1. Northern Italy: Lake Como, 7 day in Bellagio and the central lake.

Day 1

Arrive in your base, a charming town on the shores of the lake. Regular fast trains run from Milano Centrale to Como city and fast ferries run regularly from Como city to your starting destination.  They take take approximately 1 hour.

Day 2

This morning you'll take a lakeside walk heading north along the western shore towards Switzerland.  Starting with a steep climb up to a ruined castle, the path levels out, passing through forests and villages, following a stone medieval path that winds above the lake with breathtaking views over the lake and the mountains on the eastern shore.  The walk finishes in a pretty lake side town, where you'll be able to have lunch and get either a train or ferry back to your base.  It's possible to shorten the walk by breaking at an earlier village and taking the train or ferry  back to your base from here.  (4 hrs; 10 kms; min: 211 mts; max: 424 mts)

Day 3

Today is a free day to enjoy the lake.  We will provide you with details (opening information, ferry timetables etc) to visit two of the finest villas and gardens on the lake that can be easily reached by beautiful short ferry rides (25 minutes).  The first villa was built in the 17th century and hosted Napoleon but is most famous for its spectacular lawns and rhododendron gardens.  The second (2 ferry stops further on) is on the tip of forested promontory surrounded by English gardens and enormous views up and down the lake - it was built around a 14th century abbey and is famous for the extraordinary collections of its last owner, a man of great wealth who was also the first Italian to climb Mt Everest.  It is a very pleasant 45 minute ferry ride back to your base from here.

Please note that we have included an additional walk that starts from the other side of the lake (regular ferries run to the start) that can be combined with the villa visits or is an alternative.  This walk involves a sustained (but graded) climb up to a charming church with spectacular views over the lake. The walk can be shortened. (3.5 hours; 9 kms; min: 210 mts, max: 880 mts)

Day 4

Today's walk is a loop walk up into the mountains on the eastern side of the lake   This spectacular walk follows old smugglers paths and takes you up into oak forests that open on to farmlands and orchards filled with grazing cows with bells, with breath-taking views across Lake Lugano.  You take an ancient cobbled path back down to the lake where you started from.  (4 hrs; 12.5 kms; min: 204 mts, max: 512 mts)

Day 5

Transfer to Bellagio, a short ferry ride across the lake (your bags will be privately driven there) your base for the next two nights.  In the afternoon you can do an interesting walk takes you around the Bellagio promontory visiting the two branches of the lake, passing through fishing villages and past handsome  8th and 19th century villas before returning to Bellagio, finishing at the beautiful gardens of Villa Melzi that graces the edge of the town.  (1.5 hrs; 4 kms; min: 199 mts, max: 247 mts)

Day 6

Today you do a loop walk around Mont San Primo, the mountain that forms the backdrop behind Bellagio and from where you'll enjoy the best and most extensive views of Lake Como.  You'll be taken up to the start of the walk by taxi and picked up again at the same point at the end of the walk.  (3 hrs; 7 kms; min: 1111 mts, max: 1662 mts)

It is possible to do a shorter version of the walk and avoid the steep climb to the top of the mountain.

Day 7

After breakfast at 08.00 you will be transferred to Como railway station which has national and international rail links (08.00 seems to suit for the trains from Como, arriving a bit before 09.00).  The time can be changed if you prefer.  Please note that transfers to Malpensa airport can also be arranged (for an additional cost to confirm).