Lake Como Garda Tours

Lake Como is one of the most famous and glamorous lakes in all of Italy — a deep glacial lake famous for its grand villas, lush gardens, colorful shores, and breathtaking views beloved by celebrities, royalty, and nature lovers for centuries. A city tour of Como is the perfect starting point — explore Piazza Duomo (Como's Duomo is a significant religious heritage site), stroll along the lakefront promenade, and take the Como-Brunate funicular for breathtaking views over the lake and Alps. A scenic boat trip around Lake Como's shores is the most enjoyable way to explore — glide past grand villas, discover Bellagio (famous for its picturesque lanes and gardens), and admire the extraordinary Villa del Balbianello used as a filming location for Star Wars and James Bond. Private boat tours offer more personalized experiences on Lake Como, and tours include scenic ferry rides on Lake Como to Bellagio and Varenna. Lake Como features scenic ferry rides as a budget-friendly way to explore the lake from a completely different perspective.

Lake Maggiore is Italy's second-largest lake — a long, narrow lake shared between Italy and Switzerland, famous for the extraordinary Borromean Islands, the elegant resort town of Stresa, and the magnificent gardens of Isola Bella and Isola Madre. Isola Bella is the most famous of the Borromean Islands — home to the magnificent 17th-century Borromeo Palace and its extraordinary baroque terraced gardens, one of the most celebrated sights in all of northern Italy. Isola Madre is home to an extraordinary botanical garden of rare plants and white peacocks, while Isola dei Pescatori is a charming fishing village with excellent local restaurants serving fresh lake fish and local specialties. Lake Maggiore tours from Milan take a few hours by train — an ideal full day excursion combining a boat tour of the Borromean Islands with the grand villas of Stresa's shores. Maria Callas famously loved Lake Maggiore and spent time in its grand villas — the lake has attracted celebrities and artists for centuries.

Lake Garda is Italy's largest lake — a vast, shimmering lake stretching from the Veneto to Lombardy, surrounded by medieval castles, olive groves, vineyards, and dramatic alps. Sirmione is known for its Scaligero Castle and historical sites — this charming medieval castle town on a narrow peninsula offers extraordinary lake views, thermal baths, and Roman ruins. A scenic boat trip around Lake Garda's stunning shoreline cruises past Limone sul Garda's lemon groves, the Roman arena of Desenzano del Garda, and the dramatic northern shores. Many tours depart from Milan to explore both Lake Como and Lake Garda — multi-day tours can include Lake Maggiore, Lake Como, and Lake Garda as a comprehensive Italian lakes journey. Lake Garda offers numerous beaches for swimming and relaxation, wine tasting in the Bardolino and Lugana wine regions, and guided sightseeing in Verona — the city of Romeo and Juliet, just 30 minutes from the lake's southern shores.