Lake Como and Venice

Upon your arrival to Milan’s airport, you’ll be met by your private driver for the approximately 90-minute transfer to beautiful Lake Como. After checking into your accommodation, you’ll have the rest of the day to yourself, perhaps relaxing with a view or stretching your legs by strolling the streets around your hotel. Just before dusk search out an idyllic spot for dining while watching the sun set over the water – you might have to pinch yourself to be sure you aren’t dreaming. With the colours splashed across the lake and forested shoreline, this fairy-tale setting is a fantasy come to life.

Exploring Lake Como by boat is arguably the best way to do it and today we have included just that for you. The views are incredible, and you can stop to enjoy highlights like Tremezzo, home to Villa Carlotta, a magnificent complex with over 17 acres of botanical gardens and a museum. The cobbled streets of Varenna are lined with unique shops while Menaggio is known for its sunny promenades.

We highly recommend pre-booking an optional excursion that focuses on the lake’s finest villas while including a visit to tranquil Comacina Island. You’ll be immersed in the picture-postcard landscape while visiting villas like the lavish Villa Balbianello, surrounded by the exotic gardens that served as the film settling for James Bond’s “Casino Royale.” The cruise also includes the chance to see another remarkable private villa, Villa Cassinella, which lies on the lake’s south-west shore. On your return, you’ll head back via serene Comacina Island – while it was once deserted, it’s now home to a church, restaurant and a few artist houses.

There’s so much to see around Lake Como you’ll have another full day to enjoy discovering all it offers, starting with Orrido Gorge which lies along the eastern shoreline. Carved by the river Pioverna, the natural canyon features remarkable caves and giant bowls, along with a footbridge where one can admire the striking beauty. Afterwards, continue to charming Bellano where visitors often enjoy relaxing while soaking up the view on the lidos that line the waterfront.

Traveling to your next destination, the mountain and lakes begin to fade away as you head to the famous ‘Floating City’ of Venice with its maze of canals. After checking into your hotel, we have organised a romantic gondola ride for you to soak up the atmosphere. You’ll sail the labyrinth of waterways getting a unique perspective of this 1,200-year-old city with some of its buildings dating back 800 years. Afterward, enjoy mouth-watering Venetian fare and wine by the Grand Canal to complete the perfect day in Venice.

A walking tour of Venice is a great way to complement your explorations via the canals. We suggest pre-booking this excursion so that you can marvel at the city’s most iconic attractions up close. That includes St. Mark’s Square with its landmarks like the gothic/Venetian Doge’s Palace, built in 1340. Transformed into a museum in 1923, today is showcases elegant rooms with priceless Venetian art. This is also where you’ll find St Mark’s Basilica, known as Italy’s most spectacular cathedral, holding many famous relics and remarkable works of art. End the day by catching a pre-booked opera performance at Teatro La Fenice.

A tour of the islands is really a must, bringing you to the outer reaches of the city, and it’s pre-bookable. You’ll sail past San Giorgio Maggiore Island, the St. Elena gardens and the Lido before stopping at Murano, renowned across the globe for its glass blowing. You’ll visit a factor to learn how it’s traditionally blown and then travel by boat to Burano with its vibrantly painted fishermen’s homes and network of canals. Torcello is the final stop and one of the most atmospheric islets in Venice. Alternatively, you might spend the day at Venice Lido with miles of sandy beachfront.

After a week of discovering some of Italy’s most famous breath-taking sights, it’s time to depart. Enjoy one last breakfast over cappuccino and then get ready to check out of your hotel, taking transfer to Venice Marco Polo Airport where you’ll catch your flight back home.