ITINERARY | HIGHLIGHTS | WEATHER | ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL INFO

Italy

BELLAGIO AND THE ITALIAN LAKES 2008

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 £450.00 per person. (Single room £525.00)

INCLUDED

5 nights accommodation in room with lake view and buffet breakfast each morning 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), route notes and transfer to Monte San Primo.

NOT INCLUDED

entrance fees to the gardens and ferry crossings (approx. Euro 130.00 per person), drinks and meals other than breakfast.

Departure dates 2008:

April to the end of October.


To book email: walking@star.co.uk
T: (44) (0)1242 254353

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ITINERARY

 

(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 muletracks 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 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

 

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HIGHLIGHTS

If you have attended this walk previously We would love to hear your personal highlights. Mail Us

WEATHER

Click here to view the weather forecast Link courtesy of uk met office

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ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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 is Milan (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, sun hat, 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 whatever reason.

To book, contact worldwalks  at:
email:walking@star.co.uk
T: (44) (0)1242 254353

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