Study Tour Overview
Sparkling enigmatically like a dark sapphire, Lake Como is arguably Europe’s most beautiful lake – and certainly its deepest. Dramatically set against the steep and forbidding Italian and Swiss Alps in its austere northern reaches which betray the water’s glacial origins, towards its south end the lake acquires warmer, gentler prospects with stylish holiday villages nestling along the shore and innumerable villas perched on terraced slopes. Situated at the southern tip of the lake’s ‘left leg’, the lively little city of Como, birthplace in 23 AD of Pliny the Elder and in 1745 of Alessandro Volta, is an ideal base from which to explore the region’s rich and varied offerings: by boat, to enjoy aristocratic villas and beautiful gardens bordering the lake, and by coach to explore frescoed
Programme Details
| Day 1 |
Morning flight with British Airways from London Heathrow to Milan Linate. En route to Como, visit the Benedictine convent of Torba with fragments of Lombard and Carolingian wall paintings, before continuing to our four-star hotel in time for dinner.
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| Day 2 |
In the morning, explore Como on foot, including the lavishly decorated Duomo, and the Romanesque churches of San Fedele and Sant’Abbondio. In the afternoon, a visit to the Industrial Silk Museum will introduce you to this century-old key aspect of Como’s economy.
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| Day 3 |
The day will be dedicated to the southern part of Lake Como: by private boat cruise leisurely past villas and harbour towns, before visiting the famous Villa Carlotta at Tremezzo with its spectacular 19th-century gardens. By boat to the Isola Comacina for a sumptuous lunch, before spending some time at the picturesque resort of Bellagio, known as ‘la perla del lago’ for its unique setting which affords views of all three parts of the lake.
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| Day 4 |
In the morning, coach excursion the Renaissance villa of the Mozzoni Cicogna family: extensive frescoes of the loggia and interiors are complemented beautiful terraced gardens. After lunch by Lake Lugano, return to Lake Como’s western shore to walk around the enchanting gardens of Villa del Balbianello – a matchless blend of scenic eclectic architectural elements with lake and landscape – perhaps one of the most beautiful places ever created, and featuring in movies from Star Wars to James Bond.
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| Day 5 |
Morning excursion to Civate for a walk up a hill to admire the ancient church of San Pietro al Monte, with outstanding stuccowork and frescoes possibly dating from as early as the 9th century. After lunch, a short coach trip will take us to Cantù and the 1000-year-old basilica of San Vincenzo at Galliano with adjacent baptistery.
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| Day 6 |
In the morning, excursion by boat to the north-eastern shores of the lake: the Cistercian Abbey of Piona, situated on a peninsula between Colico and Olgiasca, has a splendid cloister. Corenno Plinio, named after Pliny the Elder, is a picturesque village with a church dedicated to Thomas Becket. After lunch in Varenna, continue to Olgiate Molgora where we will enjoy the hospitality of the Sommi Picenardi family in their 18th-century villa, with an English park at the front and a formal Italian garden at the back.
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| Day 7 |
At Castelseprio visit the 7th-century church of Santa Maria Foris Portas with rare Byzantine encaustic wall paintings. The programme of visits will conclude at Castiglione Olona, a spectacular showcase of Quattrocento Tuscan art in Lombardy, featuring works by Masolino and the Sienese Vecchietta. Early evening flight with BA from Milan Malpensa to London Heathrow, scheduled to land at c. 8pm.
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-Romanesque churches off the beaten track.
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