Villa Balbianello and Flavors of Lake Como Walking and Boating Full-Day Tour
Overview
Explore Lake Como by land and water on this full-day walking and boating tour, with a visit to the gardens of Villa Melzi and Villa del Balbianello. Sample local cheeses, meats, olive oil, and wine, take a walking tour of Varenna and gain insight into the region’s Celtic heritage. Savor a tasty lunch of fish appetizers and pasta in a local restaurant, then admire sweeping views over Lake Como’s villas and gardens during a sightseeing cruise in a Venetian taxi. Disembark at Villa del Balbianello to take pics and enjoy the view, then cruise onwards to Bellagio, where you shall be guided through the wonderful Villa Melzi gardens, followed by a stroll along the lakeside.
Inclusions
- Professional, English-speaking guide
- Tasting of delicious local specialties in a charming old mill
- Guided walking Tour of Varenna
- Special lunch in a local restaurant: starters, pasta, water, a glass of wine and coffee
- 1.5h Boat Tour (open top Venetian taxi)
- Tickets to Villa del Balbianello
- Tickets to Villa Melzi
- Entry/Admission - Villa del Balbianello
- Entry/Admission - I Giardini di Villa Melzi
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Villa del Balbianello, Via Guido Monzino 1 Località Lenno, 22016, Tremezzina Italy
.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: I Giardini di Villa Melzi, Lungolario Manzoni, 22021 Bellagio Italy
.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Chiesa di San Giorgio, Piazza San Giorgio 25, 23829 Varenna Italy
The group will enter the church and be given a detailed description.
Duration: 15 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Villa del Balbianello, Via Guido Monzino 1 Località Lenno, 22016, Tremezzina Italy
.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: I Giardini di Villa Melzi, Lungolario Manzoni, 22021 Bellagio Italy
.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Chiesa di San Giorgio, Piazza San Giorgio 25, 23829 Varenna Italy
The group will enter the church and be given a detailed description.
Duration: 15 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- A minimum of 2 adults per booking is required
- A maximum of 11 people per booking
- Dress code is casual, comfortable shoes
- Near public transportation
- A fair amount of walking is involved. The trail to the mill for the morning tasting entails a descent with some steep steps which must also be ascended on the return trip. Please make sure you are physically adapt and wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Infants must sit on laps
- The tour runs rain or shine. In case of bad weather conditions it is possible that the tour undergoes some slight changes and that the transfer to Villa Balbianello is done using public transport and not with the private boat taxi due to safety reasons
- Please Note: hotel pickup is not included for this activity, please get in touch in case you wish for us to organise it as an extra.
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- We are following Italy's Covid rules as they change. We do not ask for vaccination or tests to take our tours but suggest bringing with you a FFP2 mask in case it is needed on transports.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 11 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
David_S
June 2019
enjoyed this tour. food was delicious and guide was knowledgeable.. learned alot about the lake como region in a fun way
enjoyed this tour. food was delicious and guide was knowledgeable.. learned alot about the lake como region in a fun wayNomad29044365488
June 2019
The tour guide was really nice. Villa balbianello was really great. So was the varrena tour and food served.
The tour guide was really nice. Villa balbianello was really great. So was the varrena tour and food served.Joseph_P
June 2019
This tour was a great way to experience a bit of all the things you want to see and do at Lake Como in one tour. Get out on the water, visit the top Villa, lunch with an incredible view as well as wine and food tasting with some history. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, friendly, well ve...
This tour was a great way to experience a bit of all the things you want to see and do at Lake Como in one tour. Get out on the water, visit the top Villa, lunch with an incredible view as well as wine and food tasting with some history. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, friendly, well versed in English and a true joy to spend time with.Sherpa37465762885
June 2019
We lucked out with a private tour as no one else booked this all-day adventure (their loss). Elena, our guide, spoke perfect English and adjusted the itinerary as my daughter wanted to see the local castle and because we wanted to do more hiking. Please be aware this is a hiking tour; not for the...
We lucked out with a private tour as no one else booked this all-day adventure (their loss). Elena, our guide, spoke perfect English and adjusted the itinerary as my daughter wanted to see the local castle and because we wanted to do more hiking. Please be aware this is a hiking tour; not for the lazy or unfit. You will hike up and down several hills. But the experience is so worth it. We sampled local wines (2 times), ate local food, and sampled local olive oil. The private boat tour gave us incredible views of the Alps and local villages (Varenna, etc.). We visited the gorgeous Villa Balbianello and ended our adventure with a walking tour of the gardens near Bellagio. Although the price may seem high, it is worth every penny. This day trip was a highlight of our 2 week visit to Europe, and it will not be forgotten. If you are thinking of going cheap (which I usually do), don't. You will regret booking a different tour.Polyxeni A
May 2019
Worth the money an amazing experience with a grate tour guide, David was passionate and knowledgeable and made this day an amazing experience. Not to be missed
Worth the money an amazing experience with a grate tour guide, David was passionate and knowledgeable and made this day an amazing experience. Not to be missedBHShrink
May 2019
My husband and I had a great day with another friendly couple and excellent tour guide. We are so glad we chose this tour—it really was one of the highlights of our trip.
My husband and I had a great day with another friendly couple and excellent tour guide. We are so glad we chose this tour—it really was one of the highlights of our trip.