The Wayfarer's Path, Other Side of Lake Como - 6 days

The Eastern branch of Lake Como: a lesser known side of the most famous Italian lake is currently in the midst of a new and well-deserved renaissance, the catalyst of which has been the development and promotion of our new trip  “Sentiero del Viandante” - the Wayfarer’s path.

We begin in Lecco, well-known by Italians for being the setting of one of the best known epic of Italian literature, Alessandro Manzoni’s “The Betrothed”. Effortlessly charming, Lecco boasts beautiful lakeside piazzas and a breezy waterfront, perfect for strolling and having part of your ice cream stolen by curious ducks and swans – a pleasure Como has somehow lost.  

Then the trip continues northwards along the coast, to beautiful Varenna, a pastel-colored village adorned with flowery terraces, lush gardens and a charming, vine-covered walkway fittingly called “the lovers’ walk”- and what’s more romantic than walking  along the lake, surrounded by picture-perfect mountains?  

On our way the mysterious Castle of Vezio, dominating the lake, offers one of the most beautiful views of the region: the two branches of the lake conjoining in a glistening expanse of fresh water – sweet water in Italian, akuaduulza in the local “laghee” dialect, – with Bellagio sitting at the crux of the inverted Y that forms Lake Como. 

We then head back South to Colico, and home to a perfectly preserved lakeside WWI fort, once protection against a possible armed attack originating from Germany or Austria-Hungary via Switzerland and today a valuable memento open to public. 

Six days to grasp the beauty and potential of an often over-looked northern lakeside heaven, the perfect complement to a brand new trip to northern Italy and a surprising, more genuine take on a well-known destination – the pristine and spontaneous side to Italy’s most lavish lake.