Anna (on right) and Giusi (on left) are two of our favorite Lake Como guides. Anna was raised in London, moved to the lake in 1979, and lives here with her Sicilian husband and two teenaged children. She has been introducing all kinds of visitors to the lake for almost three decades. Giusi grew up in South Africa, and served for three years as the director of the Maritime Museum in Bellagio. They and their colleagues would like to welcome you to one of the most picturesque corners of our globe. Here's what they tell us:

"The best way to see any lake is from the lake! And none on earth has more magnificent villas and gardens than Como. The shores are lined with picture-perfect villages and highlighted by the dramatic backdrop of mountains whose peaks are covered in snow almost all year. Over several centuries, the fabulously wealthy aristocrats of Italy and Switzerland have built, rebuilt, remodeled and landscaped some of Europe's most breathtaking private properties all along the lake's shores. You can see them from afar on the public steamers that ply the waters daily, or you can swoop right up and get a longer, closer look on a private cruise with us. We will tell you the history, the gossip, the love stories, the mysterious disappearances -- all the wonderful tales behind these fascinating homes, which have hosted generations of poets and composers, kings and queens, madmen and saints … and now, George Clooney! Yes, we will point out his villa too. Along the way we'll stop and get out so you can stretch your legs in a village or a garden. Take your pick from Villa Carlotta or Villa Balbaniello, Bellagio or Varenna.

At Villa Carlotta, masterpieces of nature and art live in perfect harmony within 17 acres of gardens and museum. The beautiful villa, built at the end of the 17th century by a Milanese marquis, is crowned by a fascinating romantic Italian garden decorated with world-renowned sculptures, stairways and fountains. Later, the villa was sold to Prince Albert of Prussia's wife, who gave it as a wedding present to her daughter Carlotta. The chief glory of the gardens is the spring flowering of over 150 types of rhododendrons and azaleas, but there is something to enjoy any time of year: ancient varieties of camellias, century old cedars and sequoias, huge plane trees and tropical plants, the rock garden and the fern valley, the bamboo grove, the agricultural tools museum and the wonderful views of the lake still make this a small corner of heaven.

Villa Balbaniello can only be reached by boat. Originally a rest home for Franciscan monks, its gardens cover a promontory and thus offer one of the best views on the entire lake. When you step off your private boat, you will be hailed by a statue of St. Francis, beckoning you to climb a long, leisurely stairway past colorful shrubs and lush trees to the villa, built in the 18th century for a cardinal. You will recognize this spot from many films, including the latest James Bond thriller, Casino Royale, and Episode Two of Star Wars.

There are countless charming villages on Lake Como, but two of them stand out above the rest. Bellagio and Varenna are undoubtedly among the loveliest towns in Europe. Both have steep cobblestone alleys adorned with colorful flower pots, lace-curtained windows, and pleasant little shops. Wandering among these streets, you quickly leave the tourists behind and encounter endless quaint spots to take memorable vacation photos.

In Varenna the homes cling to a hillside topped by the picturesque ruins of a castle said to have been the last home of Theodolinda, 7th-century Queen of the Lombards. On the way to Bellagio you'll pass Villa Melzi, a private home that is a masterpiece of neo-classical architecture. Its exquisite gardens set the tone for the town, which has been beloved by generations of visitors. Hidden beyond its delightful alleys is the little 11th-century church of San Giacomo, whose ancient Romanesque interior also boasts Baroque decorations.

You have several options for a private cruise on Lake Como. You can choose an excursion with a professional licensed guide, or with a tour assistant (who can tell you all about the lake and life on the lake but may not have as much historical preparation as a guide), or just with the pilot (who speaks basic English but cannot give you information about the lake).

You can take an excursion for three hours, for five hours or for seven hours. Here is what is included if you will be meeting the motorboat between Como Town and Moltrasio:

Three hours : Panoramic tour of the lake with time to see and photograph the villas from the boat, plus a stop at Bellagio

Five hours : Panoramic tour of the lake with time to see and photograph the villas from the boat, plus a stop at Bellagio and a villa, or Bellagio and Varenna, or Varenna and a villa

Seven hours : Panoramic tour of the lake with time to see and photograph the villas from the boat, plus a stop at Bellagio, two villas, and Varenna

 

Here is what is included if you will be meeting the motorboat at Menaggio, Lenno, Cadenabbia or Tremezzo:

Three hours : Panoramic tour of the lake with time to see and photograph Cernobbio and the villas from the boat, plus a stop at Bellagio; or cruise to Varenna and stop at Varenna

Five hours : Panoramic tour of the lake with time to see and photograph Cernobbio and the villas from the boat, plus a stop at Bellagio and a villa; or cruise to Varenna and stop at Varenna and two villas; or cruise to Bellagio and stop at Bellagio and Varenna and a villa

Seven hours : Any combination of the above

Prices include private motorboat, fuel and pilot from Como Town, or from your lakeside hotel's boat dock, or from the nearest public boat dock. Lunch and entrance tickets are not included.

We are able to offer a discount to guests of the following hotels, so please ask us for the price before submitting your confirmation:
Grand Hotel Menaggio
Albergo Lenno
Grand Hotel Cadenabbia

If you will be coming from Milan and you book an excursion with a guide or a tour assistant, they will meet you at the train station in Como. Otherwise it is about an 800-yard walk from the station to the motorboat dock.

2009 Prices	Three-Hour Tour
1-6 people	603.00 Euro/group
7-15 people	880.00 Euro/group
16-20 people	989.00 Euro/group
2009 Prices	Three-Hour Tour With Tour Assistant
1-6 people	712.00 Euro/group
7-15 people	989.00 Euro/group
16-20 people	1098.00 Euro/group
2009 Prices	Three-Hour Tour With Guide
1-6 people	766.00 Euro/group
7-15 people	1043.00 Euro/group
16-20 people	1152.00 Euro/group

* Please note that there is an additional 10% supplement for any tour that lasts until 7p.m. or later, or is on a Sunday or on a holiday (in 2009, holidays are January 1, January 6, April 12, April 13, April 25, May 1, June 2, August 15, November 1, December 8, December 25 and December 26)

 

2009 Prices	Five-Hour Tour
1-6 people	799.00 Euro/group
7-15 people	1016.00 Euro/group
16-20 people	1125.00 Euro/group
2009 Prices	Five-Hour Tour With Tour Assistant
1-6 people	995.00 Euro/group
7-15 people	1212.00 Euro/group
16-20 people	1321.00 Euro/group
2009 Prices	Five-Hour Tour With Guide
1-6 people	1109.00 Euro/group
7-15 people	1326.00 Euro/group
16-20 people	1435.00 Euro/group

* Please note that there is an additional 10% supplement for any tour that lasts until 7p.m. or later, or is on a Sunday or on a holiday (in 2009, holidays are January 1, January 6, April 12, April 13, April 25, May 1, June 2, August 15, November 1, December 8, December 25 and December 26)

 

2009 Prices	Seven-Hour Tour
1-6 people	1071.00 Euro/group
7-15 people	1343.00 Euro/group
16-20 people	1451.00 Euro/group
2009 Prices	Seven-Hour Tour With Tour Assistant
1-6 people	1266.00 Euro/group
7-15 people	1538.00 Euro/group
16-20 people	1647.00 Euro/group
2009 Prices	Seven-Hour Tour With Guide
1-6 people	1380.00 Euro/group
7-15 people	1652.00 Euro/group
16-20 people	1761.00 Euro/group

* Please note that there is an additional 10% supplement for any tour that lasts until 7p.m. or later, or is on a Sunday or on a holiday (in 2009, holidays are January 1, January 6, April 12, April 13, April 25, May 1, June 2, August 15, November 1, December 8, December 25 and December 26)

Villa Carlotta is open daily March 15-October 31; tickets cost 7.50 Euro/person extra
Villa Balbaniello is open March 17-November 4, except Mondays and Wednesdays; tickets to visit the garden cost 5 Euro/person extra (it is also possible to visit the villa for 11 Euro/person extra but this must be booked well in advance)

Click here for more pictures of Lake Como.