TRUE LOVE TRAIL

Take a trip back in time and explore two of central Italy’s most beguiling medieval towns, both recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Your expert guide will meet you in Siena and make sure no fascinating detail eludes you as you follow this stirring trail.

No doubt you will notice the symbol of Siena, the she-wolf and twins, which links the town with its Roman origins, though centuries elapsed before this centre bloomed into the glorious gem you see today. Legend has it that Remus’ sons escaped to safety here after the murder of their father by the children’s uncle Romulus, the founder of Rome. Siena is indeed immersed in legends, steeped in ancient traditions and replete with true stories of battles and bravery. The town is also richly peppered with wondrously preserved monuments, churches and architectural marvels, attesting to its extraordinarily rich and riveting past.

Your guide will certainly show you around the 13th century Church of San Domenico, one of Siena’s best-loved landmarks, and explain why this site is intricately bound up with the life and miracles of beloved Saint Catherine. A collection of priceless works of art, including what is believed to be the only existing portrait of the saint, embellish the walls of the church but what draws thousands of visitors and pilgrims here is the much venerated relic of Saint Catherine’s holy head, carefully safeguarded in a chapel surrounded by master Sodoma’s frescoes.

Countless treasures await you inside the black-and-white striped Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta: the wonderfully inlaid marble flooring, the rose window by Duccio di Buoninsegna, the marble pulpit by Nicola Pisano, Donatello’s statue of St. John the Baptist and the gorgeous Piccolomini Library. Well-known for its illustrated hymn books and beautifully preserved Renaissance paintings by Perugian painter Pinturicchio, the library was built at the request of Cardinal Francesco Piccolomini, Archbishop of Siena, to honour the memory and manuscript collection of his uncle Pope Pius II. A radiant fresco cycle depicts a glorified version of the life of the pope as well as mythological scenes and ornate decorative motifs, all rendered with the greatest skill and painstaking attention to detail.

No tour of Siena would be complete without exploring the shell-shaped Piazza Del Campo, for centuries the pulsing heart of the town’s social and political life and known the world over as the atmospheric setting of the Palio. Your guide will elucidate the origins of this famous horse race that still takes place regularly twice a year in July and August and help you understand why the event continues to play a significant role in fostering a Siennese sense of belonging, re-evoking the rivalry that flourished among its seventeen contrade and its legacy of ward-centric culture.

The looming Torre del Mangia, the elegant red-brick buildings and the medieval aura of the city’s winding alleys are among the unforgettable impressions to be savoured in this delightful wellspring of wonders.

After some free time for lunch, a 50-minute drive through the lovely Tuscan countryside brings you to the charming walled town of San Gimignano. Set high atop a hill, it looks out over silver green olive groves and lush vineyards in the Val d’Elsa below. Folktales claim the town was founded in 63 BC when two patrician brothers, Muzio and Silvio, fled Rome for Tuscany after their incrimination in the conspiracy of Catiline and built two castles on this very site. We know, however, that San Gimignano has been inhabited since Etruscan times but it was only much later, during the Middle Ages, that the town thrived due to its location along the Via Francigena, the pilgrimage route that linked Rome to Canterbury.

Here you can saunter through the two central squares, Piazza della Cisterna and Piazza del Duomo, wander along enchanting narrow streets and gaze up at a number of sturdy medieval towers that still dominate the skyline, pronouncing the wealth and ambitions of the families who built them centuries ago. Several outstanding Renaissance masterpieces can be admired here in their original locations, including Benozzo Gozzoli’s celebrated decorative fresco cycle of St. Augustine, located in a chapel of the Church of Sant’Agostino. Don’t forget to take a peek inside the Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta, the city’s cathedral. Behind its bare Romanesque facade, this church conceals a precious Last Judgement by Taddeo di Bartolo, Benozzo Gozzoli’s Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian and Ghirlandaio’s fresco cycle depicting the legendary Life and miracles of Santa Fina who spent all her days lying on a wooden pallet deep in prayer.

While you weave your way through this remarkably beautiful town, pause for a moment to breathe in traces of a feudal air that still linger here. It only takes a tiny step of the imagination to picture the scene – not so very different from today – as it appeared to the nobles, knights and dames who must have taken this same route hundreds of years ago.

But San Gimignano also boasts some modern delights… before returning to your hotel you might want to taste the local Vernaccia wine or savour the much acclaimed, award-winning ice cream lovingly created by Gelateria Dondoli.

Touch the clouds on this exclusive, once-in-a-life-time experience. You will feast your eyes on splendid views of Tuscany while floating on air.

In the early morning, when the other guests of the hotel are still asleep, you will meet your driver outside your accommodation and set off for the hot-air balloon launch point. Here, your expert captain and qualified crew will be waiting, ready to lift you up in the air, 2,000 feet above the ground. You will see the last phases of set up and inflation followed by a brief safety demonstration. You will then hop aboard the basket and start sailing heavenwards. Relish the crisp morning breeze and enjoy Chiantiland from cloud nine as you gaze down at the countryside below. Rolling hills dotted with castles and quaint medieval villages, a green patchwork of olive groves and vineyards crossed by ribbons of country roads: you’ll feel the thrill of inspecting this life-size canvas from your privileged perspective.

Although the invention of hot air balloons is attributed to 18th century French brothers Montgolfier, Tuscany prides itself on being the homeland of Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci who was perhaps the first to foresee the lifting properties of hot air. His passion for flight and elevation was visionary as evidenced by his drawings and writings on this subject. After five hundred years his famous statement still rings true: “Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return”.

After about an hour you will begin your descent back to the ground. Part of the magic of this adventure is that you never know exactly where you will land. A balloon cannot be steered and drifts with the wind so you might touch down in a field or, if you’re lucky, in the grounds of a castle. Back on earth top off your experience with a refreshing glass of Prosecco and a toast… cheers to enchanting Chianti!

After a morning spent in heaven it’s time to taste the fruits of this unique territory on a private cooking lesson. Under the guidance of an expert instructor you will discover regional recipes and culinary traditions, put some infallible cooking techniques to the test and pick up tips you can use to impress your friends back home at the dinner table.

Language and proverbs reflect the customs, culture and tastes of a territory. It may come as no surprise that many traditional Tuscan expressions are inspired by gastronomy, culinary habits and the act of eating or sharing food, revealing the age-old origins of the region’s food-focused way of life. Here are three sayings that are evidence of how food has always been central to the hearts and minds of Tuscans and is an essential component of the territory’s culture. Né amico riconciliato, né pietanza due volte cucinata conveys Tuscans’ belief that once your trust in a friend has been broken, your relationship will never be the same again – just like a dish never tastes the same after it has been reheated. Più vale un pan con amore che un cappone con dolore means that a simple piece of bread made with love is better than a succulent capon made with anger, as love is the best of ingredients. A tavola non si invecchia – translating as “one never grows old at the table” – is a tribute to the dinner table and to long-lasting Sunday lunches. An unbroken flow of wine, food and good conversation enlivens spirits, raises energy levels and increases pleasure for all dining companions.

By teaching you how to prepare traditional dishes this cooking lesson will allow you to delve further into Tuscan culture and give you a key to understanding the local food-centred lifestyle. Although we can’t promise eternal youth, we can indeed guarantee a delectable, enjoyable and educational experience.

Your instructor will meet you at the location of your cooking class and guide you through the preparation of a delicious meal in true Tuscan style. The aim of the course is not only to teach participants how to create a dish by following a recipe but to provide a culturally enriching experience. In addition to explaining the technical aspects of cooking, your chef will share his culinary knowledge and passion for food by unveiling the secrets behind the ingredients used. You will savour local flavours, learn how to recognize healthy, prime quality raw materials and enhance your awareness of the environment and eating seasonally.

After the cooking lesson, enjoy the meal you just prepared, washed down with Chianti wine… Buon appetito!

After breakfast and check out meet your private driver outside your accommodation and set off for your hotel in Florence. En route learn all about the production of one of the world’s most famous wines on visits to two Chianti estates.

You may not know that the word Chianti originates from the Latin term clangor meaning “clamour”, which refers to the noise produced by the blasts of trumpets, rolling drums and clashing swords that resonated throughout the countless battles that shook the area. As a border territory between the two rival cities of Florence and Siena, Chianti often found itself at the centre of tumultuous events and was far from being the peaceful Eden you can admire today!

Beautiful landscapes, charming towns and fine red wines have made Chianti a must-see for visitors to Tuscany. The region boasts an age-old tradition of vine cultivation that dates back to Etruscan times, however it was only in 1716 that Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo III de’ Medici officially established the boundaries of the Chianti wine area. Today, a true Chianti must contain at least 80% Sangiovese grapes and can be recognised by its distinctive label, the black rooster – a symbol steeped in a curious legend. Florence and Siena agreed to put an end to their long quarrel over the borders of their territories by each sending out a knight on horseback when the rooster crowed, at daybreak on a given date. The place they met would become the new border between them. The two cities both did their best to outwit their rival. In Siena, the white rooster was treated to a lavish meal in the hope that a full stomach would produce a vigorous morning crow, while in Florence, the black rooster was left hungry so that it would rise earlier, allowing their knight a head start. The latter strategy proved to be the right one for the Florentine knight set off long before his opposite number in Siena and successfully claimed most of Chianti for Florence. Since then the black rooster has been the emblem of the region.

On visits to two renowned Chianti estates you will get to know about wine-making and ageing methods, become familiar with the particular features and regulations that define Chianti Classico and discover the unique characteristics of the terroir and climate that make wines produced here so special. Guided tastings and a light lunch are also included in the experience.

In the afternoon your private chauffeur will drive you to your accommodation in Florence where you will be staying for 3 nights. Following check in spend the rest of the day at leisure.

After some free time for lunch you will participate in a workshop at a perfume boutique and enjoy a sensory journey into the world of artistic perfumery. A master profumiere will open the shutters of his treasure chest and share his secrets with you. More than 1,500 rare extracts and valuable raw materials are carefully preserved on the shelves of the boutique’s precious olfactory library. Learn about the variety of fragrances – from floral and fruity, to citrus-like and exotic – and how their different combinations generate an extraordinary array of scented elixirs. Under the master’s guidance, select the essences for a personalised scent, calling on your own senses to concoct a unique signature perfume. A 100 ml bottle of perfume created during the workshop, along with its exclusive formula and your newly acquired olfactory awareness, are among the cherished souvenirs you will take back home.

After the workshop spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Don’t miss the chance to discover some of Florence’s most cherished artworks on this half-day tour of an extraordinary collection and a Gothic church.

Visited by over two million people every year the Uffizi Gallery plays an essential part in your Florence experience. The treasure trove you see today originated over four hundred years ago as the Grand Duchy’s administrative centre having been built at the request of Cosimo I de’ Medici to house the Florentine magistrates’ judiciary offices – called uffizi in old Italian. Construction work began in 1560 under the direction of architect Giorgio Vasari and was completed by Bernardo Buontalenti in 1574. Only 7 years later, in 1581, Francesco I de’ Medici, Cosimo’s son, set up his private gallery inside the building’s rooftop loggia adorning it with all sorts of precious artefacts, including cameos, stones, jewellery, bronzes, scientific instruments, paintings and statues. As time passed the Medici family’s collection was enriched until it was eventually bequeathed to the city of Florence by the last member of the dynasty, Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici, in 1743. The gallery first opened to the public in 1769 and has delighted visitors ever since with its vast store of wonders.

Where else in the world could you find such a dazzling, prestigious collection of Renaissance marvels? Over sixty rooms display stunning works of art from the 12th to the 16th centuries, including classic paintings by well-loved artists Cimabue, Giotto, Michelangelo, Raphael and Titian. Your personal guide will treat you to the insider information you need to appreciate the significance of the pieces on display and the circumstances in which they were produced and commissioned. Who could resist the charms of Botticelli’s Venus emerging from her shell, as pure and perfect as a pearl? The grace of Leonardo’s Gabriel announcing the glad tidings and the thrill of meeting a famous Italian couple, immortalised in Piero della Francesca’s finely rendered portraits are among the lasting Florentine memories you will take away with you.

You will then be led to the impressive Basilica of Santa Croce, one of the largest Franciscan churches in the world. Attributed to the genius of Arnolfo di Cambio, who probably began work in 1294, this splendid church is also one of the finest examples of Italian Gothic architecture. Over the centuries several notable Florentine families acquired patronage of the basilica’s chapels, thus incurring the responsibility of embellishing and furnishing its walls. Not to be missed are the Bardi and Peruzzi chapels decorated by master Giotto, Taddeo Gaddi’s magnificent frescoes in the Baroncelli chapel, the Pazzi chapel designed by Brunelleschi and a wooden Crucifix by Donatello. Highlights also include the funerary monuments of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo and Rossini as this very spot is the burial place for the great and good.

After the tour and free time for lunch cap off the day by climbing the cathedral’s 463 steps up to Brunelleschi’s majestic cupola. The ascent is fairly arduous but the perks at the finishing line make the effort well worthwhile. Along the way you’ll gain a closer look at Vasari’s frescoes of the Last Judgement depicted on the interior of the dome. Once at the top you’ll be treated to unbeatable panoramic views over the city and enjoy the priceless photo opportunities.

After breakfast and check out meet your driver outside your accommodation in Florence and relax on the ride to your hotel on the Ligurian Riviera. En route, stop to enjoy a private tour of Lucca.

Originally an Etruscan settlement, the town was later conquered by the Romans and evidence of their influence can still be perceived today. The Church and Piazza di San Michele stand on the remains of an ancient Roman Forum while the outline of a long-lost Roman amphitheatre is still discernible in the shape of the exquisite Piazza dell’Anfiteatro whose buildings retrace the oval form of foundations and masonry from an earlier age. Lucca’s fortunes waxed in the Middle Ages when a booming economy, largely driven by the production of silk, led to a building expansion and a series of towers, erected by ambitious families wishing to make a show of their wealth, sprung across the city. Although only two still stand guard today, it only takes a tiny step of the imagination to picture the approximately 130 towers that used to loom over Lucca in its medieval heyday, each heralding the prominence and ambitions of the household who lived here.

Several Renaissance masterpieces attest to the town’s growth as a thriving artistic hub in the 15th and 16th centuries and to the prime role occupied by Lucca in nurturing some the most brilliant talents of the time – from military engineers to sculptors. Among the enthralling sights you will encounter on your tour are the imposing, perfectly preserved Renaissance era walls; the Romanesque Church of San Frediano, adorned by a 13th century golden facade mosaic; the Cathedral of San Martino housing the much venerated wooden crucifix of the Holy Face which, according to legend, authentically represents Christ’s real features. The exquisitely carved funerary monument of Ilaria del Carretto by Jacopo della Quercia and works by renowned Italian Renaissance painters such as Ghirlandaio, Tintoretto and Fra Bartolomeo are also among the cathedral’s cherished treasures.

After the tour and some free time for lunch rejoin your driver and reach your hotel on the Ligurian Riviera where you will be staying for 4 nights. Following check in spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Jump aboard your private boat and enjoy a memorable day at sea. Your skipper will meet you at the port and lead you on a boat excursion along the Gulf of Paradise. Sit back, relax and watch the glorious spectacle of the Riviera as it unfolds before your eyes. You will bathe in crystal-clear waters, explore a quaint coastal town and soak up fabulous views of the Ligurian landscape.

Weigh your anchor and reach your first port of call, Camogli, stopping en route for a refreshing dip in Punta Chiappa. In olden times a thriving harbour, boasting a fleet of almost seven hundred ships at the peak of its glory, today Camogli is a charming fishing village and a popular summer resort. The town’s history is inextricably linked to the sea. According to a local belief, its etymology derives from the shortened words Casa delle mogli, meaning house of the wives, which is thought to be a reference to the women who guarded the town while their husbands – fishermen, sailors or captains – were away at sea. Rows of houses painted in shades of red, pink, apricot and amber once helped sea workers find their way back to the port and today provide a delightful pastime for visitors who enjoy spotting the illusions that decorate their facades. Lifelike inhabitants peer out of the windows, a graceful cat perches perilously on the window sill… and are those real shutters casting shadows on the wall?

After a leisurely stroll through town, set sail for the secluded – though much sought-after – bay of San Fruttuoso. This inlet, tucked away between the sea and woodland slopes, can only be accessed by boat or by descending a steep trail from the mountain above. As far back as the 700s this isolated corner was chosen as the ideal location for a church. According to legend Saint Fructuosus himself, martyred in the 3rd century, indicated this spot as his final resting place. He is said to have appeared in a dream to 8th century Archbishop of Tarragon Prospero who had fled from Spain and the Moors in search of a site on which to preserve the ashes of the saint. The church was rebuilt by the Benedictine monks in the 11th century and from the 13th century to 1983 the noble Genoese Doria dynasty patronized the abbey, renovating its design and transferring the family’s burial ground here. Also located in this cove are a handful of restaurants, a 16th century watchtower and an underwater bronze statue of Christ of the Abyss, protector of all those who venture out to sea.

After some free time for lunch and a healthy dose of “vitamin sea”, rejoin your skipper and cruise back to the port.

Discover one of Italy’s most spectacular destinations on this full-day excursion to the Cinque Terre. This rugged, scenic portion of coastline on the Ligurian Riviera, stretching for eighteen kilometres to the west of the city of La Spezia, comprises five enchanting seaside villages. Along the sharply rising cliffs lie Riomaggiore, a jumble of narrow alleys flanked by pastel-hued tower-houses; Manarola, a splash of colour clinging to a rocky headland; Corniglia, perched precariously on the edge of a 100-metre-high promontory; Vernazza, with its tiny port dominated by the ruins of a medieval castle; Monterosso al Mare, the largest of the five fabulous jewels, graced by a sandy bay and famed for its lemon orchards and anchovies. Breathtaking views, crystal blue waters, gastronomic delicacies and a unique historic and artistic heritage have all contributed to the worldwide popularity of the Cinque Terre since the 1970s when they became a much sought-after vacation hub.

The earliest core of these towns dates back to the 11th century when the tribes that had settled on the hills further inland were prompted to move towards the shore as a consequence of their growing numbers and because Saracen incursions were no longer a threat. It is at this point in history that the heroic populations of the Cinque Terre began erecting dry stone walls, planting vineyards and transforming the rough, unpromising, steep slopes into bountiful cultivated terraces, thus forging the stunning scenery we can still admire today. Thanks to their gargantuan efforts this splendid corner of Liguria earned its World Heritage status in 1997 as an expression of “the harmonious interaction between people and nature to produce a landscape of exceptional scenic quality that illustrates a traditional way of life that has existed for a thousand years and continues to play an important socio-economic role in the life of the community”.

While exploring these fishing and farming villages, visitors may gain a feel for the difficulties and challenges of living in this still unspoiled, once remote pocket of land. Can you imagine how life must have been here before the late 1800s when the railway was first built? Dramatically strung between sea and rock, the Cinque Terre are today linked by trains, ferries and panoramic coastal and hillside hiking trails and are mostly inaccessible to vehicles. These circumstances have helped to preserve their distinctive atmosphere and timeless, magical appeal.

Your chauffeur will pick you up at your accommodation and drive you to the train station in Levanto. Here your private guide will be waiting ready to lead you on an unforgettable tour of three of the Cinque Terre’s villages. Depending on weather, sea conditions and the number of visitors present, you may travel either by train or public ferry boat – or both. You will gain an overview of the region’s fascinating history, from its beginnings in the Middle Ages up to the present day, when the pressing need to protect this precious but geologically fragile heritage site from the onslaughts of extreme or inclement weather are felt with particular urgency. Your guide will be ready to show and tell you all you could wish to know about the fabulous five – from the unparalleled seascapes to culinary delicacies, from local legends to documented facts – ensuring a truly enlightening, enjoyable visit.

After the tour your chauffeur will drive you back to your hotel on the Ligurian Riviera.

After breakfast and check out meet your driver outside your accommodation and relax on the ride to your hotel on Lake Como. En route, stop to enjoy a private shopping tour of Italy’s fashion capital. You will discover how this northern industrial centre rose to become the country’s main design and sartorial hub, world-renowned for elegance, style and refinement.

Milan has been a famous production centre of luxury goods since the Middle Ages. You may not know that in the 16th century the city’s name gave origin to the English word “milliner”, meaning hat maker, owing to the purchase and importation of women’s finery from Milan. In the 19th and 20th centuries Milan flourished as a major centre of production of silk and textiles but it was only in the 1970s that the city took over the title of Queen of Fashion from its rivals Florence and Rome and became the capital of prêt-à-porter. Designer Elio Fiorucci, who promoted jeans for women in a period of social revolution and protest against the political system, is among the forerunners of Milan’s new trendsetting style. But the city’s fashion stars are numerous and your shopping expert will enrich your experience by recounting historical facts and curiosities about Milan’s major designers and powerhouses. Today the city continues to be the pulsing heart of Italian fashion, attracting hundreds of journalists, buyers and fans from around the world for the traditional Milan fashion week, as here they are sure to find the best of Made in Italy.

This personal shopping tour will be led by a professional fashionista and can be tailored to suit all needs and budgets. Send us your shopping wish list and we’ll create a customised itinerary just for you. Looking for a brand new pair of shoes? A hand-made leather bag? An outfit for an upcoming special event? Precious jewellery for your partner? A sweet scented perfume? Or just some prezzies to take back home? From haute couture boutiques to vintage shops, from artisan ateliers to popular clothing stores, your fashion expert will give you tips on where to find the perfect item. First-time visitors might not want to miss the city’s most important shopping streets and districts such as Piazza del Duomo, with the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and the Quadrilatero della Moda, including Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, Corso Venezia and Via Manzoni, where prestigious Italian and international brands can be found.

Your personal shopper will provide you with useful styling tricks, show you which colours, fabrics and shapes enhance your features and teach you how to emphasize your strengths. You will also hear the latest on fashion industry secrets, newest looks and upcoming trends.

After the experience and some free time for lunch rejoin your driver and reach your hotel on Lake Como where you will be staying for 4 nights. Following check in spend the rest of the day at leisure.

From ancient Roman celebrities to contemporary Hollywood stars, no one has been able to resist the allure of Lake Como. A timeless tourist destination, after 2,000 years this heavenly spot keeps luring prominent visitors to its shores with a one-of-a-kind combination of architectural marvels, artistic treasures and fabulous landscapes. Set at the foot of the Rhaetian Alps, Lake Como is the third largest Italian lake, the deepest and unarguably the most spectacular. Its shoreline is studded with a succession of charming sights: dark green forested slopes rising against a backdrop of majestic snow-covered peaks, lush terraced gardens cascading right down to the waters, pretty towns sprinkled with pastel-hued buildings, lakeshore restaurants shaded by blooming pergolas. Soak up the beauties of Lake Como on this full-day tour. In the morning you will explore a historic villa surrounded by splendid botanical gardens. In the afternoon you will enjoy a stroll around the two lakeside towns of Bellagio and Varenna.

After breakfast your private guide will meet you at your hotel and accompany you to Villa Carlotta. Built between 1690 and 1743 for the pleasure-seeking marquis Giorgio Clerici, the villa 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 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 and sail to nearby Bellagio to enjoy some free time for lunch followed by a pleasant walk through town to discover its major landmarks.

The final stop on your tour will bring you to the beguiling town of Varenna. 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.

After the tour take a taxi boat back to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

After breakfast meet your private driver at your accommodation and relax on the ride to Como. Here your guide will be waiting ready to lead you on a trail through Como’s elegant streets, across charming piazzas, inside splendid churches, while filling you in on the history of this lakeside town. From its early days as an ancient Roman colony, through its rise in the Renaissance as a prosperous trading hub and major silk production centre, to today’s glamorous role as Italy’s prime tourist destination… you’ll have 2,000 years to cover.

You begin your day with a visit to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the pride of Como, boasting a brilliant blend of different artistic styles, stretching from the Middles Ages through to the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Construction work started in 1396 and ended more than three hundred years later, in 1740, when architect Filippo Juvarra crowned the queen of Como’s churches with an imposing dome. The 14th century facade is a Gothic marvel featuring elaborately sculpted portals, pinnacles, stone carvings and a rose window. Before stepping inside don’t forget to pay homage to two prominent ancient Roman residents of Como, Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger, who surprise visitors with their welcome from either side of the main entrance, a gesture traditionally performed by saints. The interior proudly safeguards 16th and 17th century tapestries made in Ferrara, Florence and Antwerp, together with paintings by masters Bernardino Luini and Gaudenzio Ferrari, a precious wooden altar from the 1500s and 19th century stained glass windows.

Another of Como’s landmarks, the polychromatic Broletto, has been sitting sedately in the same square of Piazza Duomo ever since 1215. Formerly the seat of Como’s town hall, this building is situated right next to the grandiose cathedral, material evidence of the close connection between religious and political power in the Middle Ages. In 1477 the unfortunate Broletto suffered a reduction in size in order to make room for an enlargement of the cathedral – a heartfelt blow for lay institutions.

From here make your way through Como’s alleys, taking in the sights of handsome palazzi, on a quest for some of the town’s most striking monuments. You will certainly come across the Church of San Fedele, whose simple Romanesque facade conceals a graciously decorated interior, the 40-metre-high Porta Torre erected in 1192 as a defence against enemy attacks, and the extraordinarily well preserved portions of medieval walls. Not to be missed are also the Neoclassical-style facade of the Teatro Sociale and the Casa del Fascio, an example of 1930s rationalist architecture.

After some free time for lunch reach the dock, hop aboard your private boat and set sail for Villa del Balbianello. As you cruise along watch the delightful views of Lake Como’s winding shoreline unravel in front of you: dark green forested slopes rising against a backdrop of majestic snowy peaks, historic mansions set amongst lush Mediterranean foliage, lavish terraced gardens tumbling right down to the banks, pretty villages sprinkled with pastel-hued buildings. Here natural beauty, botanical rarities, art treasures and architectural marvels merge perfectly, creating one of Italy’s finest landscapes. Poet Percy Shelley navigated these waters, enjoying the very same sights you admire today, as he cruised from Como to Tremezzina: “The union of culture and the untameable profusion and loveliness of nature is here so close that the line where they are divided can hardly be discovered”, he noted in a letter dated 1818. You will sail by Villa d’Este, once a Renaissance residence and today a 5-star hotel, glimpse views of the privately owned exclusive Villa Oleandra and Villa La Cassinella, glide past the tiny Comacina Island and dock at Villa del Balbianello.

Perched on the tip of a peninsula jutting out over the lake, this is one of the area’s most stunning estates. Built in 1787 at the request of pleasure-seeking Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini, on the site of an earlier 13th century Franciscan monastery, today the premises host magnificent gardens and a house museum dedicated to the villa’s last owner, Count Guido Monzino. Collector, entrepreneur, insatiable traveller and also the first Italian ever to climb Mount Everest, Count Monzino bequeathed the villa to the Italian National Trust so that memories of his thrilling adventures could live on for posterity. Here you may enjoy a 1-hour guided tour of the mansion – which is exactly how the owner left it on his death in 1988 – led by an official guide from the museum. On display are 18th and 19th century furniture, French boiseries, Beauvais tapestries and oriental carpets as well as maps, books, collections of prehistoric artefacts and relics of Count Monzino’s travels, including a dog sleigh from his 1971 expedition to the North Pole. The gardens surrounding the villa are a true masterpiece of landscaping and design. Follow the paths that meander across carefully manicured lawns, bordered with hedges of laurel, magnolias and cypress trees, leading to the lakefront loggia where one of the most fabulous views awaits guests.

Take a last long look at the gorgeous lakescapes before returning to your hotel by taxi boat.

Have you ever wondered which wine George Clooney likes to drink on Lake Como? Discover it along a special biking itinerary! You will have the opportunity to visit a one-of-a-kind agriturismo on Lake Como, one of the very few places that produces wine in the area, and it’s family owned and managed!

Great food, the local elixir, a friendly environment and a fabulous panorama… what could be better than savouring all of this after an energising bike ride?

After breakfast you will meet your guide at your hotel, hop on your bike and start cycling toward the northern tip of the lake for a 28 kilometre one-way ride on traffic-free roads and paths. The terrain is mixed between bike paths, old mule tracks and lakeside trails, with a continuous up and down elevation and constant lake views as you pass through old villages and hidden streets.

The bike ride will end at an agriturismo, set in an enchanting hillside location offering superb views of the lake below. Founded in 1997 by a dedicated husband-and-wife team, this farm aims at promoting the heritage and flavours of this idyllic corner of Lombardy by reviving native grape varieties of Verdesa and Rosseia. Ubiquitous and international Sangiovese and Merlot are also cultivated to please the palate of a satisfied and ever-growing clientele. Here IGT designated red, white and rosé wines are created along with extra virgin olive oil, grappa and blueberry liqueur.

Upon arrival take a seat on the outdoor patio and lap up the wonderful panorama while you enjoy a delicious meal accompanied with the estate’s wines.

In the early afternoon your chauffeur will pick you up and drive you back to your hotel where you may spend the rest of the day at leisure.

After breakfast and check out, which will take place before 10:00 or 11:00 AM, meet your private driver outside your accommodation and head for the airport or your next travel destination.