The Italian Lakes – Lovely Lake Como

SUMMARY

Date: Saturday August 30th to Friday September 5th – 6 nights and 7 days 

Guide: Vania de Paoli

Walking Grade: Goat Level 2 .

Max elevation: 550m

Terrain: The walks require a certain level of fitness. We will be walking on roads, cobbled paths, dirt roads, narrow paths, some with a bit of rocky terrain. Some ascents and descents can be steep. We recommend walking poles if you usually use them.

Max distance: Walks are up to 12km.Walks are varied and give you spectacular views of the Lake.

We will be travelling by boat, public transport and some private transfers to get you to the best spots. By the end of this trip you will have fully explored this magical,beautiful part of Italy.

Highlights: The stunning walks, staying at a traditional,nostalgic Villa hotel with its own private entry to the lake and swimming from the sun decks, the boat rides, evening meals overlooking the lake in the hotels own restaurant.

Base: Hotel Villa Aurora , a family run hotel and Villa on the shore of Lake Como, Lezzeno. WalkingWomen has reserved 10 rooms at the Villa for our sole use. All rooms are with a lake view that is  known as one of the most beautiful in the world. This is a wonderful spot for swimmers. We have our own private sun deck and access to Lake Como. There are also kayaks and paddle boards free to use and boats to rent. The Hotel has been owned by the Gregorio Family since 1965 and they have lovingly restored this charming historic residence which provides all modern amenities that guest could want. This is a special place and quite a find recommended by one of our walking women.

The nearest airport is Milan with a train service that will get you to Como San Giovani Station in under 2 hours. We will arrange one group pick up from Milan Malpensa Airport at 16.00 – the journey time to Hotel Aurora is approx 1 hour 25 minutes.

The nearest train station is Como San Giovanni and there is a bus or boat service to Lezzeno which takes approx 50 minutes. We can advise on travel.

Arrivals: Saturday August 30th for a 18.30 briefing with your guide. In time for a swim and orientation before your evening meal.

Departures: Friday September 5th after breakfast. The group transfer to the airport will leave at 10am. Book flights after 14.00 .

Price: £2700 for solo occupancy with a lake view like no other!

Includes :

• Your own unique villa room with private sun deck, shared terrace or balcony.
• A hearty breakfast
• Lunches on the 4 walking days (could be packed or a stop in a local restaurant)
• Evening Meals at the hotel terrace restaurant. You eat overlooking the Lake. The chef is one of the family.
• Access to the Lake via the private beach or sun deck.
• Local guided walks by an english speaking Italian Guide ( she will be with you throughout your holiday)
• A group transfer picking up from Milan Airport and return
• All local transport to your walks – bus,boat or private taxi
• Support from WalkingWomen with all your planning

Not included:

• Your travel to Milan or Como
• Lunch on your free day
• Wines/drinks not included in meals
• Additional excursions not on the itinerary

DETAILS

This is a very special holiday to bring our WalkingWomen Guests a unique experience of the Italian Lakes. You walk with our Italian guide, Vania, who has put together a fabulous programme of walks to explore the area.

This is also a holiday where you could bring a friend/partner who may not want to walk but does want to experience Lake Como. Our accommodation is right on the Lake and a beautiful,peaceful place to relax. There is swimming, boat trips and a superbly positioned restaurant. The soothing sound of the waves are all around you.

Some of the sights that you may have heard of and can visit:

Lezzeno – the local village with a population of just 2000 people. There is a bar/restaurant and a small shop.

Bellagio villas and gardens. One of the 19th Century popular tourist destinations with its beautiful architecture and landscapes.

Villa Carlotta – a gift to the Prussian Princess Carlotta and open to the public. If you’re a garden lover you can walk amongst the magnificent garden with its array of rare plants. Visitors come from all over the world.

Como – the town itself which is accessible from Lezzeno by fast or slow boat or local bus. Lots of shops, cafes, ice cream parlours and restaurants and a great place to wander around.

The easy access to boats makes our hotel a perfect base for exploring.

ITINERARY

The itinerary is to give you an idea of the walks. These may change depending on the weather and at the discretion of your local guide. You will be briefed each day about the next days walk.

DAY 1 – Saturday ARRIVAL day.

There will be a briefing around 18.30 at the hotel followed by dinner.

DAY 2 – STRADA REGIA  FROM NESSO TO LEZZENO – a shorter walk after travelling and to test your legs!

8,4 km – 230 m up – 280 m down

Today we start by taking the local bus to the small town of Nesso, just fifteen minutes away from Lezzeno. We will walk part of  Strada Regia, the old pathways that used to connect the towns between Como and Bellagio. Our walk starts in this little town. We take some cobbled pathways through town and we can admire the authentic side of these little villages. A stoney bridge and a waterfall are just the first photo opportunity of the day.

Leaving the lake side, we take a path uphill through the forest, paved with steps in some parts, a bit rocky in others. Here and there we can spot some beautiful views on the lake and villages on the other shore.

Once out of the forest path, we find ourselves in small villages again and we walk through little roads, until we reach our Hotel Villa Aurora at lunch time.

You can enjoy the hotel private beach in the afternoon.

DAY 3 – MENAGGIO AND VAL SANAGRA

9 km – 360 m up and down.

Today we catch the ferry across the lake to arrive in the town of Menaggio, one of the picturesque villages of Lake Como.

The walk leads us through the town  and we walk to the beginning of the paths of Val Sanagra. Val Sanagra is a valley carved by the homonymous river, in the past there used to be mills, using the water to power the machines.

At first we take an upper cobbled path through the forest, which ends in the small borgo of Barna, made of just a few houses and a church. Here we can stop for a wine tasting experience in a cellar located in an old stable.

From the village we take a path again through the forest and reach the Sanagra valley. Here you will have some time to explore the gorge and have your packed lunch.

We then walk along the river and back to Menaggio.

For those that would like more detail please click the link below.

Menaggio Walk

DAY 4 – FREE DAY

DAY 5 – BELLAGIO

11,7 km – 540 m up – 540 m down

Today we catch the bus to Bellagio, one of the most well known villages on Lake Como. Our walk takes us out of the crowds and lets us explore a less known face of this area.

We start right from the harbour and we walk along the lake, to then start going up and take the path that leads us through forest and old terraces. The ascent is steep, but mostly in the shade. We reach small towns on top of the hills just behind Bellagio and here we find Baita Belvedere, where we can stop for a drink on a terrace with stunning views of the lake. After the baita we have a little stop and have our packed lunch.

A path in the forest takes us back to the small towns on top of Bellagio and finally back in town, where there will be time to explore the village.

For those wanting to read the detail Bellagio Ring

DAY 6 – GREENWAY OF LAKE COMO

10 km – 200 m

Today we reach again the other side of the Lake and we start the Greenway of Lake Como in the town of Colonno.

The Greenway is a path that stretches on the west coast through villages, churches, gardens and villas. It goes up and down from top of towns to the side of the lake.

Views are beautiful all the way along the path.

We will end this walk by Villa Carlotta, one of the most beautiful in the area, with its stunning gardens. There is the option of visiting the villa or having a drink enjoying the atmosphere of Lake Como, before going back by ferry.

DAY 7 – DEPARTURE Day 

Group Transfer after breakfast