Hope & Charlie
Things To Do
Town of Bellagio
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.
Bellagio- Villa Melzi Gardens
Located in the heart of Bellagio, this beautiful botanical garden and museum is a must see.
Bike It!
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.
Enoteca La Principessa
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.
Town of Varenna
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.
Botanical Gardens of Villa Cipressi
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.
Town of Menaggio
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.
Town of Lenno
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.
Olive Oil Tasting
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.
Town of Tremezzo
Tremezzo is a beautiful town situated across the lake from Bellagio and accessible by ferry. Located in this town is stunning Grand Hotel Tremezzo and Villa Carlotta. These amazing villas and hotel have made this town a popular tourist destination.
Villa Carlotta
Prussian princess, Carlotta, received the villa as a wedding gift from her mother in 1847. Today, Villa Carlotta is open to wander amongst the botanical gardens and visit the princess’s former home. Famous for the rhododendrons and azaleas that bloom in spring, Villa Carlotta’s gardens include: giant sequoia and Cyprus trees, a Japanese garden, tropical plants and a beautifully tranquil fern valley. The villa itself is furnished with period furniture and serves as a gallery, hosting art exhibitions and musical events. Villa Carlotta is open every day from mid-March to late October. It is easily reached on foot from the ferry landing dock at Tremezzo.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo
With over 100 years of history, this iconic hotel is located in the heart of Lake Como, with unparalleled views of Bellagio and the stunning Grigne mountains. This authentic Art Nouveau palace sits adjacent to Villa Carlotta’s famed gardens. It is worth a trip to walk around this beautiful hotel. Don't forgot to steal a piece of candy from the jars across from the concierge desk!
City of Como
City of Como is a romantic place, which gave its name to the lake. Como is easy to walk around and its tourist attractions are within walking distance from the train station and boat landing. One favorite activity is to take the funicular to Brunate for panoramic views. From there are also a few hiking trails. On a cultural side, Duomo of Como is one of the best cathedrals you can see in Lombardy. And as you stroll past little shops in city centre, you can't help notice the abundance of silk. Como has a long history as the center of Italy's silk manufacture, so it's a good place to do some shopping or visit the Silk Museum, where you can learn about the old textile tradition.
Lake Como Food Tours
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.
Shop til You Drop
There are tons of small boutique stores in every town (Menaggio, Varenna, Bellagio & Como) featuring Italian silk, kitchen items, arts & crafts, and other souvenires. Every town has it own personality and stores- bring Euros and credit cards (a lot of the vendors don't like American Express due to the fees). Remember VAT rebate if you purchase over 155 Euros per store, you can purchase multiple times and have them combine them to receive it back. We use our credit cards for purchases whenever possible for the best exchange rates- however ensure that credit cards are without any foreign transactions fees to save money.
Cattedrale di Como
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.
Italian Cooking Classes in Lake Como
Improve your culinary skills with Italian chefs teaching a variety of culinary delights! Impress your friends back home with your new pasta techniques.
Take the Funicular
The Como to Brunate funicular, inaugurated in 1894, is still the fastest way to travel between the two towns, but with the breath-taking views across the Lake, you’ll probably wish the journey would never end. It is located in the town of Como.
Water Sports on Lake Como
Visitors may pursue multiple water sports including kayaking, sailing, rowing, and fishing to fill your time on the picturesque Lake Como. For those wanting to try something different, companies such as Lake Como Adventures offer a range of sports and outdoor pursuits. Lake Como Adventures in particular offers canyoning – this involves abseiling, jumping and sliding through a series of canyons and cliffs to reach the ground or water below. This is a truly unique way to explore some of Lake Como's canyons located at Porlezza and Lenno.
Isola Comacina
Comacina Island is a small island in the middle of the lake, nestled in the branch of Como between Argegno and Lavedo peninsula. This island was inhabited in ancient times by the Romans and is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Lombardy.
Visit Switzerland for a Day Trip
For a great day trip, head to the north of lake and take the train to St. Moritz or visit the Matterhorn. Start early by rail to Switzerland through the Simplon Tunnel to Brig and then to Zermatt to see the Matterhorn and possibly to try some glacier skiing. Or drive via Domodossola west of Pontegrande and Pecetto to see views of the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa from the Italian side. Take a lift up the mountain for viewing and hiking. This is a great activity for a hot, clear day. Bring a sweater and your passport to cross over the Swiss border!
Boat Ride on Lake Como
Private Lake Como tours are a must do on your trip. You are able to take the ferries that go in-between the cities, or group tours or a the private one list in the website. Grab your friends and go boating in a polished wood boat! Great Instagram photo-op.