| Lake Como Walk details |
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Duration: 8 Days/7 Nights
Departing from: Como, Sunday morning Day 2
Tour finishes: Lenno (an easy transfer to Como), Saturday morning
Private Departures Only: Please contact us for details. Price: €1,950 per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement: €200.
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Above Lake Como
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Visit Villa Balbianella
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Spot the Donkey.
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High-protein, low-carbs!
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Lovely afternoon sun
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Stunning alpine vistas
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Collecting wild flowers during
the descent from Monte Generoso
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ancient alpine hamlets
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Lake Como Walk |
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Lake Como Walk Itinerary
Preview - Set serenely atop the Lombard Plains of Northern Italy, amongst the foothills of the soaring Alps and a short distance from fashionable Milan, the Lakes region is a world unto itself. Our hikes will capture the beauty of it all, from Alpine villages to opulent lakeside villas. We hike along the high crest of Monte Brunate for our first enthralling vistas of Lake Como. A family-run alpine restaurant offers up hearty food and superb views from their panoramic terrace. A cog train whisks us to the summit of Monte Generoso. From here, we walk down to the village of Lanzo d'Intelvi for grand views of Lake Lugano. Lanzo's stone farmhouses, fringed with ancient cedars, give the town a magic atmosphere. Our hikes take us back in time as we pass villages and hamlets seemingly untouched by the rush of modern life. From our lovely hotel on the shore in Lenno, quaint boats ferry us from village to village, allowing us to relax and fully enjoy the beauty of the region.
Day 1 - Saturday: Independent arrival in Como. Your hotel, the Hotel Firenze, is located on a quiet pedestrian piazza just a 5-minute walk from the train station. Enjoy an evening and dinner on your own. Hotel included. Dinner and transfer not included.
Day 2 - Sunday: Meet your guide(s) after breakfast and take a short transfer up to the Alpine look-out of Alpe del Vicere to start your walk. Wind your way leisurely along the high ridge of Monte Brunate for breathtaking views of the lake and city of Como. We stop for lunch en route at a "baita," an Alpine-style chalet that has been turned into a restaurant for hikers. Try the fabulous polenta with porcini mushrooms. A steep descent back to Como is ingeniously avoided by using the Monte Brunate funicular (cable car). There is time this afternoon to explore Como's narrow cobbled streets and spacious piazzas. Overnight in Como. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.
Day 3 - Monday: After breakfast we leave Como and transfer to Capolago, in Switzerland, where we will board a "cog" train for an exhilarating ride to the top of Monte Generoso. The summit, at 5,577 feet, provides an unforgettable view onto the distant snow-capped Alps. Our hike leads us down to the village of Lanzo d'Intelvi, located in an alpine valley above Lake Lugano. The trail takes us through verdant cedar forests and past charming stone farmhouses. Our hotel tonight is the Albergo Belvedere in Lanzo. It is set in a wooded park with views onto the surrounding mountains. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.
Day 4 - Tuesday: We start the day with a loop hike through pristine alpine meadows and rustic farm villages. This afternoon we have a cooking demonstration and a chance to sample and learn the host's family recipes, followed by dinner. Overnight in Lanzo. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.
Day 5 - Wednesday: We start with a van transfer up to the Baita Buffalora from where we follow a stone military road past World War I bunkers to the top of Monte Crocione. We then loop back for a fireside lunch in the Baita before descending to Pigra. At Pigra we catch a cable-car down to the shores of Lake Como. Throughout the day we will see the majestic mountains of the Tre Sassi that tower over the eastern shore of the lake. We then board a local ferryboat to the village of Lenno and the Hotel San Giorgio, our home for the next three nights. The San Giorgio is truly a special place. It was built in the 1920s and is still owned and operated by the same family, who have retained its Old World charm and hospitality. The hotel is located on a quiet bay with beautiful shaded gardens extending to the lakeshore, an ideal place to hang up the hiking boots, relax and enjoy the beauty of Lake Como. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.
Day 6 - Thursday: The day begins with a ferry ride to the opposite shore of the lake to the beautiful village of Bellagio, where we visit the park and gardens of the Villa Melzi. Optional afternoon hike to the Abbazia Acquafredda, a 15th century abbey above Lenno. Optional late afternoon visit of the local olive oil press in Lenno. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.
Day 7 - Friday: Morning walk to San Martino for a picnic lunch before descending to the famous Villa Carlotta. We have a guided visit of this 17th century villa that was once home to Prince Albert of Prussia. Optional afternoon walk to the village of Sala Comacina, or simply choose to relax in the lovely gardens of our hotel. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.
Day 8 - Saturday: After breakfast return by boat to Como and transfer from there to your next destination. We have not included the final transfer because the departure options are too numerous. Some may wish to linger and others may have an early departure. There are many boats that you can take as well as buses; you
can take a fast hydrofoil back to Como (25 minutes) or extend
your vacation by taking a leisurely and scenic slow ferry
back to Como (1 hour and a half) or finally you can opt to take the bus
to Como (1 hour). Breakfast included.
General Information
| Note on Itinerary: Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.
Qualifications: This trip is rated moderate with some challenging stretches. There are some steep ascents and descents. Some prior hiking experience is beneficial but anyone in good physical condition will have no problems with the walks. We regularly walk between 10-16 kms a day (6-10 miles), which translates into about 3-4 hours of walking more or less equally divided between morning and afternoon. This may sound like a lot, but we make frequent stops to take pictures, have a cappuccino, or simply enjoy the view. However, a regular conditioning program consisting of walking/running and a daily stretching regimen is recommended, beginning at least 3 months prior to departure. This will get you in shape and ensure that you are able to enjoy fully all that this wonderful trip has to offer.
Van Support and luggage transfers: When required and indicated in the itinerary, we use van transfers to shuttle you from the beginning and end of the hikes. Your luggage is moved by van from hotel to hotel.
Trip Cost Includes: All accommodations (2 nights Como, 2 nights Lanzo d'Intelvi, 3 nights Lenno in 3-star hotels); 7 breakfasts and 5 dinners; bilingual guide or guides; all van and luggage transfers from pick-up in Como Day 2 until Friday Day 7; guided visit of Villa Balbianella and entrance to the Villa Melzi in Bellagio; cog train tickets for Monte Generoso; ferry tickets.
Not Included: Round-trip airfare; airport/hotel transfers; lunches; one dinner travel insurance; gratuities; alcoholic beverages and items of a personal nature.
Reservations and payment: In order to reserve a space on the trip, a non-refundable deposit of $200 USD or €200 (depending on the trip) is required. Please contact us at info@customwalks.com or go to the Reservations page on our website for more information. We will send you a trip agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of payment and cancellation.
Weather: In May and June, the climate is generally sunny and warm with daytime temperatures in the 80s and evening temperatures dropping 10-20 degrees. Rain showers are a possibility but typically do not last longer than a few hours. September and October weather is similar, but temperatures can be slightly cooler with fewer daylight hours. Some rainfall is possible on any of the departures requiring participants to arrive equipped with appropriate raingear.
Getting there (this will redirect you to our "Getting to the Trip" page)
General Information: This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the CustomWalks Ltd. reservation information and trip agreement. Please read this information carefully and e-mail us (or use the "Contact Us" page) if you have any questions. We highly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance which you can do through CustomWalks Ltd or by clicking on the logo below (another window will open up on your screen).
We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited. Send us an email or fax to reserve your trip. Full trip details including detailed pre-departure information, train timetables, and a gear list are sent upon receipt of deposit.
Come join us! |
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