Seven days, Six nights
Lugano, Menaggio, Como
Day One – Arrival in Lugano; Hotel Lido-Seegarten
Lugano is situated on the main railway line between Zurich and Milan. All major car rental services are represented here. Our hotel is located on the water’s edge, just a short walk from the bustle of downtown. Official check-in time is 2:00 PM though our rooms are often available earlier. At 6:30 PM, we will all meet for a welcome cocktail where you will hear more about your trip and meet your guides.
Dinner tonight is on the lovely terrace of our hotel, which is perched right on the lake. A five-course menu starting with an abundant salad buffet is served followed by gelato made right in our hotel’s ice cream corner! We also have over 600 vintages to choose from the hotel’s elite wine cellar.
Day Two – Lugano; Hotel Lido-Seegarten
Our outing today begins by cable car, as we ascend over 1,000 ft. to the village of Bre, high above Lugano. On a clear day, this summit offers a beautiful panorama, which includes Lakes Maggiore and Como. From here we begin our walk, exploring the forested hills and small mountain villages that dot the area. Lunch today is a special favorite as we arrive at a secluded Alpine hut where home-cured meats and cheeses and homemade tortes and wine adorn our plates.
Afterwards, we descend to the town of Cadro where private taxis await to transport us back to our hotel. You may choose to stroll to the nearby fishing village of Gandria to explore its twisted alleyways and fun shops.
Tonight we are out on the town for dinner at the latest, posh establishment nearby. It is see and be seen here as the imaginative staff creates dishes as elegant as the clientele.
Day Three – Lugano to Menaggio; Grand Hotel Menaggio
We board a private boat this morning for our journey down the lake and into Italy. At Porlezza, we disembark and begin our walk to Lake Como. We rise slightly through forest and meadows to the pleasant town of Bene Lario for a cappuccino stop. From here, we continue on to Cardano and Loveno and arrive at a local trattoria where the specialty is homemade ravioli in a butter and sage sauce.
After lunch we descend through the oldest section of Menaggio and on to the Grand Hotel Menaggio at water's edge. This 4-star beauty is a beautifully restored 19th century landmark. One can truly feel what it must have been like in the days when royals spent their summers vacationing on this famous lake, but today we enjoy all the modern amenities so painstakingly put in place. You will have time to stroll town, swim in the two pool or perhaps book a massage before a fresh seafood dinner of “branzino”, a delicate Mediterranean whitefish, in a light herb sauce at the hotel’s grand restaurant.
Day Four – Menaggio; Grand Hotel Menaggio
This morning, we depart for an exploration of the central area of Lake Como, its quiet towns and beautiful villas. After a visit to the magical botanical gardens of the Villa Carlotta, we embark for Bellagio, "the Pearl of Lake Como". Here, you have plenty of time to explore the town, shop and visit the local palaces, Serbelloni and Melzi.
For those who would like to hike higher above the lake, we will depart from Tremezzo for our journey to the sanctuary of St. Martino, which rests on a rock ledge high above Menaggio and provides a wonderful overview of the central lake region.
A short distance away, in Lopia, a culinary treat awaits us all at the Ristorante da Silvio. Being the only restaurant on the lake with its own fishing license, we will enjoy the specialties caught fresh that morning as we watch the fishermen prepare their nets for the following day. Our favorite meal here is two types of fish pate, perch in a green “salsa verde”, pasta with herbs and “affogato”, gelato drowned with espresso.
The afternoon is at your disposal to explore Bellagio and its wonderful silver and silk shops. A short respite at Hotel Florence will enable you to share the tables where Ernest Hemingway and Mark Twain were so inspired.
This evening we have planned a special treat, dinner lakeside on Lake Como’s only island, the Isola Comincina. The island has a lurid past, dating from 569 AD when Milan was conquered and the wealthy from Como took refuge here, to 1169, when, under Barbarossa’s rule, the island was completely destroyed and it was decreed no homes or churches would be built again. The island was said to be cursed until 1920 when it was donated to the Italian State and became a retreat for Belgian and Italian artists.
Today chef Benvenuti Puricelli nightly recreates the same meal he has been successfully serving for over 40 years. Plate after plate of appetizers such as proscuitto and melon and grilled vegetables are followed by grilled chicken, thickly sliced cured ham and poached salmon. The highlight of the evening is watching Benvenuti give the island’s history (in Italian) while lighting his special coffee brandy on fire!
Day Five – Menaggio; Grand Hotel Menaggio
This morning, we cross by boat to the central lake and hike up above the Bellagio peninsula for some spectacular views. Then, we continue down to Bellagio and across the lake to the charming fishing village of Varenna, complete with its own castle and private promenade along the shore.
We enjoy lunch here on a sun dappled terrace and have plenty of time to explore the gardens of the Villa Cipresi or hike up to the fortress before returning to Menaggio and a possible dip in the hotel pool. We will head into town for dinner tonight – possibly a pizza with fresh tomatoes, basil and buffalo mozzarella.
Day Six – Menaggio; Grand Hotel Menaggio
Directly from the pier at the hotel, we board our private boat for the leisurely journey to Como. Along the way we stop for a visit to Villa Balbianello, built in 1787 and accessible only by boat. Once owned by Giacomo Monzino, the first Italian to scale Mount Everest, the villa is filled with extensive mountain expedition memorabilia and world class artifacts that a local historian will bring to life.
After arriving in Como, you may peruse the town at your leisure before lunch at the regal Villa Olmo. A short stroll along the shoreline brings us back to the main square. Como is world famous for its fashion and silk prints and this afternoon you have the option to have a guided visit to the famous museum and silk outlets before returning by boat to our hotel. This evening, we will once again enjoy our lakeside table on the hotel terrace and the spectacular evening view of the lake.
Day Seven - Departure
This morning we will transfer you to Como, which has excellent road and rail connections and the Milan airport is only one hour away. Should you need to make train reservations, rent a car or arrange transport to the airport for your journey home, your guides will gladly assist you.
We Look Forward To Seeing You In Lugano!
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