Attractions: Villa Monastero

From Bellagio, you’ll set off on a suggestive boat trip across Lake Como, sailing past spectacular scenery and charming lakeside villages. As you move through the waters, you’ll see Varenna and its elegant historic villas, including Villa Monastero, and pass Villa Carlotta, celebrated for its lush gardens. Along the way you’ll glimpse Villa del Balbianello, made famous by films such as Star Wars and Casino Royale, and the dream home Villa Balbiano, known for its role as a backdrop in House of Gucci. The cruise includes a stop at Isola Comacina and a passage in front of Villa Melzi, set in a well-kept green landscape. On the boat a billboard will give instructions to download the audio guide app; headphones are not provided. Please note that on weekends, because of large turnout and restrictive embarkation and disembarkation times at the piers, the tour may be shorter.

On Lake Como, beneath the Lombardy Pre-Alps, you’ll board an exclusive boat and cruise across the lake’s clear waters. As you move along the shore, ancient villages will be reflected in the calm surface and majestic mountains will create a striking backdrop. Along the way, each stop will lead you to discover hidden treasures and breathtaking views, from quiet bays to scenic shorelines. For romantics, a sunset on the lake may be particularly evocative, as the sun slips behind the mountains and paints the sky in warm tones. For families, the stops will offer opportunities to explore hidden beaches or to take a dip in the crystal‑clear water and make shared memories. The experience focuses on the scenery and small coastal sights, giving you a relaxed way to see Lake Como from the water and enjoy its timeless beauty.

You will explore Lake Como’s most celebrated villages on a premium small-group tour with a maximum of ten guests. A private boat, reserved exclusively for your group, will take you across the water to Varenna and Bellagio — two timeless lakeside villages known for colourful architecture, stone pathways and mountain views. Your professional guide will share stories and local insight through a whisper audio system, ensuring every guest hears clearly. Villa Monastero admission, private boat transport and expert guidance are included. In Varenna you will visit Villa Monastero and its famous botanical gardens along the waterfront. Walk beneath ancient trees, follow terraced paths and enjoy lake views from the estate. After free time for lunch, you will cross to Bellagio, where quiet alleys, local shops and scenic viewpoints await as you explore with your guide. The day will be thoughtfully paced to let you take in the scenery and heritage of both villages.

In Bellagio you will enjoy sweeping views across Lake Como and a guided walk through the town. Along the way the guide will lead you through Bellagio’s streets and into the elegant gardens of Villa Melzi, where you can admire the landscaping and lakeside vistas. After exploring Bellagio, you will cross the lake on a public ferry to the town of Varenna. There the visit will include the splendid Villa Monastero and its grounds, the medieval church of St. Jakob, and time to stroll Varenna’s town centre. The crossing is made on a public ferry rather than a private boat, and the tour focuses on walking and guided visits in both towns.

You will start with a scenic cruise on Lake Como aboard private navigation, passing grand villas and sweeping lakeside scenery. The experience includes three customizable stops, so you may call at a charming village such as Bellagio, the Pearl of the Lake, or Varenna with its romantic alleys and panoramic views. You’ll have time to stroll and soak in the atmosphere. Along the way you’ll enjoy a lakeside lunch at a selected restaurant (meal not included) and visit a historic villa. Options typically include Villa del Balbianello’s timeless elegance, the romantic Villa Monastero, or the lush gardens of Villa Melzi. An optional onboard guide will be available if you’d like local commentary. On the return cruise you can relax on deck and admire the lake bathed in the golden afternoon light. This experience is suitable for couples, families or small groups seeking a flexible, private way to explore Lake Como.

From Como, you’ll set out across Lake Como with a private skipper and a local guide, enjoying the lake’s shimmering waters and the views that make this area famous. Along the way you’ll visit two celebrated villas: Villa del Balbianello in Lenno and Villa Melzi in Bellagio. When Villa del Balbianello is closed (Monday and Wednesday), that visit will be replaced with a visit to Villa Monastero in Varenna. Between villa visits you’ll have relaxed moments on board and time to stroll the lakeside towns at your own pace. As you move through the day, your guide will share insight into Lake Como’s culture, art and heritage, bringing local stories and context to the places you see. The pace is unhurried, with opportunities to explore gardens, waterfronts and village streets while enjoying the views from the water. This offers a personal and informative way to experience Lake Como’s landscapes and history.

You will begin in Bellagio, the ‘pearl’ of Lake Como, and sail into a natural amphitheatre of striking scenery. Along the way, the route will take you to Varenna, intimate and romantic with its elegant Villa Monastero, before crossing to Menaggio and the scenic Tremezzo, where the view is dominated by Villa Carlotta. The sail will also offer views of Villa del Balbianello, known as a setting for famous international films, alongside more secluded residences such as Villa La Cassinella and Villa Balbiano. As you move through the central lake, the boat will pass Isola Comacina and the refined gardens of Villa Melzi before returning to port. Once ashore in Bellagio, the experience will continue with a tasting lunch at a selected restaurant. The culinary stop is designed to pair the landscape’s beauty with authentic Italian flavours, providing a relaxed finale to the lakeside voyage.

This daily self-guided excursion will take you to the village of Varenna, often called the diamond of Lake Como, and to the famed Villa Carlotta. At Villa Carlotta you’ll see the majestic botanical garden, which is part of the circuit of the Great Italian Gardens, and explore its large rooms where famous works of art are exhibited. You’ll also visit Villa Monastero in Varenna, with its lush botanical garden that borders Lake Como and a museum that tells more than eight centuries of history. Along the way you’ll have time to wander the village streets and lakeside views. The experience includes an aperitif with a view to enjoy as you take in the scenery.

In Varenna you will join Cristina Rovelli for an intimate experience that blends nature, history and local culture. Cristina is known as the first female gamekeeper in Italy, and her presence shapes the way the town and its surroundings are seen and felt. As you move through Varenna, the focus is on observation and curiosity rather than a rigid itinerary. Along the way you will explore the natural setting and learn about the area's history and cultural life through Cristina’s perspective. Expect moments that connect landscape and heritage, and insights that come from someone with a long relationship to the local environment. The combination of local knowledge and personal stories makes the visit memorable, and many people find the experience stays in the heart.