Central Lake Tour From Varenna, Boat Food and Villas Tour
- Walking tours of Bellagio and Varenna
- Relaxing cruise on a private watertaxi
- Tasting of olive oil at the panoramic Vezio Castle
- The iconic Villa Balbianello and Villa Melzi
A full day tour to discover the "pearls" of the mid-lake area: a perfect combination of local olive oil tasting, walking in Varenna, enjoying an amazing private cruise, visiting the botanical gardens of Villa Balbianello and of Villa Melzi in Bellagio.
The tour starts with a minivan trip to a panoramic castle overlooking the lake (Vezio Castle) to enjoy the views and taste locally produced olive oil. Once back in Varenna a guided walking tour of Varenna will follow, with its Celtic origins and steep alleys. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant where you will sit and relax while sampling a local appetizer and a pasta dish. In the afternoon, an amazing private Venetian watertaxi cruise will give you the chance to admire the spectacular mountains and the stunning villas, once the homes of aristocrats, now the playgrounds for the jet set. You will disembark at Villa del Balbianello, a real gem not to be missed, stunning shooting location for a number of famous films such as “Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones” and “Casino Royale”. Take some time to take pictures in its panoramic gardens. Afterwards, our motorboat will bring you to Bellagio, where you shall be guided through the wonderful Villa Melzi gardens, followed by a stroll along the lakeside. The tour will end at approximately 5:30 pm in this world-renowned village, where you are highly recommended to stop for a romantic happy hour or dinner. Our tour guide will suggest the best restaurants in the area.
Professional English-speaking tour guide
Transfer to the Castle and back Tasting with local olive oil, Tickets to the Castle
Lunch with 2 courses, glass of wine and water
Private cruise of 2 ½ hours including a 1 h stop at a villa
Tickets to the gardens of Villa del Balbianello and of Villa Melzi
Meeting Point: At 10:15 AM, Varenna, by the small anchor across the road from the Ferry Terminal Ticket Office ​Piazza Martiri della Libertà Varenna – Italy
In case of bad weather conditions, it is possible that this tour undergoes some slight changes and that the boat cruise to Villa Balbianello is carried out using public ferries due to safety reasons.The short walk to the Castle in Varenna entails some steep steps. Please make sure you are up to it and that you wear comfortable shoes for walking.