Nights 1 2: These are spent at Como, the capital of the Lake, in a welcoming and comfortable 4-star

Lake Como is perhaps Italy's most spectacular Alpine Lake, and therefore has been a major tourist destination, already since Roman times, when the rich and influential built their villas along its shores. A gorgeous blue ribbon, surrounded by chains of impressing mountains, will give you an amazing amount travel canada of great photo opportunities. During this tour you will travel from the southern leg, featuring the beautiful town of Como itself, to the central part, where the three long legs of the lake meet. Here you'll find the picturesque town of Bellagio, travel canada nicknamed the 'Pearl of the Lake',  situated on the promontory between the legs, but also Menaggio and Varenna, deemed to be the 'most romantic town of the Lake. You'll find that visitors have been coming to the area for over 2000 years for good reason: tranquil lakeside atmosphere and accessible alpine beauty. The best way to experience the region is to combine walking the trails and using the ferries to access many of the chic and charming villages. Doing so you will have the opportunity to really learn to know and love this area of stunning beauty, full of unique and evocative landscapes. Your walks will bring you through forest and pastoral land, but will take you up towards the steep naked peaks surrounding the Como Lake as well.
The first days of your trip will allow you to fully explore the charming city of Como and its Alpine surroundings. You will go for a ridge walk high above the lake enjoying travel canada sweeping views to both sides followed by a descent travel canada to the shore of Lake Como at Torno. You may spend an afternoon at Como itself, renowned for its Romanesque churches, its wonderful cathedral, medieval town walls and impressive villas, to visit the historic town centre. Then you may stroll along the lake to soak up the tranquil old world atmosphere. The next day you travel by cable car, boat and taxi from Brunate to the charming village travel canada of Breglia. Here you can make a short walk to Madonna di Breglia, a church with a view . From Breglia a longer circular travel canada walk takes you to to a mountain hut providing spectacular views across Lake Como. A short extension to this walk brings you to Pizza Coppa for views as far as Lake Lugano in Switzerland. Dedicated walkers can make it to the summit of Monte Grona (alt. 1736 m.).
From Breglia you will then move on by boat to arrive travel canada in the charming village of Varenna, deemed Italy s most romantic village , (quite a claim). Varenna has inspirational travel canada views of the lake and the distant mountains, brightly painted houses adorned with flower-filled balconies, a bustling waterfront and a maze of meandering cobblestone streets. Here you can walk from Varenna to the small village of Bellano, passing through the canyon of the River Pioverna. Or you walk on the northern stretch of the Sentiero del Viandante , a relatively easy lakeside path from Dervio or Bellano back to Varenna. Views over the lake from this path are marvellous as you walk through a terraced landscape and visit the abbey of Piona, a most intriguing place. From Varenna you  may as well embark on a day s boat tour of the lake. There are several places you could visit or start a walk, including the splendid Villa Carlotta, with its beautiful gardens, and Bellagio, the pearl of the lake . Highly recommended is the incredibly scenic walk through the delightful countryside, passing the fishing village of Pescallo, climbing to the charming hamlet of Visgnola, and then descending to the lakeshore and the wonderful gardens of Villa Melzi.
Please note: this is a moderately travel canada easy tour which is suitable for those who have some experience with walking and a good general physical condition. Most of the walks are on good paths, sometimes on steep terrain. Average walking times: travel canada approx. 3 to 6 hours each day.
Today you take the cable car up to Brunate where you make a wonderful panoramic travel canada walk along a well kept path along the ridge, high above the lake, with views to both sides. It is possible to have a panoramic lunch in Brunate, but there are also many panoramic spots for a good picnic lunch. travel canada Along the ruins of a medieval castle we descend towards the lake again. Those who want can continue the walk down to the lakeshore travel canada village, of Torno, and take the boat back. Otherwise return through the forest to Brunate and travel back by cable car to Como. In the evening you can enjoy a good meal in a nice restaurant in the historic city centre.
Options for an extra day in Como: Around Como there are many villa's and estates to visit. Go and see Villa Olmo, and try to see Villa D'Este as well. Travelling by boat to some other lake side villages in this southern part of the lake is also a worthwhile experience. Cernobbio for example, surrounded by beautiful villa's, has a wonderful relaxed atmosphere.
The first part of the day is dedicated to the old town of Como, renowned for its Romanesque churches, its wonderful Duomo and medieval town walls and wonderful silk products. But also for its impressive villa's, travel canada its fine 'fin-de-siècle' hotels, its and its rationalist architecture along the lake shore. Stroll through the alleys and along the lake to get the real feel of the city. From Como you travel then by boat to Menaggio, admiring all the charming villages from the lake. In Menaggio your taxi meets you and brings you up to the charming village of Breglia, along a wonderful panoramic road.  Here you can already go for a first short walk to the Madonna di Breglia, a 'church with a view', and San Domenico. Along the roman excavations you return to your hotel to relax on the terrace travel canada and breathe in the fresh mountain air.
Directly from your hotel in Breglia travel canada you start a wonderful roundwalk, which brings you up to Menaggio's mountain hut. The walk is relatively easy, but nonetheless offers travel canada unforgettable views of the lake! First you walk through the old part of the village and beautiful forests. You come across travel canada a number of spectacular viewpoints on Lake Como. A last steep section brings you up to the mountain hut, where it's possible to have lunch. A short extra walk brings you to the saddle of Pizza Coppa from where you can admire the whole region, from Lake Como to Lake Lugano (Switzerland). An optional detour can even bring you to the top of Monte Grona (alt. 1736 m.). Along a gradually travel canada descending path, with still spectacular views on Lake Como and the surrounding mountains you return to Breglia.
You are brought down to Menaggio, from where you take the boat to the charming village of Varenna, deemed 'Italy's most romantic village', where you can already settle in your hotel. Varenna, with its inspiring views of the lake and the distant mountains, brightly painted houses adorned with flower-filled balconies, a bustling waterfront and a maze of meandering cobblestone streets, is a delightful place to explore. You'll walk already a part of one of the historical pathways of the area, the so-called 'Sentiero del Viandante', which brings you to the curious Fiumelatte, Italy's shortest river, investigated already by Leonardo. travel canada In the afternoon you can opt to visit the small village of Bellano, where you can make a short, but very interesting walk into the canyon of the river Pioverna. Or perhaps you'll want just to relax and eat in a trattoria somewhere in the village.
Today you will walk the northern stretch of the 'Sentiero del Viandante'. There are several options: you can either walk a shorter or longer stretch. From Varenna you travel by boat or bus to Dervio or Bellano, and from there you walk along this relatively easy coastal path back to Varenna. Views over the lake from this path are marvellous and you walk through a nice terraced landscape. Those who wish can combine the walk with a visit to the abbey of Piona, one of the most intriguing places of Lake Como.
Today you will discover the whole central section of the Lago di Como by boat. According to your interests there are a several spots where you 'must' go: the splendid Villa Carlotta, with its beautiful gardens overlooking the lake, the charming Menaggio and of course Bellagio, the pearl of the lake , situated on the Punta Spartivento, where the two arms of Lake Como meet. Here you'll make an incredibly scenic walk through travel canada the delightful countryside, through the charming fishing village of Pescallo and up to the scenic hamlet of Visgnola. Down at the lake you walk back along the wonderful travel canada gardens of Villa Melzi. Then there is time to explore any number of the local villages by boat, or relax with a drink somewhere on the lake shore, before returning to the hotel.
Accommodation travel canada is on a bed and breakfast basis in 3/4-star hotels. All rooms have en-suite facilities. You are free to organise your dinner from the wide choice of restaurants in the area. No picnic lunches are included in the tour price. Materials for picnics can be purchased in the villages where you stay. Also is it possible on all walking days to have lunch in the villages.
Nights 1 2: These are spent at Como, the capital of the Lake, in a welcoming and comfortable 4-star hotel, centrally located at walking distance from all the main monuments travel canada of the medieval town centre.
Moderate (to Easy) . In the standard programme there are some more difficult walks, which include some longer sections uphill, sometimes on paths with rough surfaces. Most of the trails are well maintained. Part of these walks can be shortened, including only the sections travel canada on easy, mostly paved paths, clearly visible and easy to follow. For the real walkers, longer options are available for some of the walks (eg. days  2 – 4 – 5 – 6), with also some steeper climbs travel canada and descents.
Waymarking: Only a part of the route is waymarked; elsewhere it is necessary to follow the route descriptions provided together with the maps. Some walking maps are available from the tourist information centres travel canada at Como, Menaggio and Bellagio. Other maps are on sale at the newspapers agent's.
Arrival: The tour starts in Como. A regular train servic