Discovery Italy

Day 1: HISTORICAL TOWN OF COMO, LAKE & FARM FACTORY “IL VECCHIO FIENILE” by bike
Local wine tasting
Arrival in Milan or in Bergamo,welcome by the Discover Italy Now Tour Leader and transfer to 3* Hotel or B & B in Como. Refreshing welcome drink and free time to begin to immerse yourself in the fascinating atmosphere of the lake.
After check-in and a refreshment drink you are going to begin the discovery of Como
Lunch at Restaurant - Pizzeria “Funicolare” or “Borgo S. Agostine”, both located in the most picturesque areas of the town of Como, enjoying wonderful panoramic views of the first branch of Lake Como
Together with the tour leader you are going to start your bike tour and visit:
-Cathedral of Piazza Duomo
-Broletto, the beautiful Gothic building
-Piazza Verdi with monuments that recall different historical periods (medieval walls, neo-classical theater)
-via V. Emanuele
-Basilica of St. Fedele and the medieval tower
-Porta Torre
It is going to be a biking trip back to the past old days ...If there will be some time left you will bike towards Tempio Voltiano- Voltiano Temple and then along the lake to Villa Olmo to admire the neoclassical villas and the Memorial War Monument.

Evening: Biking tour to the Farm House “Il Vecchio Fienile” a few miles from Como. Recipes and local dishes are going to be tasted in a distinctive environment surrounded by nature.Wine tastingBack to the hotel

Day 2: TOUR OF LAKE COMO WITH A SAILING BOAT, BRUNATE BY CABLE CAR & THE SILK MUSEUM
Trip by boat to the center of Lake Como.
Your Tour leader is going to show you the most interesting and suggestive spots and monuments of both lake shores:
-Torno and Blevio with the beautiful nineteenth-century villas
-the sixteenth-century Villa Plinian
-Cernobbio with the prestigious Villa Erba (transformed in a Congress Centre)
-Villa D'Este (now luxury hotel)
-Villa Pizzo with its immense park.
Villa Fontanelle (property of Versace), situated in Moltrasio
Villa Le Rose (where Churchill used to stay) as well as other historic mansions of rare beauty.
The tour leader will also show the typical villages, the beautiful Island Comacina and the beautiful tower of St. Maria Maddalena
Lunch by the lake
By cable car to Brunate and walk to the lighthouse of San Maurizio..A visit of the Romanesque basilica of St. Abbondio and the Silk Museum of Como, are also on the schedule.

Evening: dinner together or free evening in search of your favorite restaurant

Day 3: BIKE TOUR AROUND LAKE COMO AND LAKE LECCO
STOPS: CERNOBBIO – SALA COMACINA – COMACINA ISLAND – TREMEZZO – MENAGGIO – GRAVEDONA – MENAGGIO – BELLAGGIO – VARENNA - LIERNA – MANDELLO DEL LARIO – LECCO
COMO – CERNOBBIO, 5,5 km by bike
Stop for refreshments and a visit of Villa Erba, Villa D’Este and the park along the lake

CERNOBBIO – SALA COMACINA, 20 km by bike
Lunch by the lake at “Taverna Bleu” and visit of the picturesque village and the Island of Comacina that will be reached by boat. On Comacina island will be visited the fifteenth century Church of St. Giovanni and the remains of the Church of S. Eufemia, built in the seventh century and rebuilt in the eleventh century.

Evening: Accommodation in 3* Hotel, B&B or Farm House

Day 4: ITINERANT TOUR AROUND LAKE COMO AND LECCO
SALA COMACINA - TREMEZZO 5,5 km by bike
The morning starts with a bike tour SALA COMACINA - TREMEZZO, 5,5 km through landscapes that leave you breathless.
A visit of the ancient villa Carlotta and its Botanical Garden is on the schedule.
TREMEZZO - MENAGGIO 5,5 km by bike
Lunch in a suggestive trattoria and the tour continues towards Menaggio where you are going to stop for a refreshment and to enjoy the magnificent view of the lake.
MENAGGIO – GRAVEDONA 17 km by bike
The itinerary includes a stop by the lake and a visit of the ancient castle, Gallio Palace, the charming churches of San Vincenzoand Santa Maria del Tiglio.

Evening: Accommodation in 3* Hotel, B&B or Farm House

Day 5: ITINERANT TOUR AROUND LAKE COMO AND LAKE LECCO
Local wine tasting
GRAVEDONA – MENAGGIO - BELLAGGIO 17 km by bike.
Once in Mennaggio you are going to take the boat (and bring your bike on it) and visit the picturesque village of Bellagio, the pearl of the lake, famous for its position on the branch of Lake Como.
You are going to visit the imposing Villa Serbelloni & Villa Melzi including their romantic gardens, stroll along the alleys and beautiful and sweet-smelling azaleas and camelias that will take you back in time, during the years when the European nobility used to organize parties by Lake Como, considered a very romantic place.
You are also going to discover the narrow streets and picturesque staircases overlooked by interesting shops.
Lunch at Bar-Trattoria “La Busciona” with its beautiful veranda overlooking the lake, tasting the specialties of the lake, at Pizzeria Restaurant “Bella Vista” or in a restaurant or pizzeria of your choice
BELLAGGIO – VARENNA by boat; in Varenna you are going to live the romanesque atmosphere, walking on the narrow streets that fall steeply towards Lake Como. You visit the San Giorgio church, the neoclassical Villa Isimbardi, Villa Cipresi and Villa Monastero

Evening: Dinner in a local restaurant and pizzeria
Local wine tasting
Accommodation in 3* Hotel, B&B or Farm House

Day 6: ITINERARY AROUND LAKE COMO AND LECCO
VARENNA – LIERNA 7 km by bike
Once in Lierna you relax on Riva Bianca equipped for bathing.
Alternatively, you can choose to relax and enjoy the beautiful view of the lake.in local restaurant tasting the local specialties of fish and then you continue towards the next destination
LIERNA – MANDELLO DEL LARIO, 6 km by bike
In Mandello you visit the church of San Lorenzoand the picturesque Maggiana, a village situated on a terrace overlooking the centre of the lake and Mandello.
You bike towards Maggiana village for a visit of the Tower of Barbarossaand then towards Grotta Ferrera /Ferrera cave in the resort of Acqua Bianca, a few miles from Mandello del Lario.

Evening: Dinner, relax and accommodation in B&B or Farm House

Day 7: ITINERANT TOUR AROUND LAKE COMO AND LAKE LECCO
MANDELLO DEL LARIO – LECCO 15 KM by bike
Panoramically, Lecco is considered the most beautiful city of Lake Como.
It was inhabited by the famous Italian writer Alessandro Manzoni, who described it in many pages of his famous novel “I promessi sposi”/"The Betrothed."
It will be an unforgettable visit with amazing views over the lake, not missing the opportunity to visit as well the old town with beautiful buildings and nineteenth-century marks of neoclassicism.
Lunch in local trattoria.

Evening: end of the program dinner
Accommodation in 3* Hotel or B&B