Favorite Guided Tours/Unique Experiences- Venice, Milan & Lake Como Area

You can hire a private boat ride out of Bellagio. Make sure you stop at Villa Balbianello for stunning views back to Bellagio. Look at this company:icbellgio.com, for tours, boats .
We have always used the ferries to explore Lake Como, from one end to the other. Fun, relaxing.

When we were in Varenna in 2016, we did a cookery class at Il Caminetto. ilcaminettoonline.com

The restaurant, il Caminetto, is located in the hills above Varenna. Chef Moreno or his wife will come down to Varenna to pick up at at your hotel, or at the dock and take you up to their restaurant / B & B. Many other forum members have taken the class, as well.

He runs the cooking class several days week, but I couldn't fine the days online. When we did it, it was €60 each. There are about 10-12 people in the class. It's mostly a demonstration, the hands on part comes in making tortelloni. The wine or other beverages flow freely, and cheese platters are abundant.

When all is done, you enjoy a delicious meal that has been prepared before your eyes.

Il Caminetto is a restaurant in the evening, and they will pick you up for dinner, also.

Under "Contacts" the is a place to email them.

I agree on il Caminetto. My wife and I will be going again this fall. If staying in Varenna, I recommend TaxiBoat Varenna. They have several group tours that fit your budget as well as some pricey private tours. We usually take one every trip there. The captain's are well informed and the boats are very nice. I highly recommend.

hey hey colleen
how many days are you staying in each city?
VENICE:
eatwith.com
enter venice and see what is available for you
schezzini.it
alessandro is a local that does a cicchetti bar crawl. takes you to couple stand up bars with small bites, wine and talks about the history of venice. you need to email him ([email protected]) to ask questions and schedule tour
streaty.com
food and street tours of venice
cookly.me
look and see if something interests you
withlocals.com/ venice or milan
many different tours to check out
isacookinpadua.altervista.org
look at cooking classes. a train ride from venice
cookingclassesinmilan.com
so much to choose from, enjoy researching and have a great time
aloha

awesome! thanks so much everyone! these are some suggestions that I haven't seen in internet searches so this is great.
I love all the food suggestions. You can learns much though food.

to answer the question we will be 4 days in Venice, 3 days lake Como, and 4 days in Milan.

also if anyone has suggestions of tour in Murano and Burano I'd be interested in that too.

I just found this site: cityunscripted.com. Looks pretty cool and we may try them for Venice. Also found an Airbnb experience that is a glass-making class.

Secret Itineraries tour of Doges Palace was terrific
https://palazzoducale.visitmuve.it/en/pianifica-la-tua-visita/special-itineraries/secret-itineraries-tour/

Alessandro’s cicchetti tour lots of fun

Both are budget friendly and the cicchetti tour serves as dinner

Hi Colleen, I will be in Venice in June and have booked a tour "Gems of Lagoon Murano Burano Torcello" on airbnb...with Andrea a true Venetian....it's $55 from 9 am to 2 pm.....so far, I'm the only person on the boat!