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 BellagioFive 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.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.
2012 Prices Three-Hour Tour 1-6 people 730.00 Euro/group 7-15 people 954.00 Euro/group 16-20 people 1132.00 Euro/group 2012 Prices Three-Hour Tour With Tour Assistant 1-6 people 862.00 Euro/group 7-15 people 1086.00 Euro/group 16-20 people 1264.00 Euro/group 2012 Prices Three-Hour Tour With Guide 1-6 people 920.00 Euro/group 7-15 people 1144.00 Euro/group 16-20 people 1322.00 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 2012, holidays are January 1, January 6, April 8, April 9, April 25,
May 1, June 2, August 15, November 1, December 8, December 25 and December 26)
2012 Prices Five-Hour Tour 1-6 people 920.00 Euro/group 7-15 people 1190.00 Euro/group 16-20 people 1437.00 Euro/group 2012 Prices Five-Hour Tour With Tour Assistant 1-6 people 1218.00 Euro/group 7-15 people 1489.00 Euro/group 16-20 people 1736.00 Euro/group 2012 Prices Five-Hour Tour With Guide 1-6 people 1318.00 Euro/group 7-15 people 1586.00 Euro/group 16-20 people 1833.00 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 2012, holidays are January 1, January 6, April 8, April 9, April 25,
May 1, June 2, August 15, November 1, December 8, December 25 and December 26)
2012 Prices Seven-Hour Tour 1-6 people 1149.00 Euro/group 7-15 people 1448.00 Euro/group 16-20 people 1632.00 Euro/group 2012 Prices Seven-Hour Tour With Tour Assistant 1-6 people 1391.00 Euro/group 7-15 people 1690.00 Euro/group 16-20 people 1874.00 Euro/group 2012 Prices Seven-Hour Tour With Guide 1-6 people 1489.00 Euro/group 7-15 people 1787.00 Euro/group 16-20 people 1971.00 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 2012, holidays are January 1, January 6, April 8, April 9, April 25,
May 1, June 2, August 15, November 1, December 8, December 25 and December 26)
Villa Carlotta is open daily March 17-November; tickets cost 9 Euro/person extra
Villa Balbaniello is open March 14-November 14, except Mondays and Wednesdays; tickets to visit the garden cost 6 Euro/person extra (it is also possible to visit the villa for 12 Euro/person extra but this must be booked well in advance)Click here for more pictures of Lake Como.
