Are you searching for a new destination for your 2020 holiday?
Look no further! We recommend a self guided walking holiday in the Italian lakes on Lake Como, the perle of the Italian lakes! A gentle way of life with beautiful walks between lake and mountains: the real dolce vita! When arriving on Lake Como, you are instantly charmed by the natural beauty and the explosion of colour : luxurious nature, lakeside landscape, pleasant climate, sumptuous villas, botanical gardens and turquoise waters with the mountains painting a dramatic backdrop. Lake Como has long been a favorite haunt of many a celebrity and there is something for everyone to enjoy, whether you are looking for a cultural getaway, some lakeside walks or are a nautical sports enthousiast.
Here are our favorite things to see and do on Lake Como :
1. Visit the villas and gardens on your Italian lakes hiking holiday
Since the Renaissance period, Lake Como has attracted the rich families of Milan who decided to call the lake region home and built sumptuous villas. Each family wanted their villa to be the more beautiful than the neighboring one. As a result, each villa is just as magnificent as the next. The architechture was inspired by Tuscan palaces and villas of ancient Rome and aristocrats, artists and intellectuals of the time would congregate in these magnificent dwellings. The villas are surrounded by stunning botanical gardens and are well worth a visit, especially during the spring where they offer a symphony of aromas and colours. One of the most famous villas is the Balbianello in Lenno which has been used as a setting in many a film. Who knows, you may stumble upon a film set and be cast as the next James Bond!
2. Explore the fishing villages
OK, so the villas may well be the WOW factor, but Lake Como has other hidden gems such as the numerous fishing villages that dot the lakeside. One of the most visited is Bellagio, nicknamed ‘the perle of the Lario’ due to its central position between the 2 branches of Lake Como. This Bourgeois village attracts the wealthy population of Milan and has become the Italian St Tropez. If you happen to be in Bellagio on a Sunday you can feast your eyes on some of the most luxurious cars as their proud owners take them out for a weekly spin! Bellagio is an idyllic place for a stroll : small, narrow streets, gardens overflowing with camelias and rhododendrons and beautiful panoramic hiking paths. It will add a little ‘bling’ to your walking holiday in Italy.
You can’t possibly stay on Lake Como without visiting the very beautiful village of Lenno. When strolling along the promenade, you have a breath taking views of the hills and the lake. If you are there during the summer months, you can enjoy a swim in the lake and some relaxation on the stunning pebble beach. Your Italy walking tour can include many of these fishing villages and you can hop from one to the other by boat. Each village is unique and we couldn’t possibly choose a favorite!
3. A hike along the Viandante
This beautiful trail, dating back to the Roman era, takes you on a self-guided walk above the lake and leads you to many hidden treasures on the eastern shore. The trail dominates over the lake and offers stuning views of the glistening waters, bobbing boats and imposing mountains.
4. Sip on a Spritz
As the saying goes ‘when in Rome …’ and what better way to soak up the local atmosphere than with a large glass of the regions best! As a reward for all the milage covered on foot during your Italian lakes walking trip, treat yourself to a sit down on a café terrace and sip a Spritz whilst contemplating the dolce vita!
