BANKS IN BLOOM

Lake Como’s shoreline is studded with a succession of charming sights: deep green forested slopes rising against a backdrop of majestic Alpine peaks, lavish terraced gardens tumbling right down to the waters, pretty villages sprinkled with pastel-hued buildings, lakeshore restaurants shaded by blooming pergolas. A fashionable destination since ancient Roman times, when wealthy patricians retreated here to escape the summer heat, this watery wonderland keeps attracting notable visitors and celebrities with its unique allure and combination of artistic treasures, architectural marvels and fabulous landscapes.

Soak up the beauties of Lake Como on this full-day excursion from Milan. Your private chauffeur will meet you outside your accommodation and drive you to Villa Carlotta. Here your guide will be waiting ready to lead you on a tour of two historic residences and a delightful lakeside resort.

Built between 1690 and 1743 for the pleasure-seeking marquis Giorgio Clerici, Villa Carlotta now houses an exquisite museum. Sculpted masterpieces by Antonio Canova and Bertel Thorvaldsen are on display together with a fine collection of paintings, cameos, furniture and decorative pieces from the mid-19th century. The eight-hectare neighbouring garden is a triumph of colour and variety and provides a magnificent backdrop to the elegant palazzo. Five hundred different botanical species, including azaleas, rhododendrons, palms, tropical plants and aromatic herbs flourish in this romantic oasis, rated among Italy’s most beautiful gardens by prestigious local and international magazines.

After visiting the villa and grounds, hop aboard a taxi boat, sail to the opposite shore and reach Varenna where you will enjoy some free time for lunch. A leisurely stroll through this beguiling town will follow. You will weave your way up steep stone stairways lined with shops, cosy cafes and flowering balconies, step inside the 14th century Church of San Giorgio to see its precious frescoes, and take in stunning views by the waterfront promenade, romantically named passeggiata degli innamorati – lover’s walk.

The last stop on your excursion will bring you to Villa Monastero. Originally built as a medieval Cistercian convent, in an ideal location for spiritual contemplation, the premises were transformed into a private mansion in the 1600s. Today the villa hosts a fascinating house museum, displaying original period furnishings and artworks collected throughout the centuries by its different owners. Favourable microclimatic conditions allow a wide range of exotic plants and arboreal rarities to thrive in the splendid gardens that border the lake, together with Mediterranean shrubs, citrus trees and flowers. American palms and agaves, a Montezuma pine, a Himalayan cedar, Chinese wisteria and English roses can be found in this treasure trove of botanical wonders, punctuated by statues, fountains, a loggia and a tempietto.

After the tour your private chauffeur will pick you up in Varenna and drive you back to your accommodation in Milan.