Send this trip to a friend Lake Como, a prestigious retreat since the days of Julius Caesar, is the backdrop for Backroads' luxurious excursion in the Italian Lakes region on the border of Italy and Switzerland. Opulent villas graced by magnificent gardens bedeck the banks of this glacially sculpted masterpiece like jewels. We meet in Como, a lively town at the southern end of Lake Como and the center of Italy's silk production since the 16th century. Amble along the shimmering lake to Cernobbio's elegant Villa d'Este. Travel by funicular to Brun te for a rewarding hike on Monte Uccellera.
Cozy mountain huts beckon along our route with alpine hospitality and refreshments.
I trail to Tremezzo, where you may visit the celebrated Villa Carlotta, festooned with gardens and statuary by Antonio Canova. A private boat carries us to Villa Balbianello for an exclusive tour of what many consider Lake Como's most impressive villa. Dine at the acclaimed Locanda dell'Isola Comacina, set on Lake Como's only island. Days 4-6 Bellagio Journey east to Bellano, famed for its dramatic gorge, and walk to Varenna, where castle ruins cling to the steep hillside. In the forested hills of Monte San Primo, our uphill efforts reap gorgeous views of Bellagio and the distant Swiss Alps.