Every tourist in the area should visit this beautiful cathedral. Whether you are spending your holidays on Lake Como or visiting Milan, the Duomo is one of the best cathedrals you can see in Lombardy. Admissions are free-of-charge. The last of the Gothic cathedrals built in Lombardy, Il Duomo di Como took three and half centuries to finish resulting in a unique mixture of architectural styles. The inside is filled with art, including 16th century tapestries, paintings, frescoes and sculptures. If a visit is not enough, tourists are more than welcome to sit at the tables of the restaurants and bars in the square in front of the Duomo in order to enjoy the delightful view and etch it into memory.
The Como environment combines both the Alpine and Mediterranean micro climates, making a diverse range of products available for sampling. High quality olive oil from happy olive trees overlooking a stunning central lake vista is produced at the Vanini Osvlado. A trip to their on-site shop is a worthwile half day trip.
Join them any day of the week for a special trip to Madonna del Ghisallo by bike...a MUST-do activity while visiting Lake Como.
Lake Como Food Tours offers a unique experience in Lake Como area. The tours carefully mix culture, scenic landscapes and high quality food tastings, all of which experienced walking in fascinating lakefront villages, biking along panoramic routes, hiking in our mountains, cooking with us or enjoying a cruise to admire the beautiful villas facing the lake.
Located in the heart of Bellagio, this beautiful botanical garden and museum is a must see.
This winery is located in Bellagio. The proprietor is very knowledgeable and friendly and will guide guests through his wide selection of great local wines. Wines may also be purchased and shipped home. Definitely worth a stop if you fancy sampling one of Lombardy’s most famous exports.
Bellagio, known as the pearl of the lake, is a beautiful setting where the three segments of Lake Como join together. The views are superb and usually framed by gardens or carefully maintained buildings. The beautiful gardens at Villa Melzi are a must see. Visit the website below to find a selection of possible experiences (boat tours/rentals, bike tour/rentals, cooking classes, yoga classes, truffle hunting and more) that you can book and organize easily.
Varenna is centrally located on the eastern shores of the lake, and easily reached by boat from the other towns around the lake shores. It is also one of the few towns that is served by a car ferry. The quaint little town's awe-inspiring scenery and more relaxed atmosphere make it a perfect retreat from the more touristy places around Lake Como. NOTE: *The Vecchia Varenna (Contrada Scoscesa 10, Varenna) is a fabulous place to eat right at the edge of the lake www.vecchiavarenna.it ** Ristorante Il Caminetto runs highly regarded cooking classes.
The extensive and beautiful Botanical Gardens are part of the Hotel Villa Cipressi, a wonderful building on the lake built in the 1400s. The gardens are open to the public, whereas the rest of the building belongs to the hotel and its restaurant.
Menaggio, in the foothills of the Alps, is a lively resort with a lakeside promenade. Menaggio is popular with outdoor enthusiasts for walking or hiking, swimming, windsurfing and rock climbing. Villa Carlotta, just south of Menaggio, has beautiful gardens open to visitors. Visitors may tour the inside with its original 18th-century furniture and art work.
Lenno is a beautiful town located across the lake from Bellagio. It offers panoramic views of the lake and is less crowded than other towns. Lenno hosts the sumptuous Villa del Balbianello, one of the greatest villas on the lake, is famous for its gardens and view of the lake. (Save a trip to this beautiful Villa for our wedding day). Lenno also has a lovely promenade for walking with restaurants and cafes perfect for a meal with a view or coffee break. On Tuesdays, Lenno also hosts an open/farmers market in the morning.