Gay Lake Como, Italy Adventure Tour

Day 1: Arrival – Milano Welcome Dinner and Evening Stroll

 Welcome to Milano! Recognized as the fashion capital of Italy, it is home to some of the greatest collections of art and historical architecture. This includes major works of Leonardo da Vinci, the Porta Nuova, Sforza Castle, the Opera house, La Scala, and the spectacular gothic Milano Cathedral. Milano has an extraordinary history dating back to 600 BC.

For those of you arriving early, there are countless museums, art exhibits, and historical monuments to explore. This evening we will meet in the lobby of our luxury 4-star hotel for a reception and orientation. Then we will dine at one of our favorite restaurants to savor Italian wine and a superb selection of Italiano cuisine.

After dinner, we will take a stroll through the historical area to give you a glimpse of tomorrow´s tour.

Day 2: Milano City Walking Tour and Lake Como

This morning we will tour some of the architectural and historical icons of Milano. Our private tour with a local scholar will take us to the Piazza Duomo with its world-famous Gothic cathedral. We will continue to the Church of Saint Ambrogio, the Palazzo della Borsa, La Scala Theater, the Sforzesco castle and the Gae Aulenti Square. Our history guide will share his passion of art and culture as we stroll through 2000 years of history. We will finish with a delightful lunch in the popular modern area of Brera.

In the afternoon, we depart Milan for a scenic ride north along the eastern shore of Lake Como to the village of Olgiasca. Our off-the-beaten-track hotel overlooks the lake with beautiful gardens and stunning views across the lake. It features a fabulous restaurant and classic villa-style rooms. Before dinner, we invite those interested for an evening walk around a nearby medieval stone abbey. Dining will be on site with spectacular views over the water, in a very romantic setting. 

Day 3: Hiking Val di Mello

Today we embark on a glorious trek through the Val di Mello – regarded as the “The Yosemite of Italy”. This spectacular valley is a well-kept secret. However, it is a world-class hiking and rock climbing area with crystal clear lakes, rivers, waterfalls, a historic stone village, and even a fine restaurant featuring local cuisine.

We will hike a few miles into the valley along a crystal-clear river below spectacular cliff faces with waterfalls tumbling down. After numerous great photo opportunities, we will arrive at an old stone village. Here we will enjoy lunch at one of our favorite open-air trattorias for a taste of the unique local dishes.  Afterwards we’ll hike further into the valley, cross the river, then loop back to our starting point. This will complete a 5-6-mile hike through the most scenic valleys rivaling the beauty of Yosemite.

In the unlikely event of foul weather, we always have backup plans to visit the world-class Bagni Vecchi Spa for a delightful rainy-day activity.

We will return to our charming hotel to relax and sample the local wine before a scrumptious dinner served in our Lakeview restaurant.

Day 4: E-Biking on the Northern reaches of Lago di Como

If you´ve never ridden an E-Bike before, you are in for a real surprise and treat! An E (electrically assisted with battery) bike is a delightful way to tour the surrounding lower mountain areas above Lake Como. We use high-quality E-mountain bikes which make peddling up the slopes like riding on level ground.

Today’s E-biking trip around the northern end of Lake Como culminates with a gorgeous lunch at an agriturismo high above the lake. The stunning beauty of the area is guaranteed to leave you enchanted. After lunch we’ll bike another kilometer to our ultimate lookout with an incredible view of the entire northern end of the lake.

From there, we’ll ride back down to the lakeshore and return along a relaxing bike path along the beach area. If you wish, stop for a swim or have an espresso or cocktail while gazing out at the kite surfers and wind surfers.

Day 5: Lago di Como, Bellagio, Villas, Gardens and Lecco

The best way to see the spectacular villas and sites of Lake Como is from the water. Our excursion will include a private boat tour traversing the lake from north to south.  Meanwhile, the van will transport our luggage to our next 4-star hotel in Malgrate, a province of Lecco on the southern shore of the lake.

We will start our day with a short ride to the picturesque village of Varenna, then visit Villa Monastero. From here our private boat will take us on another short ride to Bellagio, “The Pearl of Lago di Como”. Here we will have plenty of time to stroll around the historical village and visit the gardens of the Villa Meltzi. On our way toward Como, we will pass by such picturesque towns as Tremezzo and Lenno, and see icons including Villa Carlotta, Villa Balbianello (famous for the location of several Star War scenes as well as the James Bond movie, Casino Royale), Orrido di Nesso, and Isola Comacina. Lunch will be at our favorite lakeside restaurant. And of course, we’ll pass by the Villa Oleandra, summer home of George Clooney.

Our lake tour will end in the picturesque town of Lezzeno. Our van will meet us there to transfer to our 4-star lakefront hotel near the southern end of the lake in Malgrate.

Tonight we will enjoy a gourmet meal overlooking the lake and the Resegone mountain range, which will be our outdoor playground for the next few days of hiking and e-biking.

Day 6: Hiking and Spa Day

Our extraordinary day will start with a hardy Italian breakfast followed by a ride to the Funivia Piani d’Erna, a cable car landing above the town of Lecco.

A piani in Italian is like a plateau (not to be confused with a panini). The Piani d’Erna sits at 4500 feet above sea level. Enjoy the spectacular ride to our hiking area of sprawling meadows and unspoiled forest, beneath the peaks of Mount Resegone. From the plateau area, we will have breathtaking views of Lake Como and Lecco below.

It is a gorgeous area for an easy 4-mile loop hike. Or enjoy a more difficult climb up toward the mountain – the choice is yours. There is a delightful restaurant on the piani where we will enjoy traditional dishes and enjoy the stunning views of Mount Resegone.

After lunch, the cable car will gently glide us back down so we can then head to the world-famous Pellegrino Spa.

Near the town of Bergamo, where the exclusive San Pellegrino water has its origin, you can soak in the supercharged mineral water. The recently renovated spa sits in a spectacular Nouveau Palace! Recommended by Leonardo Da Vinci for its curative powers, we will regenerate our bodies and souls in the rich sulfated thermal waters. They are rich in calcium and magnesium and will feel great after our day of hiking. There are more than 30 spa treatments available, along with pools, waterfalls, steam baths, saunas, and for the brave, ice rooms.

We will enjoy this unforgettable experience into the evening. Included is an Aperiterme, a tasty happy hour with a light but elegant buffet designed to conquer your palate without adding to your waistline.  

Day 7: E- Biking Through the Mountains 

Today’s itinerary includes 30-40 kilometers of riding through spectacular scenery with gorgeous mountain views. We will stop for lunch at a mountain pass restaurant, then ride through beautiful alpine villages. At times it will be relaxing and sometimes exhilarating. However, with the E-bike you can get great exercise without the grueling climbs of a conventional bike. We’ll complete our loop at the bike shop in the late afternoon. Then we will return to our beautiful hotel.

Tonight’s farewell dinner will be at a special restaurant out on the lake and will feature wine from the region. A final chance for an evening stroll along the lake will leave us with the glow of having visited this most beautiful region of Northern Italia.

Day 8: Farewell

This morning, we will have an earlier breakfast before our van departure to Milan, with stops at Malpensa Airport and the Central Train Station. Our schedule allows for flights from Malpensa (MXP) or trains at 12:30 pm or later.

If you have an earlier flight or train, or have made other plans, we can arrange a private transfer at an additional cost; typically around $175.