Price
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Why Book With Us?

  • Risk Free Booking
  • Experience crafted by locals
  • Customisable tour
  • Also available privately!

Got a Question?

Do not hesitate to give us a call. Whether it’s an inquiry on this tour or a request for customisation, our team of local experts is happy to talk to you!

(+39) 349 560 0603

info@lakecomoforyou.com

Central Lake Tour

Varenna - Villa Balbianello - Bellagio
  • Walking tours of Bellagio and Varenna
  • Relaxing private cruise on a private watertaxi
  • Tasting of olive oil and local delicacies at an original mill
  • The iconic Villa Balbianello and Villa Melzi 

At a glance

A full day tour to discover the “pearls” of the mid-lake area: a perfect combination of local produce tasting, walking in Varenna, enjoying an amazing private cruise, visiting the botanical gardens of Villa Balbianello and of Villa Melzi in Bellagio.

 

This tour is also available on a private basis and can be further customised. Please get in touch!

  • Duration: 7 Hours
  • Min: 2 adults
  • Max: 11 people
  • Adult: 370€
  • Child: (4-12y) 220€
  • Infant (0-3y): 45€

Departing

Risk Free Booking

  • Small 10% deposit asked at booking
  • Shared Tours: 72h Free Cancellation & full refund
  • Private Tours: 15 days free Cancellation & full refund
Itinerary

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. You will then enjoy a guided walking tour of Varenna with its Celtic origins and steep alleys.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant where you will sit and relax while sampling a local appetizer and a pasta dish.

In the afternoon, an amazing private Venetian watertaxi cruise will give you the chance to admire 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, 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”. Take some time to take pictures in its panoramic gardens.

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 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
  • Transfer to the old Mill and back
  • Tasting of delicious local specialties
  • Local lunch: 2 courses, a glass of wine and coffee
  • Private Boat Tour of 2,5 hours with a stop at a Villa
  • Tickets to the gardens of Villa Balbianello & of 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?

  • SHARED TOURS: full payment within 15 days before tour date. Full refund until 72 hours before departure time.
  • PRIVATE TOURS: 10% non-refundable service fee at confirmation. 90% payment by 15 days before tour. Full refund (excluding service fee) until 15 days prior to tour/itinerary start. No refund thereafter.
  • No refunds if you do not turn up for the tour (no-show) (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 72hours notice in case of shared tours.
  • Tours and activities take place rain or shine. If one of our suppliers cancels (i.e. boat), we will do our best to propose an alternative solution. Full refunds will not be guaranteed in case the alternative is not accepted, as some services (i.e. guide, car) might still be due remuneration.
  • Some tours may require a fixed deposit in order to purchase tickets in advance. We will let you know case by case once we receive your request.
  •  A 4% credit card fee will be applied to cc payments. Credit card fees are not refundable.
  •  We encourage travel insurance for all trips.
  • 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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