Varenna tour(4 H) speed boat Bellagio and Varenna

VILLA ERBA Villa Erba was built by the noble Erba family at the beginning of the 1900s. It is used for events and weddings and it is also an exhibition center. A glass complex put in a huge park is used for large events and fairs. Normally it is closed to the public and you can visit the villa only on the occasion of special events.The villa can be admired by boat from the lake.

Villa d’Este is a wonderful 5-star hotel, one of the best in Italy. Built in the late 1500s, at the end of the 1800s it was converted into a hotel. Villa d’ Este has hosted the most famous politicians and actors of the world. With classic style, it allows guests to experience an atmosphere of other times.

MOLTRASIO, CARATE URIO AND LAGLIO In these three little villages there are a lot of 18th and 19th century villas. The best way to enjoy them is from the lake by boat. Villa Oleandra is famous because is the George Clooney house in Como, where he usually spends his summer holidays. Villa Fontanelle is another very famous and beautiful estate (it was once Versace’s villa).

NESSO Nesso is halfway along the road that connects Como with Bellagio. Doubtless is one of the most peculiar villages on Lake Como. The characteristic of Nesso is the Orrido. It is a beautiful waterfall coming down from the mountain into the lake. The best way to admire this corner of paradise is approaching it by boat. You will be able to enjoy the power of the water almost touching it by your hands.

Comacina Island it was formerly a Roman fort and then a medieval settlement. It is the only island on Lake Como, it forms with the lakeshore a small and peaceful bay. You can visit the ruins following a walk through the woods but you have to pay an entrance ticket. Obviously, you can get to the island by ferry or private boat. La Locanda dell’Isola is a famous restaurant where you can taste the local specialties.

Definitely the most spectacular place on Lake Como is Villa Balbianello. It is located on a promontory overlooking the whole lake and its architecture is perfectly integrated with nature. Now known to be the Lake Como Star Wars Villa, Villa Balbianello was originally a monastery. It was the home of cardinals and noble families. The villa inside is a museum with souvenirs from worldwide. The villa owner was Monzino a famous explorer, so a lot of souvenirs from his explorations are exposed in it. The villa is also famous because many scenes from the film Star Wars Episode II were shot there. In 2006 it was also the location set for the movie James Bond Casino Royale. Today the villa is part of the Italian Environmental Fund; the gardens and the interior of the villa can be visited paying a ticket. The villa can also be rented for private events and weddings. If you want live one of the most romantic experience of your life please make sure to arrive to the villa with a private boat.

It is in the center of the lake and divides the east from the west branch. It is a picturesque location and the most famous village in Lake Como. Bellagio name derives from the Latin bi-lacus – “between the lakes”: Bellagio is, in fact, located on the promontory that divides the two branches of the lake. It is characterized by alleys full of typical shops climbing up the promontory. Villa Melzi and Villa Serbelloni are the two famous villas open to public that are located here. The road from Como to Bellagio is scenic but particularly narrow and busy so it takes about an hour by car to get to Bellagio although it is only 30 km away from Como. For this reason, if you want to visit Bellagio the most comfortable and scenic way is renting a boat. Private boats and ferries connect Bellagio with the whole lake.

VILLA MELZI - Bellagio Built by Duke Melzi in the 1800s, Villa Melzi can be reached on foot from the center of Bellagio. The interior of the villa is closed, but you can visit enormous and beautiful garden.

VILLA SERBELLONI - Bellagio Originally built by the noble Serbelloni family, the villa is now part of the Rockefeller foundation. You can visit the park of Villa Serbelloni exclusively with a guide and takes about two hours. Getting the extreme point that divides the two branches of the lake walking into the park watching native and exotic vegetation is a gorgeous experience.

PESCALLO AND PUNTA SPARTIVENTO Pescallo is a fishing village that can be reached in a quarter of an hour from the center of Bellagio. Typical lake Como village Pescallo is a painting of rare beauty. Punta Spartivento is the point where the lake divides exactly into two branches. Here, you can enjoy a beautiful panorama with the alps background. Easily reachable on foot, 10 minutes from Bellagio center.

TREMEZZO - VILLA CARLOTTA Tremezzo is a small little village which overlooks Bellagio. It is famous for two big villas, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, a nice 5 star luxury hotel, and Villa Carlotta, a villa open to public, with a beautiful garden.

Varenna is a splendid village, located in the Lecco branch of the lake, rich in art and history treasures, for example the Vezio Castle, with the mighty tower dominating the village of Varenna, the Gardens of Villa Cipressi and Villa Monastero, the Source of the Fiumelatte, the Sentiero del Viandante, the Riva Grande, and finally the Passerella degli Innamorati.

BLEVIO E TORNO Blevio and Torno are on the right side of the lake northwards after Como town. In this area there are many villas from different ages. Among the most important, Villa Troubetzkoy, belonged to a Russian prince. Villa Roccabruna, which has been recently converted in a hotel: the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Villa Pliniana a very old villa(1500) located in a magnificent place. The villa hosted Napoleon, Stendhal, opera composers as Bellini, Rossini and Liszt. Villa Pliniana is now part of the American group Sereno Properties and is an exclusive luxury resort.