At enchanting Lake Como, renowned for its dramatic scenery, idyllic gardens, and palatial villas, you’ll spend a glorious day living like the rich and famous. You could take the funicular railway up to hilltop Brunate for incredible lake views or stroll the romantic streets of Bellagio below balconies covered in bougainvillea, stopping at a local winery for a wine tasting. Admire the iconic Villa Carlotta across the lake before sailing to the tiny village of Varenna, where you could step into the medieval Church of Saint George, see the milky white water of the Fiumelatte (the shortest river in Italy), or relax on the terrace of Varenna’s best-loved aperitivo spot, for a refreshing spritz and Italian delicacies.

With a local host, you’ll board the train from Milan to picturesque Lake Como at the foothills of the Alps – a playground for aristocrats and the fabulously wealthy since Roman times. You’ll walk in the footsteps of George Clooney and Madonna as you board a 45-minute ferry to historic Bellagio, the old town dotted with opulent lakeside villas and elaborate gardens. Its cobbled main road, via Giuseppe Garibaldi, is the perfect place to browse tiny boutiques and sit down for a glass of wine or an espresso before taking the ferry north to peaceful Varenna, home to lush hiking trails, botanical gardens and “Lover’s Walk” – a storybook alley at the ferry terminal where you could grab an artisanal bite before sailing back to the train station.