded by an almost fairy-like landscape. Unwind on the sun terrace and sauna boasting spectacular lake views or laze by the pool complete with sunbeds. Take a lovely stroll to the nearby pebbled beach just metres away from the hotel. |
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For those in pursuit of some adventure, visit the beautiful gardens of Villa Balbianello at your own leisure (entrance ticket at own expense). Admire this elegant and romantic 18th century mansion and its magnificent garden which have hosted writers, scholars and have been used in several films. Marvel at beautiful terraced gardens, balconies and picturesque structure with lovely views across Lake Como. |
Albergo Lenno
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Walk Lenno / Villa Carlotta, Approx. 9 km (5.6 miles), 3 hours walking, Easy grade, Elevation Gain: 200m (656 ft) Enjoy a lake view breakfast before setting foot through the serene hills of the Azalea Riviera. Be swept away by the breathing panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Along your journey, marvel at the constantly changing scenery from olive groves, immaculate gardens of exquisite villas, charming medieval villages and impressive Renaissance churches. Cap off your walking adventure in the charming town of Tremezzo, on the west side of Como. Here, you’ll explore the most famous of the villas of northern Italy, Villa Carlotta (entrance fee at own expense). Admire a unique sanctuary of art and beauty matched with its magnificent botanical specimens, interior decorated with neoclassical works and art masterpieces in over 70,000 square metres of gardens and museum. Embark on a boat transfer back to Lenno and spend the rest of the evening unwinding at your own leisure. |
Albergo LennoBreakfast |
Loop Walk Bellagio, Approx. 12 km (7.5 miles), 4 hours walking, Easy grade, Elevation Gain: 250m (820 ft) Savour a delicious breakfast before taking another serene boat transfer to the picturesque, ‘pearl of Lake Como,’ the Bellagio Peninsula. Journey by foot through narrow alleys and a stairway that crosses the promontory to the quaint peaceful village of Pescallo. You will be enchanted by this ancient little hamlet with few houses, a cobblestone road and a small port filled with colourful boats. Traverse the park of Villa Giolia before climbing to Perlo. |
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Your walk ends at the delightful botanical gardens of Villa Melzi (entrance fee at own expense), designed by architect Luigi Canonica and agronomist Luigi Villoresi. Immerse in an enchanting walk in its gardens and enjoy the perfect balance between architecture and natural beauty. Along the way, admire elegant terraces and statues paced in flower-beds and a long avenue of exotic plants. Close your walking adventure with a serene half an hour boat ride back to Lenno. |
Albergo LennoBreakfast |
Loop Bellano / Varenna, Approx. 10 km (6.2 miles), 3.5 hours walking, Easy grade, Elevation Gain: 300m (984ft) Today, you’ll explore the eastern shores of Lake Como by beginning with a 30 minutes boat transfer. A lovely trail takes you above the lake and all the way into the most romantic village of Italy, Varenna, ‘the pure dolce vita!’. Walk on a panoramic trail from the picturesque fishing village of Bellano before traversing a steep cobblestone path to the military fortress, Castello di Vezio, offering sweeping views over Lake Como (entrance fee at own expense). The 13th century building was once part of a chain of early-warning medieval watchtowers. Your walk ends in the lovely village and colourful houses on the hillside of Varenna. Marvel at the gardens of Villa Monastero (entrance ticket at own expense) boasting a splendid botanical garden of rhododendrons, wisteria and large magnolias that surround it and extend for almost 2km along the lakeshore. Delve deeper into its natural beauty with an exploration of the gardens of Villa Cipressi, a Moorish-style historic residence that has been a symbol of excellence in hospitality and catering for poets, nobles, and rulers for centuries (entrance at own expense). Return to Lenno on a 40 minutes serene boat transfer. |
Albergo LennoBreakfast |
Walk Lenno – San Benedetto abbey – Sanctuary Madonna del Soccorso – Lenno, Approx. 12 km (7.5 miles), 4 hours walking, Easy grade, Elevation Gain: 600m (1969ft) Today, walk on a panoramic trail climbing above Lenno with breathtaking views and traverse a lush forest leading to the San Benedetto Abbey, dating back to the 11th century. Here, explore sacred places rich in artistic and architectural beauty with centuries of history perched at 800m in the heart of the countryside. Journey on a steep descent arriving on the other side to the village of Ossuccio. Explore Madonna del Sasso Sanctuary, a place of meditation and pilgrimage for centuries perched precariously on a granite cliff with splendid lake views. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sacred Mont of Ossuccio, dating from the 17the century, and admire its 14 chapels and 230 life size statues. Your walk continues back to Lenno by the lakeshore. |
Albergo LennoBreakfast |
Enjoy a leisurely lakeside breakfast and unwind by the picturesque seaside terrace before a final stroll along the lake shore, a great opportunity to reflect on your breathtaking adventure. You’ll be transferred back to Milan centre for your onward journey. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
NoneBreakfastDates & Prices
Daily departure on request. Please contact us for group bookings. Peak/festival season surcharge applies.
More Info
- The departure and finish point is Milano Centrale Train Station
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Lake Como. The nearest major airport is Lugano Airport which has domestic flights from Lugano, Switzerland and is 40 km from the center of Lake Como. Another major airport is Il Caravaggio International Airport which has international and domestic flights from Bergamo, Italy and is 66 km from Lake Como. Linate Airport has international and domestic flights from Milan, Italy and is 92 km from Lake Como. Milano Malpensa Airport has international and domestic flights from Milan, Italy and is 100 km from Lake Como.
In Como, located at 200 meters (650 feet) above sea level in northern Italy, there is a humid temperate climate. Summer in the Italian Lakes region is typically mild and warm. At lake level, temperatures are pleasant on most days; in the pre-Alps it can be significantly cooler. Be sure to bring a lightweight jacket for chilly mornings and evenings. We recommend that you dress in layers for our hikes since weather conditions and temperatures can change as we ascend and descend. Rain showers are possible year-round, so don’t forget to come prepared with quality rain gear.
Boat ticket: boat tickets on the lake are booked for a specific date that cannot be changed. Changes to the boat ticket date will result to purchasing a new ticket
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A single supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 90 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 90 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 90 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 90 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
