Join us for a relaxing afternoon on a private boat with fellow Inghams guests, as we guide you through the very best scenes and secrets of Lake Como. The trip includes stunning villas and views, and explores Isola Comacina, with its own unique and fascinating history, the only island on Lake Como. Sit back and relax as we cruise through the only glacier lake in Italy. Take in the dramatic and breath-taking scenery, while learning everything you need to know about the fascinating towns and villas on the lake.
As we set off from Bellagio, we head towards Menaggio. Travelling across the widest part of the lake, you can see the lake’s centre at Punta Spartivento. This stunning peninsula provides views of all three branches of the lake, and the Alps to the north of the lake.
Many of the villas on the lakeshore are home to the rich and famous, and many have featured as locations for scenes in popular, Hollywood movies. As we approach Menaggio you will see San Siro to your right. This is where the Villa Gaeta is located, the backdrop to the final scene in the James Bond film, Casino Royale.
We then journey down from Menaggio to Cadenabbia, to Villa Carlotta. Villa Carlotta is a popular visitors spot. The villa supports a large collection of 18th Century Italian art but it is for its botanical garden that the villa is most famous. The beautiful botanical gardens are full of rhododendrons and azaleas, as well as a stunning Italian terrace decorated with mythological marble carvings.
From Villa Carlotta, we cruise down towards Lenno. Lenno is home to the most spectacular villa on the lake, the Villa Balbianello. Dramatically situated on a peninsular and surrounded by charming gardens, the villa is an incredible example of local architecture. The villa is six stories high, three arches drop from the top of the villa to the private jetty on the waterfront. It’s clear to see why it was the backdrop for movies such as Casino Royale and A Summer on the Lake.
From Villa Balbianello, we journey to the island, Isola Comacina. As we travel down the southwest branch of this beautiful lake, Isola Comacina gracefully rises up before you. In the 1100s, a war broke out between the cities of Como and Milan that lasted for 10-years. Unfortunately, Como lost the war and some years later, Como took revenge by destroying the island and its cherished churches.
As we pull up on our private boat, you have the chance to explore this island, and its rich history and culture.by venturing through the pathways and church ruins. Exploring Lake Como by boat is a truly fascinating experience and we highly recommend this to all of our guests who visit the area.