Milan and Como Lake discovery

Day 1: Milan & Aperitif on Navigli Arrival in Milano airport. Pick up the car and transfer to the city centre. Accommodation in hotel 3*/ B&B. Free afternoon to visit the city centre by your own and in the evening enjoy a walk with an aperitif on Navigli – discovering one of the most vibrant part of the city. Return to the hotel and overnight. Day 2: Milan Tram Tour After breakfast, meet your local buddy guide for a private unusual visit to Milan’s artistic and historical quarters. Discover Milan on a slow tram ride through the city center, starting in Piazzale Cadorna, under the famous “Needle-and-Thread” monument. Visit Sforza Castle, where your guide will tell you the history of the Ducal residence and one of the largest citadels in Europe. Located at the margins of Sempione Park, the castle provides panoramic views of the Arch of Peace, Milan’s commemorative arch, built by Luigi Cagnola at the request of Napoleon. Traveling on Line No. 1, cross the city center to see the historic Street cars of the 1930s. Pass through the Brera district en route to Cordusio, the heart of Milan’s Financial District. Then, take a walking tour of the city center to see the imposing Duomo (Cathedral), covered Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, and La Scala Opera House. Back on Tram No. 1, ride through the Fashion District. Pass the consulate buildings of the Diplomatic Quarters, and admire the monuments of Piazza della Repubblica. The tour ends on Corso Buenos Aires, one of Milan’s main shopping avenues, making for a perfect drop off to enjoy some free time to shop! Dinner at leisure and overnight. Day 3: Como Lake boat tour After breakfast, get ready to catch the morning train to Lake Como, check in at the hotel. Meet with your local guide for a private half-day experience around Lake Como. Start exploring the historical centre of Como, before getting to the embarcadero. You will catch the ferry to enjoy a cruise around the first basin of the Lake. While cruising along the lake shores, you can admire Villa d’Este, Villa Pizzo (former seat of the Archduke Ranieri), the former Cambiaghi Villas, Villa le Rose, Villa Passalacqua (designed by Felice Soave), the beach at Moltrasio and the Oratory of San Rocco, the jetty. Near the jetty you will see the famous Villa Scalfi, where Vincenzo Bellini composed “La Straniera”, then the tiny harbour with the seat of the Rowing Club, the Castle at Urio with its magnificent gardens, the Romanesque bell tower of the Church of Saints Quirico and Giovita, Villa Fuoco (now Villa Baragiola Carcano) – once the home of Sofia Fuoco, a famous ballerina; Villa Ripiego, former home of Count Trivulzio (now of Viganotti Giusti). The tour ends at the small port of Carate, where you can see one of the few transport boats still exhisting on the Lake. You will have time to enjoy a pleasant stop in the small fishermen village Torno, before getting back to Como. Enjoy some time for a walk along the gorgeous lake streets from Villa Olmo to Villa Geno, spotting the Alessandro Volta’s temple. Dinner at leisure and overnight in Como. Day 4: Brunate Panoramic Funicular After breakfast, enjoy the morning with an exhilarating view, head to the village of Brunate situated 700 m above sea level and take the panoramic funicular railway up the mountain. Upon arrival, follow the path to the Lighthouse of San Maurizio where the vista extends over Lake Como all the way to the Madonnina (statue of the Virgin Mary) atop the Cathedral of Milan. Evening at leisure and overnight. (Depending on your flight’s schedule, you can return to Milan by late afternoon train). Day 5: Departure Breakfast, check out. Free time at leisure for the last stroll. Return to Milan by train or reserve a private transfer to Milan airport.