Bellagio - Lake Como boat trip - Varenna - Bergamo

Route: Milan - Bellagio - Lake Como boat trip - Varenna - Bergamo - Milan
Duration: 11 h
Our first stop in this tour we will make at the Como lake in Bellagio  which is a pearl of the lake  and is one of the most beautiful places in the region of Lombardy. Bellagio is located halfway between the two southernmost branches of the lake, and is famous worldwide for its beautiful villas overlooking the water (like Villa Serbelloni or Villa Melzi). Most of the attractions are located within walking distance and the tiny streets of Bellagio are so pretty that you have to see it. The old town center of Bellagio has one main road, Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, which gets to Punta Spartivento (tip of the village) in less than 10 minutes. Via Giuseppe Garibaldi is populated by dozens of shops and boutiques where visitors can find local food, leather goods, clothing, perfumes, and much more. In the town center, you can get to Piazza della Chiesa and admire the Basilica of San Giacomo, a Romanesque church built between the 11th and 12th centuries. There we will sit at the local boat and swim just 15 minutes reach the right side of the Lake Como a picturesque and traditional village Varenna. Varenna is located on the eastern shore of Lake Como and is an essential stop for anyone wishing to visit one of the most typical and quite towns of the lake. During our visit you will see the Piazza San Giorgio, the town center of Varenna, is home to the Church of San Giorgio. The church was built in the 14th century in a style somewhere between Romanesque and Gothic, and hosts many paintings from the late 15th and 16th century, also you will see the solid pavement, entirely made of local marble. There you can walk toward the lake and along the narrow streets branching off from Piazza San Giorgio. In a narrow alley called Contrada dei Sarti, right in the town center of Varenna, you will have the chance to come across Pelletteria Denti, a very typical leather shop where you can buy something special to take home (leather wallets, belts and purses are all made in Italy!). Then, walk among the colorful houses that brighten the village and get to Riva Grande, the charming lake promenade of Varenna. Next we will drive toward the Upper Town of Bergamo the beautiful "Upper" city, surrounded by Venetian walls built in the 16th century, which is a partially hidden gem of Italian cultural and architectural heritage.  Our tour tour will start from Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe; from there you'll walk through medieval streets that have maintained their ancient charm until you reach the Rocca castle. In the past the Rocca represented a defensive structure for the city, but today it's just a wonderful spot from which you can enjoy an unexpected view on the Lower Town and the neighboring valleys.The walk will continue towards Piazza Vecchia, the heart of the Upper Town, surrounded by ancient communal palaces and the imposing civic tower.Once you enter Piazza Duomo, you'll be fascinated by the majestic and unique Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a real jewel of Romanesque art. There you'll also see the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Colleoni Chapel, an outstanding Renaissance building.Walk along Via Corsarola, the main street of the Upper Town, and enjoy the lively atmosphere created by the old and modern shops, restaurants and coffee-houses. Next you will see the charm and beauty of the Cittadella, built by the Visconti family in the XIV century. After free time for exploring of Bergamo we will return to Milan.
Price: per person