Best of Varenna

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Varenna

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Varenna Essentials

Top Experiences in the Northern Lakes Region: Lake Como & Lake Garda

Italy has its fair share of beautiful lakes, but the most popular area to relax along freshwater is the Northern Lakes District. Here, you'll find the big three: Lake Como, Lake Garda, and Lake Maggiore (amongst others). Of all the scenic pools, Como and Garda steal the show with their dramatic mountainous surroundings, posh grand villas, and elaborate garden terraces. You can explore impressive waterfront castles, charming cobbled streets in historic villages, and even the famed Amarone wine region.

Best Things to Do in Milan

Known as a global fashion capital, this historic city is much more than high-end shopping. Its reputation sprouts from a fashion heritage dating back generations. You'll find authentic shops honoring the exceptional "Made in Italy" label selling everything from handmade bags to shoes to watches, clothing, and more. But Milan also offers a fascinating history with incredible architecture and the third-largest church globally, the Duomo. Attend an opera, visit the nearby Lakes District, or join the locals by bar-hopping for an evening Apertivo.

Varenna Itineraries

Exploring The Villages of Lake Como - 6 Days

This 6-day trip will take you through the beautiful villages of Lake Como in Northern Italy. Learn about the history of Como's cathedral and the silk industry at Museo Didattico della Seta. Stay in the traditional village of Varenna and visit the iconic Villa Monastero. Travel across the lake by boat to wander the cobbled streets of Bellagio and round off the trip with free time to discover Villa Mylius Vigoni in Menaggio.

Exploring The Villages of Lake Como - 5 Days

Explore three beautiful villages of Lake Como on a quick 5-day trip to Northern Italy. Learn about the history of Como during a guided tour of Villa Olmo and the Basilica of San Fedele. Take a scenic ferry ride to travel to the traditional village of Varenna. Learn about the significance of iconic villas including Villa Monastero in Varenna, then hop across to Bellagio by boat to visit the botanical gardens of Villa Serbelloni and the neoclassical Villa Melzi.

Exploring The Villages of Lake Como - 8 Days

Spend 8 days exploring the villages of Lake Como, at the heart of the Lake District. Begin in the main town of Como with a guided tour of the 14th-century Cathedral of Como and Villa Olmo park. Travel by boat to Tremezzina and walk through charming villages along the Greenway of Lake Como. Discover the elegance and history of villas and botanical gardens in Varenna, Bellagio, and Menaggio.

Exploring The Villages of Lake Como - 7 Days

Enjoy 7 days exploring romantic Lake Como in Italy's Lake District. Take a guided tour of Como, visit Villa Olmo park, and ride up to Brunate on the funicular railway for unrivaled views across the lake. Walk the Greenway of Lake Como, a 6-mile route along the lakeside, and stop at Villa Balbianello in Lenno. Hop across the lake by boat to wander the cobbled streets and botanical gardens in Varenna and Bellagio.

The Best of Milan, Parma & Lake Como - 7 Days

Explore the best of Northern Italy on this seven-day trip to Milan and Lake Como. Discover Renaissance art in Milan, learn how to cook your own homemade pasta, and mix a classic Italian aperitivo. Taste your way through Parma's famous food scene and relax on Lake Como as you visit magnificent villas and the villages of Bellagio and Varenna.

Discover the beauty of Lake Maggiore on this romantic week in Italy

Romance in the Italian Lakes: Venice, Lake Como & Lake Maggiore - 7 Days

Fall in love with northern Italy's great lakes on this seven-day romantic vacation. Begin in Venice with a dreamy sunset gondola ride, then travel to Lake Como, where a home-cooked meal awaits. You'll explore both Como and Lake Maggiore with a private skipper, who'll share the best sights and places to eat, before zipping over to Lake Orta on the back of a Vespa. Collect souvenirs in Stresa, and join an offbeat culture tour that ends with a wine tasting in a lesser-known town.

Explore elegant lakeside villas and fabled islands on this romantic 10-day journey through the Italian Lakes

Romance in the Italian Lakes: Venice, Garda, Como & Maggiore - 10 Days

Let the beauty of the Italian Lakes sweep you off your feet on this 10-day romantic vacation. Holiday bliss begins in Venice with a dreamy sunset gondola ride; then, it's time to hop between the colorful lakeside towns of Lombardy. Start with a cable car ride above Garda, the largest lake, then visit Como, where you'll feel like an A-lister with a private boat for the day. Finally, meet a home cook on the shores of Maggiore and jet out to the Borromean Islands to explore opulent palaces and gardens.

Venice to Milan via the Lakes Region - 9 Days

On this 9-day trip, head from Venice to Milan with time to relax along two of Italy's top lakes. Venice's canal network, gondolas, and grand piazzas are iconic. Take a tour with a local guide and learn about the significance of St Mark's Square and Basilica. Explore Lake Garda and Lake Como by boat as you visit Bellagio's villas and Lake Garda's castles, and admire the views from Monte Baldo mountain. Immerse yourself in Milan's history and art as you spend a day walking through the city from Piazza del Duomo to the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where "The Last Supper" painting awaits you.

Historic Milan, Romantic Lake Como & Charming Lake Maggiore - 10 Days

During this 10-day trip, you'll experience the best of Milan and visit two of the most beautiful lakes in Northern Italy. Admire the mix of Gothic and Renaissance art and architecture in Milan, and taste local street food. On Lake Como, enjoy a guided tour of the traditional lakeside villages of Varenna and Bellagio, and take the scenic route by boat to the town of Como and visit its cathedral. On Lake Maggiore, discover the picturesque town of Stresa and the island of Isola Bella, and take a cable car ride for views out over the lake at sunset.

Venice to Turin via the Lakes Region - 10 Days

With this 10 day trip, you'll travel across Northern Italy, connecting its top cities and the Lakes region. Beginning in Venice, explore the grand Doge's Palace with a local guide on a walking tour and experience the city's charming canals. Relax on Lake Garda and visit the charming village of Malcesine. Explore the beautiful villas and botanical gardens around Lake Como and admire the views from the water as you travel by boat. Finally, discover the cities of Milan and Turin, steeped in history, with tours of palaces, castles, and cathedrals.

Venice to Turin via the Lakes Region - 11 Days

This 11-day trip will take you through some of the highlights of Northern Italy, from Veneto in the east to Piedmont in the west. Start your trip in Venice, with a guided walking tour of the major highlights beginning at St. Mark's Square. Then, head to Lake Garda and Lake Como, two of the most beautiful areas in Italy surrounded by picturesque villages and magnificent villas. Explore the lakes by boat and take a cable car ride to enjoy the sunset over Lake Garda. Explore Milan's Cathedral and see Da Vinci's "The Last Supper", then make your way to Turin to indulge in chocolate and street food at Porta Palazzo market.

Venice to Turin via the Lakes Region - 12 Days

Take a 12-day trip across Northern Italy and the Lakes region with this itinerary. Start your trip in Venice with a guided walking tour of Piazza San Marco and the canals of the 'Floating City'. Visit two Italian lakes rich in natural beauty, Lake Garda and Lake Como, and enjoy a cable car ride to the top of Monte Baldo for panoramic views and walking trails. Take a day trip to the romantic city of Verona, and tour elegant villas in the villages of Varenna and Bellagio. Explore history and art at Milan's Cathedral and eat your way through Turin's street food scene.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping mall

The Best of Milan & Lake Como - 5 Days

Explore the best of Northern Italy on this 5-day trip to Milan and Lake Como. Milan is a city full of Rennaissance art and historic architecture, as you'll experience as you visit its famous Gothic Duomo and other highlights. Learn how to make fresh pasta and Italian cocktails during a cooking class, and take a day trip to Lake Como and visit the beautiful villages of Bellagio, Varenna, and Como.

Hop between the borders of Italy and Switzerland on this 10-day luxury tour

Luxury Italian & Swiss Lakes by Train - 10 Days

Combine scenic train journeys, luxury hotels, and the best of northern Italy's idyllic Lake District on this perfectly curated 10-day trip. Start on the shores of tranquil Lake Garda, then take in the highlights of Lake Como via an overnight stop in chic St. Moritz. You'll finish with four nights in Switzerland, touring the cities of Lucerne and Zürich, with scenic hikes in the Jungfrau region and a day at picture-perfect Lake Thun.

Luxury Italian & Swiss Lakes by Train - 8 Days

Enjoy eight days of indulgence through Italy and Switzerland on this itinerary. You'll go from the lakes into the mountains, then back down to lakes and back up to more mountains, taking in countless viewpoints and historic landmarks before you end with a day in the city of Zurich.

The Best of Milan, Parma, & Lake Como - 6 Days

Explore the best of Northern Italy on this 6-day trip to Milan and Lake Como. Start your trip in Milan to learn about Rennaissance art and history, and discover the secrets of making your own homemade pasta and classic cocktails from a local expert. Spend a day in Parma eating prosciutto and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, then escape the city with a day trip to the villages of Bellagio and Varenna on Lake Como, before heading home from Milan.

Luxury Italian & Swiss Lakes by Train - 15 Days

Enjoy the famously punctual trains of Italy and Switzerland on this 15-day itinerary that will take you through the beautiful Alpine lakes via a relaxed scenic route. In addition to the many lakes themselves, you'll experience historic castles, Alpine peaks and passes, and culinary creations on your journey.

Luxury Italian & Swiss Lakes by Train - 12 Days

Take the time to traverse northern Italy and Switzerland at a slower pace over the course of 12 days. Traveling by train means that you can truly take in the views and lifestyle of the lakes, mountains, and towns that you'll encounter on your route.

Luxury Italian & Swiss Lakes by Train - 6 Days

Spend six days savoring the luxury of northern Italy and Switzerland on this trip. Whether you're wandering lakeside streets, hiking up the mountain trails, or taking in the views from outside your train window, you're sure to find something to delight you.

Food & Wine in Bologna, Milan & Turin - 9 Days

On this 9-day food and wine itinerary, indulge in Italy's best regional produce. You'll start in Bologna and Parma sampling the high-quality cured meats and cheeses sold in bustling markets, as well as exploring iconic buildings and piazzas. Move on to the foodie-friendly city of Mila and, wander the Navigli District, enjoying aperitivos with locals along the canals. Take a day trip out to Lake Como for a relaxing tour of the villages and a boat ride. End your trip in the Piedmont region, origin of the Slow Food movement, and go on a full-day wine tasting experience in the Langhe Hills.

Luxury Italian & Swiss Lakes by Train - 13 Days

Go from lakes to mountains and back again over the course of this 13-day journey. You'll start off in the Italian lake region before riding the classic Bernina Express train through the Alps across the border, where you can sample a range of Swiss favorites from hiking to chocolate. Return to Italy to lounge by Lake Como, then back to Switzerland once more for the valleys of Bernese Oberland before you depart.

Luxury Italian & Swiss Lakes by Train - 11 Days

Enjoy 11 days' worth of picture-perfect scenery on this itinerary. Whether you're posing in front of a lakeside villa, Roman castle, or mountain panorama, you'll be surrounded by sights that you want to save for repeat viewings.

Luxury Italian & Swiss Lakes by Train - 9 Days

Go from lakes to mountains and back again with this nine-day itinerary. Wander the shores of Lake Garda, take a cable car up to the top of Monte Baldo, ride some of the most famous Swiss train routes, and more as you enjoy the views, history, and more along the way.

Other popular travel destinations in Italy
Tuscany · Rome · Florence · Venice · Amalfi Coast · Sicily · Milan · Naples · Sorrento · Palermo · Italian Riviera · Lake Como · Taormina · Lake Garda · Verona · Syracuse · Cinque Terre · Siena · Emilia Romagna · Capri · Como · Bologna · Agrigento · Piedmont · Chianti · Turin · San Gimignano · Bellagio · Lakes District · Catania · Umbria · Puglia · Salento · Lecce · Alberobello · Bari · Dolomites · Aeolian Islands · Bolzano · Ragusa · Montepulciano · Mount Etna · Mount Vesuvius · Sardinia · Valle d'Itria · Ostuni · Val d'Orcia · Neive · Polignano a Mare · Bolgheri · Menaggio · Alpe di Siusi · Valtellina · Tricase · Maremma · Barbaresco · San Cassiano (Dolomites) · Moltrasio · Mazara del Vallo · Langhe

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