ITINERARY | HIGHLIGHTS | WEATHER | ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL INFO Italy
BELLAGIO AND THE ITALIAN LAKES 2010
The Italian Lakes are among the most beautiful in Europe. Most famous of all, and thought by many to be the most beautiful, is Lake Como, immortalised in the opening lines of the classic of Italian literature,'I Promessi Sposi' (the Betrothed), by Alessandro Manzoni. It deserves its fame, surrounded as it is by high mountains, its shore dotted with pretty villages and towns. Located north of Milan, close to the border with Switzerland, this is northern Italy at its most beautiful. Good food, a relaxed attitude to life, leisurely walking, a comfortable climate. Your base for the week is Bellagio, sometimes described, with its cobbled streets and handsome houses, as the prettiest village in Europe.
PRICE
Currently £495.00 per person. (Single room £575.00)
INCLUDED
5 nights accommodation in room with lake view and buffet breakfast eachmorning in an elegant hotel in the centre of town overlooking Lake Como (the Hotel du Lac has a swimming pool, tennis courts and fitness centre which are in gardens just outside the town, accessible by hotel shuttle bus) and route notes.
NOT INCLUDED
Entrance fees to the gardens and ferry crossings (approx. Euro 130.00 per person), drinks and meals other than breakfast, transfer to Rovenza.
DEPARTURES
April to the end of October.
To book email:
walking@star.co.uk T: (44) (0)1242 254353
(This is a possible itinerary - it can be adapted to your own requirements)
Day 1: Arrive in Bellagio and check into your hotel situated in the centre of the town on the lake front. Take time to explore the town - Bellagio is home to two beautiful gardens - the Villa Melzi and the Villa Serbelloni Gardens.
Day 2: Take the hydrofoil or boat to Bellano. Spend some time in the pretty town before walking uphill to join the path that leads to the beautiful village of Varenna. The walk is along grass paths with views of the lake over to Bellagio and Mennagio. At the castle above Varenna make you way down to this delightful village, enjoy a drink or snack before taking the ferry back to Bellagio.
12.8 kms/8 miles Day 3: Take the boat or hydrofoil to Argegno. Walk to cable car and go up Pigra - fantastic views across the lake. Fine walk through the Valle delle Camogge and then along paths and mule tracks to alpine pastures, visiting charming rural chapels en route. Ferry back to Bellagio.
12.8 kms/8 miles (It is also possible to do a shorter walk if you prefer). Day 4: Boat or hydrofoil to the historic town of Menaggio. The first part of the walk takes you on an exploration of the town - here you can visit St Marta with its beautiful 17th century paintings and the ruins of the medieval castle. Take the ferry to Cadenabbia. Walk through forest and fields to Tremezzo and visit the Villa Carlotta which dates back to 1690 - it contains many treasures from the former royal palace in Milan and sits in spacious gardens. Then it is back to Cadenabbia to take the ferry back to Bellagio.
9 kms/5.5 miles Day 5: In the morning you will be collected (25 euro payable locally) and taken up to the village of Rovenza where the walk starts. From here you walk up Monte San Primo through beech and elder woods to Alpe delle Ville. If you like, enjoy a traditional lunch at the Hotel La Genzianella before walking down to Bellagio.
14.4 kms/9 miles Day 6: Check-out and departure.
DIFFICULTY OF WALK
Easy to moderate - walks can be easily adapted to suit your capabilities
If you have done this walk before we would be delighted to hear your personal highlights.
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ACCOMMODATION
Hotel du Lac: elegant hotel in the centre of town overlooking Lake Como. The hotel has a swimming pool, tennis courts and fitness centre in gardens just outside the town, which are accessible by hotel shuttle bus.
LOCATION:
Bellagio is located at the tip of the isthmus that separates the two southern branches of Lake Como (Lago di Como).
GETTING THERE
BY AIR: The nearest airport isMilan (Milano). Milan has 2 airports - Linate and Malpensa. The nearest is Malpensa. From Malpensa there is a bus to Menaggio. From here take a boat, ferry or hydrofoil to Bellagio. Budget airlines fly into Bergamo - from here it is possible to get to Bellagio by train and ferry.
BY ROAD: From Milan to Como, then the lakeside road to Torno and Bellagio.
WHAT TO TAKE:
Sturdy walking boots and walking socks (with a change of socks in rucksack), rucksack/day pack, swimming costume, 1 x water bottle with 1 litre capacity, insect repellent, sun glasses, sunhat, sun block/cream, rainproof, fleece, compass, torch and a first-aid kit.
INSURANCE We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for any reason.
To book, contact
worldwalks at:
email:
walking@star.co.uk T: (44) (0)1242 254353