Afterwards, set sail for a boat tour of the lake to admire the villas along the shore, docking in the fishing village of Varenna for a stroll. I called a total of 7 times where I was put on hold multiple times in a call for 30-40 minutes each time, costing me HOURS on HOURS trying to get this resolved. These Lake Como experiences are providing additional COVID-19 safety measures: What Day Trips in Lake Como are good for avoiding crowds? Youll relax on the road before your onwards flight, leaving the map work and traffic logistics in the hands of a local professional who knows the area well. Very knowledgeable tour guide. Overall, the entire experience seemed a little rushed. See two picturesque lakeside towns in Italy and Switzerland in a single day with this time-saving guided tour. Wonderful day with enough time in each location to walk around, shop a little and get a bite to eat. The guide met us exactly as described and we left on time. LEFT. You won't be disappointed. It is a long day with a lot to see. riva private cadenazzi speedboat tritone balbianello tours motoscafo Ended up stuck inside boat as there was no more space on other levels. Great! Find tickets & tours worldwide. This is the perfect tour if you only have one day in the area. We ran down to find a crew member and asked if they knew anything about our tour. Long day, lots of tourists crowded and herded around like cattle. For a Lake Como day trip from Milan, look no further. Honestly can do this whole experience on your own. Pick up and drop off from others towns/cities on REQUEST and WITH EXTRA-CHARGE. The group was in Bellagio, the final leg. Too big a group in a hot bus. Benefit from your private guides personalized attention as you wind through the Valtellina deep into the Engadin Alps, then get an intimate glimpse of St. Mortiz on a walking tour. Nice touch: The group is limited to just 12 people for a more sociable and intimate experience. Bus was clean and on time. The policy on face masks and attendee health is: Lovely trip Claudia very pleasant and Andrea the bus driver excellent driver. We really enjoyed the trip. Pedal around Lake Como without breaking a sweat on an e-bike, with a digital tour guide at your disposal. The tour was fine but the tour guide wasnt very good. Thank you from all the staff! Overcrowded boat with no room to even stand let alone sit. Beautiful scenery and a must see. Perfect tour, perfect guide! This operator has two meet-up options available. It was hotter than Hades and the guide is not responsible for that. I would have appreciated more information throughout our journey. The lunch was more than enough, very delicious, fulfilling and very well planned out. Then, youll return to Italy where a visit to Lake Comos beautiful Bellagio beckons. Afterwards, set sail for a boat tour of the lake to admire the villas along the shore, docking in the fishing village of Varenna for a stroll. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded. Como-Brunate Funicular Railway (Funicolare ComoBrunate) Tours, Please be ready at the meeting point 15 minutes before the departure of the tour. I would Highly recommend Viator, Fantastic day well organised.Guide very nice and very informative. Not worth the price they charged. She should have planned more time in order to get us on the boat or she should have given us the tickets at the meeting time and tell us to go stand in line now. No way a guide could handle. Definitely the highlight of my italy holiday. The food was really good. Me and my partner chose to sit on the edge of the boat so we could enjoy their views where the rest of the group opted to sit inside in the AC. The bus and boat were clean and the guide was excellent. 100 meters from La Scala Opera House, 450 meters from Piazza Duomo. Search experiences with increased health and safety practices. Finally I get the news that "based on the circumstances, I do not qualify for a refund for this trip" because it is "not the tour guide's fault." If I could change one thing I wish we had more time in Varenna at the end. Meet the bus stop located at Via Manzoni, 4 100 meters from Piazza della Scala. We are sorry that you didn't enjoy the tour. Save hours with hotel pickup and transportation to Bellagio to explore at your own pace. Traveling with a Tour Leader, youll first visit Lugano in Switzerland to sample Swiss chocolate and admire Lake Lugano. Stop at a historic olive oil mill to taste one of the region's local specialties, accompanied by cured meats and wine. With this private tour, save hours by navigating between highlights with a guide. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experiences start time. Lake Como is a top destination from Milan that's why so many people choose it for their tours. Head sets not optimal when walking around and on boat very difficult to hear. 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A great way to discover the timeless beauty of the Italian lakes, this experience includes a walking tour of the chic lake town of Como plus a Lake Como cruise to see snow-peaked mountains and luxury lakeside villas from the water. The site of lake como is amazing and a must see but not with viator. The tour and the itinerary may be subject to some minor changes (hours variation according to the pick up location). This full-day tour will show you two of the most important attractions of Como Lake: Villa Carlotta & Bellagio. What a beautiful day trip! Most of the time we were on our own. portugal One of the largest bodies of water in Italy, Lake Como's best sights vary with the time of year you visit. Experience the fantastic flavors and scenery of northern Italys Valtellina region along with Lake Como with this private day trip starting with train from Milan until we reach Varenna, a charming fishing village for a walking tour. we're really glad you enjoyed our tour! I'd probably do the arrangements myself next time. because of the stress of all of this. Boat cruise on the Lake : They apologized and said they would "expedite the process for me" as I was very urgent to hear results. We docked which was normal because we had docked every 10-15 minutes on the way there, so we didn't think anything was out of the ordinary. Reach Villa Balbianello via hydrofoil for a guided tour of the lavish villa and gardens. The best Day Trips in Lake Como according to Viator travelers are: What Day Trips in Lake Como are taking additional safety precautions? It was a very comfortable 1 hour drive. In the winter, take a gondola ride from Como to Brunate to soak up the lakeland views. Set sail from Bellagio on an elegant 8.5m-long boat to admire the attractions along the shoreline, including Villa del Balbianello, Villa Melzi, and Villa Carlotta. Sara did an excellent job in keeping in touch with us (me, husband, 6 and 12 year old) to ensure we had the right arrival location and time. Get away from the crowds on land and discover the quieter side of Lake Como on this private sailing adventure. Skip Varenna! Q:What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Lake Como, Bellagio And Varenna? (Tip: sit on the right side, be nice and switch with others sometime, dont hog the view). The trip started with a bus ride to Lake Como where the tour guide started giving us interesting tid bits about the area, a small walking tour of the city of Como followed by some free time, a visit to the Villa Olmo waterfront, a beautiful ride along the Western coast of the lake (pro tip: sit on the right side of the bus for the better views), followed by a private boat ride on the lake where we were shown and told about a bunch of the beautiful villas there, the boat took us to the town of Bellagio, where we had free time to explore and have lunch. Lead guide insisted all must have N95 style masks to get on the 2 hour boat ride while he did not wear a mask at any time. Just expect a crowded boat ride and to sweat but the views are worth it! This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. What a waste of the atmosphere. Get the inside scoop on the towns foodie scene from a local; sample regional delicacies including a tasting of olive oils and finish the tour with pasta at a charming restaurant. What are the best Day Trips in Lake Como? -2 hours from April to October, Only during winter time ( from November to March). One of the highlights is seeing the ancient dry-stone walls that were built as terraces for the vines. Well worth the drive. Who was giving the tour in English and Spanish at the same time. It was organized and really honestly only pre arranged transport to Lake Como (Bus) then free time after a 5 min 'tour', public ferry boat ride (no line which was great but two hour ferry boat ride so plan ahead) to Bellagio, again no 'tour' just free time, and then very short ferry (15 mins) to bus which then went back to Milan. It was more that you couldn't remember what the tour guide said since the info was being talked about in a different language right after. Will definitely be back. Not only was he hard to understand, he was always far away and quiet). The female guide lead the English group and had us standing in the rain waiting to gather while the other group stood under cover. Lake Como was stunning as were the towns we visited. The Lake Cruise was very pretty and enjoyable. The towns further up have so much character and scenery stunning. We were in a small space (in a bus and a boat) for hours, unfortunately, many people were hogging the views at the highlight of the trip. For me it was actually great as I just wanted to see the sights on my own. Her history and restaurant recommendation were spot on. Things started to get weird when we stayed docked for about 15 minutes. Me and my partner got worried and checked on the inside where the rest of the group was to see if everything was okay. The guide did her best considering the blistering temperatures. Q:What is the policy on sanitization during Bellagio & Varenna - The must-see places in Lake Como? I highly recommend this tour to anyone and everyone. I would recommend a minimum age for participants. Hard to understand in English. Widen your perspective of south-central Europe on this full-day tour to Switzerlands St. Moritz via Bernina Express. But guide tour was useless. Force you to buy overpriced masks but dont enforce wearing them. Swap the city sights of Milan for the lakeside allure of Lake Como with this day trip from Milan. This experience requires good weather. Visit a villa winery in Domaso on Lake Como, and experience an authentic Italian family-run wine estate thats been nurtured through the generations. - 1 hour from November to March Begin with a guided tour of Como to take in highlights like the cathedral and old town in just two hours. Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews. Could not hear the guide - headsets would not work. Well worth the day trip to flavor Lake Como, key towns and the City of Como. No one was there. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. Sail alongside Comacina Island and drop anchor to dive into the crystal clear waters of the lake or relax on board with music, drinks and snacks. Q:What is the policy on sanitization during Lugano & Lake Como-Bellagio Day Trip? The tour should also skip Varenna. Leave the tricky logistics to the experts and enjoy a stress-free day on Lake Como with this private tour. Youll explore the lakeside villages alongside a guide who brings his homeland alive with stories of Lake Como history, traditions, and cuisine. Villa. This is more pre booked passage to see a beautiful locale and nothing more. Which was fine, but everyone was at the bus stop 20-10 minutes before departure. It was a waste of our time (an hour of nothing new to add in an already long and hot 39 celsius day). The policies on face masks and attendee health are: The policies on staff health & safety are: Highly recommended Tour! Some info could have been emailed prior with regards to the itinerary, meeting points in each place, contact numbers etc. We will return with the normal ferry boat to Como (the duration is about 2h), which gives us a possibility to show you all the important villas on the Lake Como during the trip (e.g. Worthwhile overall. Luckily we got on this boat and navigated to the train after and made it home safe (long story short). When its time to leave Como, get to Malpensa Airport in Milan in style and comfort, using a private transfer from your hotel or the center of town. Lake como itself was BEAUTIFUL! They also said the day before please be on time, which is fine but respectfully they should do the same. However, I personally found the group TOO big and moreover translation in English AND Spanish is very time-consuming. Follow your guide through the streets of Bellagio to take in the town's highlights plus the gardens of Villa Melzi, then hop on the ferry (own expense) to cross to Varenna. We had a scare at the end in Bellagio when the guide was not at the meeting point at the appointed time and had gone to the ferry embarkation point early (apparently miscounting the numbers in the group). If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experiences start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded. End at the Castle of Vezio for an aperitivo with a view. DetailsAfter your 1-hour coach journey from Milan, start your tour of Como visiting the historic center and enjoy some free time to get to know the town and shop in the many local boutiques. This experience is showcased by Viator and has met our quality standards. Based on our booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, this experience is likely to sell out through Viator. We got on with our very large group (maybe more than 50 people to a single tour guide? Q:What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Bellagio & Varenna - The must-see places in Lake Como? If its canceled due to poor weather, youll be offered a different date or a full refund. These hidden gems in Lake Como may have limited interaction with crowds: Villa Melzi Gardens (Giardini di Villa Melzi) Tours & Tickets, Como-Brunate Funicular Railway (Funicolare ComoBrunate) Tours & Tickets, Fort Montecchio Nord (Forte Montecchio Nord) Tours & Tickets, See more Virtual Experiences around the globe, Como and Bellagio Sightseeing Tour and Lake Cruise, Lake Como Highlights - Villa Balbianello & Bellagio exclusive full-day tour, Como, Italy & Lugano, Switzerland Exclusive Full-Day Tour (1h from Milan, 10:30), Lake Como: Villa Carlotta and Bellagio private full-day tour, Lake Como and Bellagio Day Trip from Milan, Domaso: Wine Tasting at the Winery on Como Lake, Villa Balbianello and Flavors of Lake Como Walking and Boating Full-Day Tour, Sailing Experience on Lake Como with Private Skipper, Como city and its History Exclusive Walking Tour (1 h from Milan), Lake Como Guided eBike and iPad Experience, Private transfer from Como City to Malpensa Airport (MXP), Lugano, Bellagio and Cruise Experience from Como, Como City & Bellagio Exclusive Full-Day Tour (1h from Milan, start at 10:30 am), Lake Como & UNESCO Dry-stone Walls Vineyards, Como Brunate Torno. The boat trip was fun. Everything ran very smooth and the tour guide was really helpful. What made this tour even more special, we were late for the start and they accommodated our tardiness! Best Regards, Franco gave us a perfectly brief tour of the town and then we were free to roam for an hour. The tour was ok, not my favorite. If its canceled because the minimum isnt met, youll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. The boat trip was great. Was hard to get a good seat on the ferry though. After free time for lunch, set sail for Bellagio passing villas and gardens along the way. The driver of the double decker bust had to slam on the brakes at least two times to avoid having an accident. After free time for lunch, hop on the train to Lugano (own expense) with your guide for a stroll through the center of Lugano. No big deal because we were told we could sit wherever we wanted. A great way to discover the timeless beauty of the Italian lakes, this experience includes a walking tour of the chic lake town of Como plus a Lake Como cruise to see snow-peaked mountains and luxury lakeside villas from the water. I would def recommend coming if you are short on time and need transportation to Lake como and the three towns. Air conditioning great and plenty of room. In the morning, we will take a speedboat to Tremezzo (the duration of this trip is about 45 minutes), where the Villa Carlotta is situated. Would recommend! Ideal if youre looking for a Lake Como experience with a difference, the visit includes a tour of the wine cellar followed by an extravagant tasting session. -2 hours from April to October, DetailsOnly during winter time ( from November to March). Lake Como is home to dazzling villas and postcard-perfect villages, but getting around on your own can be confusing. It was at times chaotic for the lovely Ciara to control such a massive crowd. 08:15am departure from Piazza IV Novembre, at the corner with Hotel Excelsior Gallia. However I feel like I would have gotten the same experience taking the train/ferry from Milan without the tour group. This is a very high season and this year more then ever. Personally I got very car sick from the bus. We went in July and it was HOT! (hence my 5* rating)! The guide gave us options at each stop. We then took a short ride to Bellagio where it was very beautiful and enjoyed more site seeing and shopping. Cut-off times are based on the experiences local time. Favorite tour of Italy. potter harry Towns were very beautiful!! Save hours with hotel pickup and transportation to Bellagio to explore at your own pace. Time-saving transportation to see the highlights of Lake Como in one day, Free time in the Bellagio and Varenna to sightsee and shop, A boat tour passing Villa Melzi, Villa Carlotta, and Villa Balbianello, Sample local specialties on the panoramic terrace at Castle of Vezio, Private boat tour of 1 hour in the centre of the lake, Pick up and drop off to your hotel (upon request and with extracharge). Our guide, Giovanni, was excellent. We took a beautiful boat ride across the Lake in which Franco pointed out all the famous villas. On this tour, travel with a guide to discover the highlights of the area around the lake with an itinerary tailored to the season. The operator was slick, informative and great fun. The guide seemed a little jaded and had low energy, I have seen much better guides. Very enjoyable ferry ride (2 hours) and then time to walk around and do some shopping. I asked if there was any more they could do to help us as we were stranded and do not speak Italian and they told us to call trip advisor when we got back for more help and hung up on us. In the winter, take a gondola ride from Como to Brunate to soak up the lakeland views. In the summer, visit the village of Bellagio for free time to eat and explore. It was hard to pay attention since the tour was in two languages. In the summer, visit the village of Bellagio for free time to eat and explore. Since I have been more than fair to give them a chance to fix it and they haven't, I've decided it's only fair that I warned others. Each time I was told "they're doing the best they can" and that they will expedite this for me. Being able to drive along all three sections of the lake was great. There were a lot of people in the back trying to get pictures and I felt bad being so close to the people sitting but everyone wanted pictures in the actual opening of the boat. The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers questions. Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews. Friendly guide Donnatella, nice info, well organised! So now me and my partner are in a stranger's car on the way to who knows where. The guide was excellent, the trip beautiful, good bus and a great experience. Tour guides were unorganized. I get car sick easily but next time i would either stay in Lake como or get a driver because the roads are very tight and fast. Very good tour guide and nice bus ride to and from the tour. After your 1-hour coach journey from Milan, start your tour of Como visiting the historic center and enjoy some free time to get to know the town and shop in the many local boutiques. Departure time: The views were amazing. High Recommend this tour! Would have been half price on our own and with no explanations anyways. Big big group with no attention given to whether everyone could hear or follow what was being said. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. Explore the Lake Maggiore region on a day trip from Milan, Take a boat trip across the lake for views of the Alps, Visit two of the Borromean Islands and their highlights, Round-trip transportation from Milan and entrance fees included, Professional tourist guide with earphone set, Walking tour in Lugano city center and free time, Via Alessandro Manzoni, 4, 20121 Milano MI, Italy, Piazza Quattro Novembre, 581, 20124 Milano MI, Italy, Confirmation will be received at time of booking, Passport/ ID and VISA if required (it depends on your nationality), This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers. wine viator Great day out, fantastic way to see more of Italy! Hope to see you again next time on Lake Como. The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers questions. Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews. Grab a train to como from Milan and take the ferry. Save your favorites. Cruise on the lake, explore by foot, and enjoy a seasonal trip to discover Lake Comos charm. If you are thinking about booking the trip, you should definitely do it! Follow a local to see an insiders perspective on where to eat, drink, and swim around Lake Como. Also getting on the ferry to Bellagio was ridiculous, a mass of people from different tours all trying to assemble in one area in the midday heat. Explore one of the most panoramic stretches above the lake without getting lost with this small-group hike directly from Como. Great experience wish there was more time. This tour group of 49 people (just the bus I was on)was way too much. But still so worth it! Im so glad I went on this tour - the logistics of visiting Como Bellagio and Varenna on my own without a car wouldve been too much hassle. Head to the town of Stresa for a boat cruise and then explore the Borromean Islands of Bella and Pescatori to visit stunning palaces and gardens. Lake Como sits at the foot of the Italian Alps and features a number of quaint villages. Was not very informative. I loved the gardens at the meilizi (spelling?) Our guide Franco was excellent Villa Melzi Gardens (Giardini di Villa Melzi) Tours & Tickets, Como-Brunate Funicular Railway (Funicolare ComoBrunate) Tours & Tickets, Fort Montecchio Nord (Forte Montecchio Nord) Tours & Tickets, Face masks required for travelers in public areas, Face masks required for guides in public areas, Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival, Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized. Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experiences start time will not be accepted. This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. Highly recommend! Great tour; Lake Como was beautiful. Then on the way back, go behind the scenes of a winery for a deeper glimpse into southern European traditions. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experiences start time. See the sights of Lake Como more intimately, and book a private tour with a local as your guide. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. Villa Melzi Gardens (Giardini di Villa Melzi) Tours & Tickets, Como-Brunate Funicular Railway (Funicolare ComoBrunate) Tours & Tickets, Fort Montecchio Nord (Forte Montecchio Nord) Tours & Tickets, Face masks required for travelers in public areas, Face masks required for guides in public areas. We are stranded in a foreign country we've never been to, with a language we do not know, and we have no idea what to do. Search experiences that may have limited interaction with crowds. Plenty free time to enjoy and stroll around. Youll savor local specialities that have been carefully chosen to complement the wine as you learn about viticulture in the northern Italian region. Just wanted to warn anyone who wants to go on this over crowded tour where there is a good chance you'll get left because no one is paying attention because there are too many people. A Lake Como boat cruise takes you to visit Villa Melzi's lush gardens and the opulent Villa del Balbianello, including a traditional lunch at a lakefront restaurant. Nice view of Lake Como from the ferry. See more Virtual Experiences around the globe. We saw all the sights in the area in a personalized manners with zero stress. This wasnt a relaxing tour by any means.