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Route Rating Level 1 to Level 3

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Premiere Inns
  • $5,998 pp dbl. occ.
  • (+$1,640 for sgl. occ.)

Reserve early for the best available price. More Info

6 DAYS, 5 NIGHTS
ROLLOVER DATES BELOW FOR SPECIFIC PRICES
2009 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
ROLLOVER DATES ABOVE FOR SPECIFIC PRICES
TRIP NOTES

All meals included except 1 lunch and 1 dinner.

Cancellation Policy

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Meet / Depart

Milan, Italy/Como, Italy

Special Interest

Culture & History, Fine Wine & Cuisine, Romance &/or Honeymoon, Spa

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Berkeley, CA 94710

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Italian Lakes Walking

Italian Lakes Walking

A Stylish Sojourn in the Shadow of the Alps

Lake Como, a prestigious retreat since the days of Julius Caesar, is the setting for this luxurious Backroads excursion in the Italian Lakes region. In the shadow of the Italian and Swiss Alps, visit lavish villas and their magnificent gardens, a testament to Lake Como’s opulent past. Adorning the banks of this glacially sculpted lake, these dazzling estates welcome you. Here in Italy’s playground for the elite, steep forested slopes and quiet villages promise spectacular exploring - from alpine hikes to garden strolls - while our eminent hotels, including the legendary lakeside Villa d’Este, guarantee gourmet cuisine and unparalleled luxury.

You are viewing the Classic Premiere Inns version of this trip.
View the Classic Casual Inns Itineraries.

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Day 1 Orta San Giulio

Meet in Milan and shuttle to Agrano for a hike on the eastern edge of stunning Lake Orta, renowned for fueling the creative inspiration of Flaubert and Tchaikovsky Visit the medieval hamlet of Orta San Giulio and explore its quiet lanes and 1,000-year-old monastery.

Days 2-3 Cernobbio

Hike to Monte Mottarone for spectacular vistas 4,900 feet above Lakes Orta and Maggiore Travel by funicular to the town of Stresa and boat to Isola Bella Arrive at Lake Como in time to luxuriate on our hotel’s terrace or at the spa Savor superb views of the lake and its colorful villas as you follow a wooded footpath into the hills along the western shore Explore Como and shop for souvenirs.

Days 4-6 Bellagio

Take a private boat to Bellano and hike to Varenna, admiring magnificent villas, colorful gardens and castle ruins along the way  Walk along the waterfront to Villa Melzi, one of Lake Como’s grand estates  En route to Baita Belvedere, stop at a farm to taste locally made cheeses, creams, milk and yogurt  Visit the 18th-century Villa Balbinello and savor the views of the lake and surrounding hills.

Route Rating What's this? Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Each offers options for more or less activity, so you can decide exactly how much you want to do day by day.

Lodging What's this? Our lodgings are divided into three different categories.

Premiere Inns:These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.

Casual Inns:These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the areawith such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.

Deluxe Camping:We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.

Detailed Itinerary

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Guest Trip Reviews

We love Backroads and recommend it highly to all of our friends. Truly it has enhanced our understanding of cultures, our love of nature, and opened the world to us. We are grateful for every trip you have provided and hope to do more in the years ahead. Backroads remains our favorite - although we have taken 2 trips with other companies. I think you do a better job on helping the participants learn about the culture and your guides are incredible. We will not forget our trip to the Lake District.
Candice Nadler - Excelsior, MN

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For more than 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Italian Lakes tour experts. For walking tours and hiking tours in Europe Italy, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Europe Italy walking tours and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe Italy biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe Italy multisport tours click here.

Italian Lakes Walking

MAGNIFICENT VILLAS: Premiere Inns

Villa Crespi

Orta San Giulio (1 night): A Moorish-influenced villa built in the 19th century by a successful cotton trader, with intricately patterned floors, frescoed ceilings and guest rooms featuring four-poster beds and 19th-century paintings.

Villa d'Este

Cernobbio (2 nights): Rated by Travel+Leisure as one of Europe's top 50 hotels, "where ease and formality are happily married," this 16th-century villa, once the playground of aristocracy, is Lake Como's crown jewel.

Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni

Bellagio (2 nights): Palatial splendor awaits at this five-star gem - magnificent gardens, ornate frescoes, a spa and a private beach are among the luxuries.

Italian Lakes Walking Italian Lakes Walking

Villa d'Este

You are viewing the Classic Premiere Inns version of this trip.
View the Classic Casual Inns Itineraries.

Italian Lakes Walking

Route Rating

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
  • Levels 1 to 2  3 Route Options Available
  • 4.5, 6.2 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
  • Walking Tour 1 hour
Day 2
  • Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
  • 2.7, 5 miles
  • 1000 - 2500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
  • Levels 1 to 4  3 Route Options Available
  • 2.9, 5.4, 9.1 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
  • Levels 1 to 2 3 Route Options Available
  • 4.3, 5, 5.3 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 5
  • Levels 1 to 3  3 Route Options Available
  • 2.4, 3.7, 6.6  miles
  • 1000 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
  • Conclusion of trip
Italian Lakes Walking Italian Lakes Walking

Trips For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Average Distance
    Biking Walking
& Hiking
1 2-3
hours		 10-20
miles		 2-5
miles
2 2-4
hours		 21-30
miles		 5-7
miles
3 3-5
hours		 31-40
miles		 7-9
miles
4 4-6
hours		 41-55
miles		 9-11
miles
5 5-7+
hours		 56-75+
miles		 11-13+
miles