Italy’s Lake District

Day 1: Como, Italy

We meet at 4:30 p.m. at our hotel in Como, the silk capital of Europe and a city whose grand Belle Epoque hotels and lakefront promenades lend it a 19th century elegance. Here life revolves around the Piazza Cavour, with its steamer landing and sidewalk cafes. The town of Como rests at the very edge of the lake, hemmed in by the surrounding tall mountains that drop sharply into the green waters. This huge lake has three distinct branches and is more than two miles wide at its widest point. We gather for a trip briefing and welcome dinner this evening. Overnight in Como...D.

Day 2: Lenno / Villa Balbianello / Bellagio

This morning we take a hydrofoil to the village of Lenno and then a skiff to Villa Balbianello, one of the most romantic settings on the entire lake, set on the tip of a wooded promontory. A magical setting of terraced gardens and marble statuary, the villa is an Italian National Trust property that originated as a Francescan convent in the 1200s and was converted into a villa in the 18th century. Director George Lucas filmed scenes of one of his Star Wars movies here, and scenes from Casino Royale, the James Bond film, were shot here as well. Later we take a skiff to Bellagio, considered to be the pearl of the lake villages. On arrival at Bellagio, our van meets us to take us up to Perlo, where we enjoy a picnic lunch in the most spectacular setting on the entire lake. 

Day 3: Mount San Primo / Suira / Bellagio

With a lift to the trailhead, we enjoy a hike toward the highest peak in the area, Mount San Primo, at 5,528 feet. Our hike brings us among fruit orchards, chestnut and beech woods, and high summer pastures and then up to the mountain refuge of Martina for spectacular lake views and a hot lunch. For lunch, we enjoy delicious traditional foods like polenta uncia, a rustic corn meal with rye flour and several kinds of melted cheeses with garlic. We can slip into the kitchen to watch these mountain cooks make this savory dish. Depending on the season, we also enjoy porcini mushrooms, fresh goat cheese, the local dried lake fish—missoltini—and traditional mountain sweets like the cake called miascia, made with fresh mint and walnuts. After lunch, we visit a private museum in the kitchen of an old village home in the hamlet of Suira, part of Bellagio. This delightful museum was put together by a young and enterprising resident, Lucia, and is dedicated to the traditional folk cultures of the region. Among many other things, we learn about silk worms and silk, an important cottage industry for centuries in the peasant culture. We enjoy a pleasant walk back to Bellagio. Dinner is on your own this evening. Overnight in Bellagio...BLD.

Day 4: Menaggio / Lake Lugano, Switzerland / San Salvatore

A car ferry brings us across Como to Menaggio, another lovely lakeside resort. From here, a short drive brings us across the border into Switzerland to cosmopolitan Lugano on Lake Lugano. This famous town is the principal city of Ticino, the Italian canton of Switzerland. A funicular ride up to Mount San Salvatore, 3,000 feet above Lugano, brings us magnificent views (and in clear weather, of lakes Como, Lugano, Maggiore, and Varese). From here we hike through forests and meadows to the artists’ colony of Carona for a picnic lunch in a lovely 16th century loggia next to the Baroque church of San Giorgio. Afterwards, there is free time to stroll the lakeside promenade. Overnight in Lugano....BLD.

Day 5: Cannobio / Carmine Superiore / Isola Bella / Lake Orta, Italy

We get an early start via ferry to the medieval village of Cannobio, with its traditional lakeside houses. Cannobio was an independent city-state in the 12th century. A delightful morning walk brings us to the small stone village of Carmine Superiore, with its ancient church and fine views over the lake. This village marks the earlier site of a castle built by the Visconti family, the Lords of Milan, sometime after the year 1000 AD. The 12th century church here has remarkable 14th century frescoes and forms the core of this tiny village. We enjoy our picnic in the courtyard of the church overlooking Lake Maggiore. 

Day 6: Orta San Giulio Hilltowns

Lake Orta, flowing north to feed Lago Maggiore, offers a secluded world apart. Its quiet beauty has charmed writers including French novelist Honore de Balzac, who described the lake as "grey pearl in a green jewel-box." We walk though the village this morning as we begin our hike through the enchanting hill villages above Orta San Giulio. Skirting the lake, we join an ancient footpath that leads up to Priscola and on to Legro, with its fine fountain and a traditional public washing basin in the main square. From Legro we continue on to Lortallo on the slopes of Monte Alto. With lovely country farmhouses, a 13th century tower, and the impressive Villa Broglio, Lortallo stands as the gateway to the sacred mountain and the nature reserve of Monte Mesma.We enjoy our picnic lunch in the garden grounds of the Francescan convent of Monte Mesma. Later we hike through woodlands toward pastel-colored medieval town of Armeno, with numerous monumental villages from the 17th and 18th centuries. Time permitting, we visit the hilltop sanctuary of the Sacro Monte d'Orta, with its complex of twenty 17th century chapels, all dedicated to St. Francis and containing statues and elaborate sets depicting episodes from the life of Italy's most beloved saint. These life-sized sets were created to educate and inspire the largely illiterate population of the times. We finish our walk along the lake, with the afternoon free for a swim in the lake or at our hotel pool. We gather in the evening for our farewell dinner beside the lake at Orta San Giulio...BLD.

Day 7: Depart

Transfer to Milan / Malpensa Airport. Those who are continuing their travels in Italy can take the shuttle train or bus from the Malpensa Air Terminal for the Milan central train station...B only.