Immersive History and Culture Vacation of Lake Como

What to expect on this itinerary
Uncover some of the best of Italy during this 8-day journey that blends Lake Como’s captivating history and culture through exclusive tours and immersive experiences. Italy’s gorgeous Lake Como is filled with breathtaking towns, an intriguing history, and a welcoming culture. Explore the ancient Como Cathedral, traverse the Roman Bridge, and sail around lake Como in the lap of luxury.
Customizable Itinerary
Milan – Visit Milan’s Premier Cathedral
Your amazing journey around Lake Como will immerse you in the history and culture of the area and will begin when you land at Milan’s Malpensa Airport. When you land, a private driver will be waiting to greet and transfer you to your luxurious accommodation in the heart of the city. Once you have had time to settle in and relax, you will be greeted by an expert guide, who will lead you on an afternoon tour of the impressive Milan Cathedral. The Milan Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Italy, and you will feel the grandeur and history that emanates from its walls as you enter.
What's Included:
Como – Introductory Tour of Como
Como – Explore Cernobbio and its Villas
Argegno – Exclusive Tour of the Town of Argegno
Bellagio – Immersive Village Tour of Bellagio
Varenna – Immersive Cultural Tour of Varenna
Gravedona – Indulge in a Tour of Gravedona
Gravedona – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Marvel at incredible views of Milan from the rooftop of its beautiful Cathedra during a private tour
- Explore the ancient Como Cathedral, which is home to many preserved tapestries, during a private tour of Como
- Indulge in visits to two of Cernobbio’s wonderful villas: Villa Bernasconi and Villa Erba
- Traverse Argegno’s age-old Roman Bridge, where you will feel the history and appreciate the scenery around you
- Traverse through the Loppia neighborhood, which is known for the detailed Larian gondolas on display
- Discover the antique furniture and decor of the Casa Museo Museum inside Villa Monastero, which is a gorgeous villa in Varenna
- Witness ancient wall markings that date back to the sixth century in the Church of San Vincenzo in Gravedona
- Sail around Lake Como in luxury boat as you venture from one remarkable destination to the next
Detailed Description
Italy’s Lake Como is steeped in history and surrounded by beauty, making it the ideal destination for an idyllic vacation. Your intriguing 8-day adventure has been customized to immerse you in the culture and history that surrounds Lake Como. Your journey will begin when you land at Milan’s Malpensa Airport, and you will have one night in the captivating city of Milan, which will allow you to discover its gorgeous Cathedral during a private tour. The beautiful, stained-glass windows and breathtaking views from the Cathedral’s rooftop will make your visit extremely memorable, but the following morning, you will set your sights on the towns and villages that surround Lake Como.
A private transfer will lead you to the City of Como, where a guided tour will provide you with an intriguing discovery of this lakeside city. From the 14th-century Como Cathedral to the fascinating Volta Museum, you will explore nearly all of the locales of cultural and historical significance. The following day will feature an exciting excursion to the nearby city of Cernobbio. Cernobbio’s stunning villas, which date back centuries, will immerse you in the luxurious lifestyle of the area.
On the fourth day of the trip, you will leave Como in the background and set sail for your next destination of Argegno. Your guided tour with an expert guide in the afternoon will allow you to experience the history of the village with visits to its age-old church and centuries-old Roman Bridge. An enjoyable cable car ride will also lead you to the nearby village of Pigra, which is located over 2,700 feet above sea level. The sweeping views from this impressive vantage point will be breathtaking, and after a tasty breakfast the following morning, you will continue your travels to Bellagio. The roads of Bellagio exude elegance and history, and you will experience both during an engaging tour of Bellagio’s sites and neighborhoods. During your tour, you will admire the scenic views of Pescallo, Aureggio, and Loppia. After your tour concludes, you will continue to discover all Bellagio has to offer during your one amazing night in the village.
After breakfast the next morning, your boat will cruise across Lake Como to your next waterfront destination of Varenna. Your beautiful surroundings will seem to be taken from a postcard, and you will enjoy every minute of the ride. After you arrive in Varenna and check-in to your luxurious accommodation, you will be greeted by an expert guide, who will lead you on an afternoon tour. The details inside the 14th-century Church of San Giorgio will be gorgeous and intricate, and the impressive botanical garden of Villa Monastero will impress all of your senses. Furthermore, Varenna will be beautifully illuminated under the night sky as you indulge in a delicious dinner and enjoy the rest of your evening in the village.
The following day, you will set sail on your private boat for your final lakeside destination of Gravedona. Your private tour of this magnificent town will be highlighted with visits to some of its ancient churches, and the many age-old details and paintings that you see may be awe-inspiring. The following morning, a private transfer will lead you to Milan’s Malpensa Airport for your return flight. Although you will not want your trip to end, you will return home knowing that you were entirely immersed in the captivating history, culture, and beauty of Lake Como during your unforgettable vacation.
Starting Price
$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 262 reviews
We were so pleased with the travel company. The hotel they suggested was nicely located in Como, with our rooms having a view of the lake and a small balcony. We were also provided a lovely breakfast in the morning.
They suggested a nice, four-day itinerary: a food tour, with the extra bonus of an orientation to the city the evening of our arrival; a wonderful boat ride for four hours on the next day; a trip to Lugano, Switzerland; and then a private transfer, stopping in Bellagio and Varenna on our way back to Milan.
All of the drivers and guides were excellent, although the driver for Lugano thought he was taking us to Bellagio. This may have been due to a switch of drivers due to a schedule change, as the boat ride and Lugano days were switched to make sure we had a beautiful day on the water, as some rain was threatened on the original day.
The travel company also made a lunch reservation in Bellagio for us based on a recommendation we had gotten from our son. The driver for that long day was great about arranging the travel so we could be on time at the restaurant and was there promptly to pick us up when we were done.
We will definitely utilize Zicasso again and would reach out to the travel company if we travel again to Italy.
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An Unforgettable Italian Journey with Zicasso's travel company!
Our trip to Lake Como, Lake Orta, and Milan was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we began planning, this Zicasso travel company made the experience seamless and personalized. Every detail was thoughtfully curated, from stunning accommodations to smooth transfers and unforgettable local experiences.
What truly set this trip apart was the level of service. The travel company's team was attentive, responsive, and genuinely committed to making sure every moment exceeded our expectations. We never had to worry about a thing—just relax and enjoy Italy at its best.
If you’re considering a trip to Italy, trust them. Their attention to detail, deep local knowledge, and exceptional service created memories we’ll cherish for a lifetime. Thank you!
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When we started planning our trip to Italy, I knew I wanted to work with a travel agent—specifically, someone who specialized in Italy and was based there. After reaching out to several agencies and reviewing their responses, we chose Zicasso and, more specifically, our travel agent. She is based in Milan and from my very first interaction with her, I knew we had made the right choice.
Our trip could not have been more perfect. Our agent put a lot of thought into every location and planned activity. At the outset, we had a few discussions with her about what we wanted from the trip and, after that, we were happy to leave most of the details in her capable hands. Our goal was to explore mid-to-northern Italy and everything—from the hotels and tours to the free time and transportation—was beautifully organized.
Our 11-night trip started in Milan and ended in Florence, with overnight stays in Milan (one night), Lake Como (three nights), Venice (three nights), and Florence (four nights). Initially, I was hesitant about staying at Lake Como for three nights, but our agent encouraged me to do a little research. I’m so glad she did, as it turned out to be incredible. We had more self-guided time at Lake Como, which was perfect as we adjusted to the time change. In Venice, our itinerary became more structured, but we still had plenty of time for our own explorations. By the time we reached Florence, we had activities and tours planned for every day, which was just what we wanted.
A highlight for my family was a full-day trip into Tuscany, where we visited San Gimignano, an organic vineyard in Chianti, and finished with a tour of Siena. Our day trip to Rome allowed us to see the main attractions and we concluded the journey with a tour of Florence and the Accademia Gallery. Every tour our agent arranged was spot on.
Throughout our trip, she was wonderfully communicative—always available when we had questions, but never intrusive. She even helped us with a couple of last-minute requests: booking a hotel in Milan for one night and arranging train tickets to Verona for an impromptu visit to Juliet’s balcony. Whenever we needed something, she was there.
When we return to explore the mid-to-southern part of Italy, there’s no question that we’ll be asking her to plan our trip again. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a seamless, thoughtfully curated Italian adventure.
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The trip was great. The hotels in Tuscany and Lake Como were great. I highly recommend both. The rest of our trip that Zicasso's travel company put together, which included wineries, hikes, boat rides, a balloon ride, and recommended dinners, was top-notch. Our travel specialist and her team were very responsive. We highly recommend them.
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I booked this trip with the intention of proposing to my long-time girlfriend. From the get-go, my travel agent helped me plan every day with a tailor-made itinerary. She helped ease my anxieties and make my proposal very special.
Our trip to Italy involved flying into Milan and spending two nights there. We were able to see The Last Supper on a walking tour of the city. From Milan, we took a taxi to Menaggio, alongside Lake Como. We really loved Menaggio as it was the perfect quiet getaway in one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. From Lake Como, we continued down to Rome and the Amalfi Coast and Naples. My fiance and I really enjoyed our trip and we hope to be able to return someday. Many thanks to our Zicasso agent and the team at her company for making it happen!
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