Lake Como and its villas tour

5.0
(4 reviews)

8 hours (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: German and 4 more

The soothing and elegant atmosphere of Lake Como is inimitable. Since the Roman age, it has been a leisure location for aristocrats and still, due to the quite impervious configuration, it has not been reached by the mass tourism. From the Renaissance to the Napoleonic age, wealthy families, clergymen and politicians have built here their summer residences.
This exclusive guided tour will take you along the lakeside, to discover some of these art treasures: Villa del Balbianello, Villa Erba, Villa Carlotta and Villa Melzi d'Eril, also famous for its garden. You will be astonished by their beauty and by the harmony between architecture and landscape. After just one day, a light will be shining forever in your eyes and your soul.

What's Included

Taxi boat to and from Villa Balbianello
Private transportation
Qualified private guide
Ferryboat tickets
Lunch
Gratuities

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).

Itinerary

Duration: 8 hours (approximately)
  • (Pass by)

    Built between 1898 and 1901 under the direction of architects Angelo Savoldi and Giovan Battista Borsani, this majestic villa initially belonged to the Erba family, chemists from Milan. Carla, the daughter of Luigi, first owner of Villa Erba, married duke Giuseppe Visconti di Modrone; their son, the well known film director Luchino Visconti, also spent some time in this mansion and worked here at the editing of his movie "Ludwig".

    Admission ticket free
  • 1
    Villa Del Balbianello

    The villa was built in 1787 by cardinal Angelo Maria Durini; later, it was bought by a Milanese politician, who hosted artists and intellectuals such as Alessandro Manzoni, Giovanni Berchet and Giuseppe Giusti.

    1 hour 30 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 2
    I Giardini Di Villa Melzi

    Built between 1808 and 1810 for Francesco Melzi d'Eril (1753-1816), Duke of Lodi, Vice President of the Italian Republic under Napoleon and then Grand Chancellor of the Napoleonic Reign of Italy. The English-style gardens were designed by the architect Luigi Canonica and by the botanist Luigi Villoresi.

    1 hour 30 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 3
    Bellagio

    This village, which could even have been founded in the 6th century B.C. by Gauls, has been an exclusive leisure location since the Roman age: Virgilius and Plinius visited the site, the latter even owning a summer residence in the town. Many gorgeous villas have been built in Bellagio and its surroundings throughout the centuries, for example Vill Serbelloni (15th century), now a property of the Rockefeller Foundation.

    1 hour Admission ticket free
  • Villa Carlotta (Pass by)

    This Baroque mansion, surrounded by a magnificent garden which also hosted, in the 19th century, such artists as Gustave Flaubert and Stendhal, was commissioned by Marquis Clerici. Here, a collection of neoclassical works of art (Antonio Canova, Bertel Thorvaldsen and Francesco Hayez) and furniture dating back to that period, is kept.

    Admission ticket free
  • Tremezzo (Pass by)

    This small village, on the Western coast of lake Lario, is well known for its public gardens, designed by rationalist architect Pietro Lingeri, and for Villa Carlotta, a Baroque mansion surrounded by a magnificent garden which also hosted, in the 19th century, such artists as Gustave Flaubert and Stendhal.

    Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by Book Your Italy

Tags

Day Trips
Nature and Wildlife Tours
Full-day Tours
Bus Tours
Private Sightseeing Tours
Cultural Tours
Art Tours
Walking Tours
Water Tours
Nature Walks
Car Tours
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

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Rating

5.0 Based on 4 4 reviews
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