Lakes, Food & Wine Tour of Como & Lugano - 7 Days

Highlights

• Visit historic lakeside towns like Bellagio and Locarno
• Take a boat tour around Lake Como and see opulent villas
• Go on cycling tours and wine tastings in southern Switzerland
• Tour historic castles and sample local Ticino cuisine

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Lake Como (Italy), Private Boat Ride & Bellagio Tour

Welcome to Italy! After a connecting flight and a train ride north from Milan, you'll arrive at beautiful Lake Como. Located in the northern Lombardy region, the third largest lake in Italy is a famous resort area lined with historic towns and opulent, centuries-old villas. Beyond that, visitors are treated to dazzling views of the surrounding Alpine scenery.

There's no better introduction to this region than a boat tour around the lake—which is what you'll do when you arrive. During this three-hour excursion, you'll get closer to some of the most impressive villas on the lakeshore (including one owned by George Clooney). This is a guided ride along the southern arm of the lake between the historic towns of Torno and Blevio. As you go, your guide will reveal insight into the other charming villages you pass. One highlight is passing near the storybook isle of Comacina—the only island in Como.

At the end of the tour, you'll transfer a little ways north to Bellagio. Known as the "Pearl of Lake Como," it enjoys a strategic location on a peninsula offering panoramic views. During a stop in this picturesque town, you can stroll its cobbled streets lined with colorful houses, charming boutiques, and quaint cafés. Don't miss the many wonderful craft shops filled with artisanal goods like pottery, jewelry, leather items, artwork, and more. If you like, you can head over to Villa Serbelloni, an extravagant 19th-century hotel, for a bite to eat amid epic lake views.

Day 2: Valtellina Wine & Countryside Tour

Wake early and enjoy postcard views of the sun rising over the azure waters of Lake Como. Then, after a light and highly caffeinated Italian breakfast, meet your driver on a full-day wine/countryside tour. You're headed northeast of Lake Como to Valtellina, an enchanting river valley known for its pristine lakes, soaring mountain views, and incredible wines. It's a scenic journey where you'll travel along the lakeshore and stop at mountain villages to enjoy local culture.

Once you arrive in Valtellina, the tour's main focus will be on the area's famous vineyards. This viticulture region produces some spectacular wines, mainly from the nebbiolo grape variety (known locally as chiavennasca). While here, you'll tour scenic terraced vineyards and sample local red wines like Valtellina Superiore, known for its complex yet smooth flavor profile. Before returning to Como, additional highlights include traveling through forested valleys to historic castles and romantic waterfalls—don't forget your camera!

Day 3: Train to Lugano (Switzerland), Food & Wine City Tour

Leave in the morning on a scenic train ride north of Lake Como into Switzerland and Lugano. Sitting on the eponymous lake, Lugano has grown from a simple fishing village to the largest Italian-speaking city outside of Italy in less than two centuries. This cultural fusion is seen throughout the city, from its cuisine to architecture. For example, in addition to Lugano's Renaissance churches, it features modern cultural landmarks like the Museo d'Arte della Svizzera Italiana (Art Museum of Italian Switzerland) and the Auditorio Stelio Molo, a cutting-edge concert hall with world-class acoustics.

After checking into your hotel, you'll meet a local guide for a food, wine, and cultural tour. This three-hour jaunt begins in the historic center, where you'll stop in at a few eateries specializing in cuisine from the Ticino region (Switzerland's Italian-speaking southern area). Sample some traditional dishes, like minestrone (vegetable soup) and squid ink risotto, all paired with delicious local wine. Capping the food portion of the tour will be a stop at a local gelateria to sample the Swiss interpretation of this tasty treat. 

Day 4: Lugano Wine & Castles Tour

You're in for a treat, as this morning, you'll transfer south from Lugano to the picturesque lakeside town of Morcote. Here, you'll enjoy a tour of a family-owned winery atop a hill overlooking the 15th-century Morcote Castle and the lake below. During the two-hour visit, you'll stroll the terraced vineyards, learn about organic grape cultivation, visit the wine cellar, and of course, sample some world-class wines. These include limited reserve varietals paired with local meats and cheeses.

After the wine tour, continue exploring historic Morcote, an idyllic lakeside town on a peninsula. The town itself mostly grew around its iconic Church of Saint Maria del Sasso, a Romanesque-Baroque cathedral dating to the 15th century. On a self-guided tour, you can wander the cobbled streets of Morcote's Old Town, stroll the waterfront promenade, stop at Swiss chocolate shops, and visit the lush botanical garden. Don't miss a visit to the famous church, which boasts beautiful frescoes and offers prime lake views. Later, you'll return to Lugano.

Day 5: Agriculture & Winemaking Experience, Visit Locarno

Transfer north from Lugano this morning on a trip to neighboring Lake Maggiore. Your destination is the Maggia Delta, a headland where the Maggiore River flows into the lake. Besides the great views, this scenic coastal area boasts a unique ecology that includes wetland areas home to waterbirds such as herons and egrets.

This day tour commences with a brisk one-hour hike in the delta, followed by a drive around the region's famous merlot vineyards. You'll also travel around fragrant apple orchards alongside flourishing rice paddies and spend time in the shade of walnut trees. The region also grows other grape varieties besides merlot, and you'll stop for a tasting at a winery to sample four or five curated glasses that might include aromatic white wines like chardonnay and kerner.

The area is also famous for its colorful lakeside towns. After the wine tasting, you'll enjoy a self-guided tour of one such medieval gem, Locarno. Founded in the 12th century, it features grand plazas, cobbled streets, and a scenic waterfront promenade. Other highlights include the iconic Castello Visconteo, which houses the fine Museo Civico, a museum showcasing Roman antiquities. Also, don't miss the 15th-century Santuario della Madonna del Sasso, a religious sanctuary and pilgrimage site on a rocky hill overlooking the lake. Afterward, you'll return to Lugano.

Day 6: Cycling & Wine Tasting in Vall da Mücc

You haven't exhausted the natural beauty of southern Switzerland just yet. See even more of it today, this time on a guided bike ride. Transfer by vehicle in the morning south to the town of Balerna, where you'll meet your group. There, you'll strap on a helmet, hop on a bike, and embark on a memorable journey through the Vall da Mücc, Switzerland's southernmost valley.

Ride along bucolic landscapes to Bruzella, a village famous for its agricultural heritage. During a stop, you'll visit an old mill and sample local cuisine as you learn about age-old traditions and rural life in the area. The area is also known for its vineyards, and you'll get to sample some local wines. On the way back, you'll stop at another local restaurant for a refreshment before returning to Lugano. 

Day 7: Transfer to Milan, Depart

Savor one last morning espresso on the lakeshore before it's time to gather your things. Then, at the appropriate time, make the transfer (by train and/or car) south back into Italy and Milan, where you'll catch your flight home. Ciao!

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