Lenno, Tremezzo, Menaggio

Technical information

Description

If you love noble villas, this itinerary is for you! Set off from Bellagio by boat, maybe taking advantage of daily free-circulation tickets, and go to Lenno to visit Villa del Balbianello, currently owned by FAI (Italian National Trust). The villa is located on a small, flourishing peninsula and welcomes you in a romantic, timeless atmosphere, with reception rooms, artistic gardens and a broad panorama that makes it one of Lake Como’s most scenic residences. During the guided tour, one of the places you will discover is the Museum of Expeditions, which tells the story of the mountaineering explorations of Guido Monzino, the first Italian to reach the summit of Mount Everest and the last owner of the villa, as well as various artistic collections, the fabulous garden featuring plants pruned in unusual ways and the eighteenth-century Loggia Durini. Thanks to its beauty and uniqueness, a great many visitors and even famous film directors have fallen in love with Villa del Balbianello, choosing it as the location for their films.

The second historic residence of the day is Villa Carlotta. In this case, you have two options: going to Tremezzina by boat, or following the scenic Lake Como Greenway, which takes about an hour and a half on foot. Upon arrival, an architectural and botanical paradise awaits you, making you feel like the star of a regal universe: Princess Charlotte’s apartments, the artistic exhibitions with works by Canova and Hayez, among others, as well as the romantic Italian gardens with a view of the lake, containing an abundance of flowers, plants and themed sectors.

At the end of the day, move on to Menaggio by boat, for a visit to the historic centre, a walk along the waterfront and a well-deserved aperitif to sip slowly at sunset, before returning to Bellagio.