Recommend Unique Experiences Lake Como Area

It’s hilly. Clooney doesn’t live there anymore.

hey hey fulviaw
@Claudia HA HA. if not George Clooney the group can look for madonna, richard branson, sylvester stallone whizzing by in their private speed boats!! for many travelers this is a dream come true and once in a lifetime to all that has been said, seen and movies shot here. be prepared for all the crowds, one of the places always mentioned here for so many to see.
@fulviaw
unique and private experiences doesn't really come to be reasonably priced to me. since you have at least a year to do research few sites to check out if interested. if prices change by next year who knows, because many prices have blown up trying to make a living like everyone else in different countries.
bellagiolakecomo.com/ villas and gardens and click experiences
getyourguide.com/ bellagio
it is a reseller, scroll down to company or activity provider doing tours, check them out and see what they offer
cesarine.com/ bellagio
see what they offer and your decision
takeachef.com/ bellagio
airbnb/experiences/ bellagio
look at what is offered
funicolarecomo.it
the mountain cable car in como for gorgeous views of lake and mountains
earthtrekkers.com
8 amazing things to do in bellagio
fullsuitcase.com/ visit lake como travel tips
couple things to think about:
ask you host/hostess for ideas of personal people she/he knows for cooking classes, taxi tours, train schedules for getting around
if you plan on renting a car, you and all other drivers will need an IDP (aaa.com/IDP.) it is mandatory in italy
we have look at private taxis/shuttles if they do tours around the lake, call or email them for info.
hoping this gets your started on planning and researching your trip. may be too early but do bookmark what interests you and book when you can. that early bird catches the worm. enjoy have fun
aloha

I spent four nights on Lake Como last year at the very beginning of September. Bellagio was very crowded on the day I visited, but I didn't have the awful ferry experiences reported here (very long lines); maybe I was lucky. My suggestion is that you look for opportunities involving private boat transportation. Folks who've done both seem to think the views from the lake are better than the views from the surrounding roads, though a road vehicle will be necessary if you have something like a cooking class up in the hills.

I'm a budget traveler, so I have no experience with high-end sightseeing.

Lake Como is unique in and of itself, you don't need anything but a ferry ticket. You could get a private boat tour, it depends on your idea of reasonably priced.
I do love the idea of someone cooking for you at your villa. And then you will want to explore Bellagio, of course!
Beyond Bellagio, take a ferry to Varenna. It is a beautiful walk from the dock to town. There are gardens to tour, shops, food, views.
Visit the Grand Hotel Tremezzo (across from Bellagio). Inside, the decor is stunning. You can sit and have a cocktail and enjoy the view and ambience. In back there are beautiful gardens to walk in.