Lake Como/Varenna

We enjoyed Al Prato & Borgovino restaurants. Heard good things about restaurant in Albergo Milano but didn’t get a chance to try. If you have time, the cooking class with Chef Moreno at Il Caminetto is fun. For cruising the lake we just hopped the ferry, I think it’s 2 hrs or so to Como. There is a faster one that runs occasionally.

We stayed in Varenna at the Hotel Olivedo just opposite the ferry dock. We enjoyed our time there and hope you will, as well.

A ferry cruise from Varenna to Como takes about two hours, or so. The Gelatoria Lariana is very close to the ferry dock in Como and it serves huge portions of outstanding gelato. Highly recommended!

Buon viaggio,

You are in for a wonderful time. We stayed in Hote du Lac in early May. It is lovey. Give our best regards to Tatiana at the desk. She is the best. About the boat tour, go online and find the Varenna taxi boat tours. They tour the mid Lake region of Lake Como. We took the 2 1/2 hour trip that included the guided tour of Villa Balbianello. It was one of the best things we did there. They operate every day but M and W. In my investigations of restaurants, Il Cavatappi ( very small and reservations needed) is recommended by Rick. We didn't eat there as we did more dining at the cafes along the shore rather than on side streets. What we really enjoyed was grabbing a small table at Bar Il Modo, having a light meal, a drink and watching the sunset. Magical!

We have toured every inch of Lake Como by ferry boat.

I will second the Villa de B. suggestion. This tour was a way to get our bearings after first arriving in Lake Como. Later we just took the ferry to the sights we wanted to see more of.