CENTRAL LAKE COMO FOOD, VILLAS & BOAT TOUR

Boat, Food & Villas Tour of Lake Como, Italy
A full day guided tour discovering the pearls of Lake Como:  walking tours of Bellagio and Varenna, a visit to Villa Balbianello and Villa Melzi, a relaxing private cruise, the sampling of olive oil at an original mill plus tastings of local cheese, cold cuts, wine, fish and pasta.

Wine tasting and local cheeses and meats

Departs: Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun , 10 a.m.
Departs from: Varenna, ferry terminal
Duration: 8  hours
Minimum number: 2 adults

Price:

Adult €225
Reduced: Youth (4-12) €115 – Child (0-3) €25

 

 

Description

I went on this tour and you can read my first-hand experience of this tour and see the pictures

Read the full description of the Central Lake Tour of Lake Como below:

You will experience the beauty of Lake Como with a local and taste the delicacies and specialties, visit the towns and villas

Meeting Point

Varenna Ferry Terminal
P.zza Martiri della Libertà
Varenna – ITALY
Our  Central Lake Tour starts in front of the Ferry Terminal Ticket Office.
Just look for the team with the LAKE COMO FOOD TOURS sign!

Note: If you are arriving from Como, Cernobbio or Moltrasio we recommend taking the 9:00 am hydrofoil from Como (stopping also in Moltrasio) and disembark in Bellano at 10:04. If this is the case please inform us at least one day before the tour, so that we can organize your pick-up at the ferry terminal in Bellano.

If you are arriving from Milan, there is an 8:20 AM train from Milano Centrale station (ticket €6.70) arriving at Varenna-Esino at 9:23 giving you plenty of time to walk to the ferry terminal. (Train timetables are subject to change, please check times or contact us before departure)

Description

This full day tour will allow you to discover the “pearls” of the mid-lake area and view and visit some of the most famous waterfront villas, all accompanied with the tasting of delicious local products.

The tour starts with a trip to a fascinating original mill on the hills above Varenna where you will be offered a tasting of the world famous locally produced olive oil, typical Valsassina cheese, cold cuts and wine followed by a guided walking tour of Varenna with its Celtic origins and steep alleys.

Lunch will be served at a lakefront restaurant where you will sample typical freshwater fish starters and delicious pasta (a meat or vegetarian menu is also be available).

An unforgettable private motorboat cruise will give you the chance to relax in the afternoon admiring the spectacular mountains and the stunning villas, once the homes of aristocrats, now the playgrounds for the jet set.

You will disembark at Villa del Balbianello for a guided visit, a real gem not to be missed, stunning shooting location for a number of famous films such as “Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones” and “Casino Royale”.

Afterwards, our motorboat will bring you to Bellagio, where you shall be guided through the wonderful Villa Melzi gardens, followed by a stroll along the lakeside.

The tour will end at approximately 5:30 pm in this world-renowned village, where you are highly recommended to stop for a romantic happy hour or dinner. Our tour guide will suggest the best restaurants and cafes in the area.

The tour is in English but we can cater for groups of at least 8 adults in Italian, please check with us for other language availability.

What’s Included

  • Professional, friendly English speaking licensed guide.
  • Tasting of delicious local specialties in a charming old mill.
  • Special lunch in a typical lakefront restaurant (starters, pasta dish,  water, a glass of wine and coffee).
  • Boat tour of the most famous central lake villas.
  • Tickets to Villa del Balbianello.
  • Tickets to Villa Melzi

What’s not included

  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off (please contact us for a quotation).
  • The costs of any souvenirs/ drinks / snacks / meals that are not explicitly listed in the programme.

What else

  • Not wheelchair accessible.
  • A fair amount of walking is involved*.
  • The meeting and end point are reasonably close and well connected to public transport.
  • Please bring a bottle of water; alternatively, you can purchase one near the meeting point.
  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at the time of booking.
  • The tour runs rain or shine**
  • Please remember that bookings are made on a first come, first served basis.

Cancellation

  • If you want to cancel your booked tour send us an email.
  • If you cancel your tour 7 or more days before your tour you shall be fully refunded.
  • There are no refunds if you cancel your tour less than 7 days (168 hours) before the start of your tour.
  • There are no refunds if you do not turn up for the tour (our tours start promptly, the guide shall not be able to linger).
  • If you need to reschedule your booked tour we will do our best to accommodate your request. Please contact us directly by email or phone. In case we cannot meet your needs and you decide to cancel, no refund shall be given for tours that are cancelled with 7 of fewer days notice.
  • Please refer to our full Terms and Conditions policy here.

Additional Info

We are easily reachable from the central area of the lake and from Como/Cernobbio. Please contact us for further details.
At the time of booking, please provide your contact number and hotel details, should we need to contact you.
*The trail to the mill where we do the morning tasting entails a descent with some steep steps which must also be ascended on the return trip. Please make sure you are physically adept and have comfortable walking shoes.
Please make sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes for walking.
** In case of bad weather conditions it is possible that the tour undergoes some slight changes and that the transfer to Villa Balbianello is done using public transport and not with the private boat taxi due to safety reasons.

Departs: Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun , 10 a.m.
Departs from: Varenna, ferry terminal
Duration: 8  hours
Minimum number: 2 adults

Price:

Adult €225
Reduced: Youth (4-12) €115 – Child (0-3) €25

 

By clicking “Book Now”, You will be directed to the Lake Como Food Tours tour operator’s secure booking system. By booking with MilanoStyle.com, there are no additional fees. Feel free to contact us for inquiries or additional information.
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