Central Lake Tour

Varenna - Villa Balbianello - Bellagio

Walking tours of Bellagio and Varenna
Relaxing private cruise
Tasting of olive oil and local delicacies at an original mill
The Iconic Villa Balbianello and Villa Melzi

At a glance

A full day guided tour discovering the pearls of Lake Como: walking tours of Bellagio and Varenna, a visit to Villa Balbianello and Villa Melzi, a relaxing private cruise, the sampling of olive oil at an original mill plus tastings of local cheese, cold cuts, wine, fish and pasta

Duration: 7.5 Hours
Min: 2 adults
Max: 10 people
Adult: 255€
Child: (4-12y) 115€
Infant (0-3y): 25€

Risk Free Booking

NO Deposit Asked
NO Credit Card Charge until 2 weeks prior to tour
48h Free Cancellation & full refund
Our guides are trained on all COVID-19 safety guidelines and have hand sanitising available for you to use
All participants are asked to bring a safety mask and to wear it if current protocols require it.

Departing

Meeting Point: Varenna, Ferry Terminal
P.zza Martiri della Libertà Varenna – Italy
Time of departure 10:30 AM
Operating every Tue, Thur, Sat, Sun from March to October

Itinerary

This full day tour will allow you to discover the “pearls” of the mid lake area and view and visit some of the most famous waterfront villas, all accompanied with the tasting of delicious local products.

The tour starts with a trip to a fascinating original mill on the hills above Varenna where you will be offered a tasting of the world famous locally produced olive oil, typical Valsassina cheese, cold cuts and wine followed by a guided walking tour of Varenna with its Celtic origins and steep alleys.

Lunch will be served in a lakefront restaurant where you will sample typical freshwater fish starters and delicious pasta (a non-fish menu will also be available).

An unforgettable private motorboat cruise will give you the chance to relax in the afternoon admiring the spectacular mountains and the stunning villas, once the homes of aristocrats, now the playgrounds for the jet set.

You will disembark at Villa del Balbianello for a guided visit, a real gem not to be missed, stunning shooting location for a number of famous films such as “Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones” and “Casino Royale”.

Afterwards, our motorboat will bring you to Bellagio, where you shall be guided through the wonderful Villa Melzi gardens, followed by a stroll along the lakeside.

The tour will end at approximately 5:30 pm in this world-renowned village, where you are highly recommended to stop for a romantic happy hour or dinner. Our tour guide will suggest the best restaurants and cafes in the area.

Your photos

Before you go

Is Varenna easily reachable?

Varenna is easily reachable from all the main cities on and around Lake Como with train, ferry or car. The meeting and end point are reasonably close and well connected to public transport.

If you are arriving from Como, Cernobbio or Moltrasio we recommend to take the 9:00 am hydrofoil from Como (stopping also in Moltrasio) and disembark in Bellano at 10:04. If this is the case please inform us at least one day before the tour, so that we can organise your pick-up at the ferry terminal in Bellano.

Please email us in case you need further details. We are here to help you reach the departure point and organise a transfer if needed.

What is included?

Local, friendly English speaking licensed guide
Tasting of delicious local specialties
Lake front lunch: starters, pasta dish, water, a glass of wine and coffee
Private Boat Tour
Entrance Fees of Villa Balbianello & Villa Melzi

What is not included?

Hotel pick-up and drop-off is only available upon request and quoted separately
Souvenirs. Our guide will be glad to point you to the best spots to buy local gifts
Extra food & drinks and what is not explicitly listed in the programme must be paid separately

What should I bring and know?

A Water Bottle, alternatively you can purchase one near the meeting point
Comfortable walking shoes and clothes as a fair amount of walking is involved*
Sun hat and sun screen are strongly recommended in summer months
Not wheelchair accessible
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Please remember that bookings are made on a first come, first served basis
This tour is in English. Other languages are available upon request, please contact us

*The trail to the mill where we do the morning tasting entails a descent with some steep steps which must also be ascended on the return trip.

What if it rains?

The tour runs rain or shine, but in case of really bad weather conditions it is possible that the tour undergoes some slight changes and that the transfer to Villa Balbianello is done using public transport and not with the private boat taxi due to safety reasons

What is your cancellation policy?

Free cancellation 48 hours or more before the tour
We charge your credit card approx. 15 days before the tour, no refund will be possible if you cancel later than 2 days (48 hours) before the start of your tour
No refunds if you do not turn up for the tour (our tours start promptly, the guide shall not be able to linger)
If you need to reschedule your booked tour we will do our best to accommodate your request. Please contact us directly by email. In case we cannot meet your needs and you decide to cancel, no refund shall be given for tours that are cancelled with less than 48hours notice
Please refer to our full Terms and Conditions policy here

Is the tour customizable?

Yes! All our itineraries are starting points, created to inspire and give options for a ready to book tour. But we love to design custom experiences for our clients. Whether you just have a special request for us or need a private, fully made-to-measure experience, let us know! We can design an itinerary just for you.

Please Contact us

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