Luxury Lake Como Private Boat Excursion - Context Travel

Tour Details

About the Tour

Category: Excursions and Day Trips
Duration: 8.5 hours
Location: Milan

Photos & Highlights

Sail amongst the luxurious history of Milan's neighboring culturally rich cities
Led by a local historian
Bellagio, Varenna, and Lake Como

Tour Description

Join an exclusive full day tour of Lake Como, in the company of a local expert and private boat. On this private Lake Como Boat Tour we will delve into the history of this dazzling region as we talk about the Romans, the silk trade, and its emergence of the area as a Hollywood destination. We’ll start with a short train ride from Milan to Como where we will introduce the lake from the tranquil shores of the town. We’ll then board our transport for the day, a luxurious private boat, as we spend some time on the water taking in the lush green scenery. Because we have the boat at our disposal for 4 hours, we will have the opportunity to visit the towns Bellagio and Varenna at our own pace, following our whims and the suggestions of our docent for a personalized, intellectually curious look at the region. At the end of this luxury experience, we’ll hop on the train back to Milan, rested and relaxed from our tranquil surroundings and invigorated by the wealth of knowledge we’ll have gained about this important area’s history.

Off to Como

We’ll meet our docent at Cardorna Station in Milan, where we’ll hop on the train to Como together. On the ride up, we’ll get to know one another better, as well as dive into a general overview of the history of Como—from its importance to the Roman Empire, to its evolution as peaceful retreat to poets and prominent members of society in the 19th century, to its (not necessarily accurate) current reputation as star-studded playground. In a little over an hour, we’ll step into Como, ready to explore the town.

Como Tour

Safe and sound in Como, we’ll step into the historic heart of this town, visiting some of the most important sites in this small, but culturally rich, city. We’ll definitely pop into the Como Cathedral—said to be the last Gothic church built in Italy—as we meander the charming, cobblestoned streets. We may take note of the wealth of architectural styles on display, from Romanesque to the rationalist style associated with Italy’s fascist era, while exploring what daily life is like in this northern Italian hamlet. After about an hour, we’ll stroll down to the city’s namesake lake, where our private boat will be waiting for us.

Private Lake Como Boat Tour

With our lovely private boat at our disposal for the next four hours, we’ll have the flexibility to spend our time together as we see fit. As we cruise away from Como, we’ll get the opportunity to admire the dramatic, verdant hills that surround the water, as well as the towns tucked into the hillsides. We’ll likely cruise by some of the most striking and noteworthy villas, like the the 19th century Villa Erba, the Villa D’Este, a Renaissance patrician residence-turned-luxury hotel replete with a legendary garden and nymphanium, and the Villa Oleandra, now home to George Clooney. Disembarking in Bellagio, we’ll have some time to explore the sprawling Villa Melzi gardens and charming Via Giuseppi Garibaldi before stopping for a leisurely lunch. Hopping back onto the boat, we’ll proceed onward to Varenna, which boasts one of the best-preserved medieval centers of all the towns on the lake. We’ll visit the Church of San Giovanni Battista, which is home to frescos that date back to the 14th century, and the perfectly manicured gardens of such villas as Monastero or Cipressi. Finally, our desire for exploration sated, we’ll hop on the train back to Milan, ready to reflect on the stunning natural beauty and rich history of this characteristic Italian region.

Take Aways

At the conclusion of this private Lake Como Boat Tour, we’ll have a well-rounded understanding of the history and importance of the lake and towns surrounding it, from the critical role they played in Roman trading, to their importance in Italian silk manufacturing, to the Romantic era painters and poets they helped inspire. We’ll also have enjoyed a leisurely ride around the lake, stopping at a few of the area’s most lovely towns, and exploring at our own pace.

FAQ

Where do we meet? Where does it end?
We meet and end at a train station in Milan. Your confirmation email will have the exact details.

How long is the train ride?
The train journey lasts about one hour each way.

Is the train included in the price?
No, you will need to purchase your tickets at the station. Your docent can help you.

Can we book a private car service instead?
Yes, please add this to your client notes or send us an email request.

Is the boat included in the price?
Yes.

How long will we be on the boat for?
We will have the boat at our disposal for 4 hours, although some time will be spent exploring on land.

Can we stay in Como at the end of our tour together?
Yes, this is possible. Please let us know in your client notes.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Katerina

Originally from Bulgaria, Katerina has been living in Italy for 25 years now, 20 of which in Milan. Her degrees are MSc in Economics at the University of Economics of Varna (Bulgaria) followed by a BA in Linguistic and Cultural Mediation at UNIMI (University of Milan) several years later. After a short experience in finance, she changed work field following her true passion for languages, culture and communication and worked for about 10 years as an interpreter and translator. In the meanwhile she cultivated her multitude of interests in travelling, art, history, tradition, italian food and wine, which led her to new studies and eventually to a new profession. Now she is specialized in art and history tours in Milan with particular focus on Leonardo da Vinci and Italian Renaissance art. She offers also guided wine tastings, food tours -- not only in Milan, but also combined with truffle hunting in Piedmont -- and tours from Milan to the greater Italian lakes, including guided cruises mainly along the beautiful Lake Como,

Mirko

After obtaining a University Degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures in 1995, Mirko started leading tours in the Lombardy area. He enjoys guiding groups within the Milan city center and further afield, such as the Como region. Most recently, he enjoys taking guests to the new district of Porta Nuova and showing Milan's sustainable side and contemporary architects displaying their designs there. He speaks fluent English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Veronica

Veronica is an art history graduate from Milan. During her studies at university, she fell in love with the city, discovering hidden corners and unexpected treasures that lie within it. After becoming an official tour guide she decided to transform this passion into her full time job to show visitors inside the Italian and Milanese culture and art, history and traditions. She enjoys the secret gems and small details and focuses on entertaining stories to embellish her narrative, to live a unique experience in Milan.

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