Walking Tours in italy

Classic Lake Como Walk

• Historic Pescallo, postcard-pretty Varenna and chic Bellagio, 'Pearl of  Como'
• Ancient castles, medieval piazze, sun-soaked villas
• Crystal blue Como, cascading waterfalls, snow-capped mountains rolling down to the lake
• Challenging high level walking: smugglers' paths, pilgrims' trails, stepped terraces of olives, cherries and almonds
• Optional extra nights in Milan, home of high fashion, fine dining, culture and La Scala Opera

Picture perfect Lake Como - one of the deepest in Europe - is set in the foothills of the Italian Alps. Its glitzy Hollywood reputation precedes it, but few people realize the striking contrasts a visit here can offer. Beyond exquisite villas, terracotta villages and landscaped gardens gracing the shore, walkers can find secret castles, remote C12 abbeys and breathtaking viewpoints linked by centuries old pilgrim trails and smugglers' paths. Stone built mountain villages are set high in wild terraced valleys, with stunning views of skyscraping Swiss Alpine peaks like La Grigne (2400m), usually snow-capped well into Spring. The walking is challenging and intensely rewarding, with some extraordinary panoramas and grandeur that only vistas of high mountain ranges can deliver.

This holiday captures both the glamour and natural beauty of Lake Como perfectly. Beginning in Torno, where your lake-view balcony room of our superbly positioned family hotel will be home for the first three nights, you then spend two nights in Bellagio in the heart of the lake, before sailing on to Varenna on the eastern shore for two nights. From each place it is easy to use the frequent ferries (pay locally) and transfers (included) to access walks showcasing the wild side of Lake Como.

Picnics on all walking days are included, as are all meals apart from two dinners in Bellagio, whose alleyways buzz with al fresco dining options and tempting trattorie.

Holiday Options