Immersive History and Culture Vacation of Lake Como

What to expect on this itinerary
Uncover some of the best of Italy during this 8-day journey that blends Lake Como’s captivating history and culture through exclusive tours and immersive experiences. Italy’s gorgeous Lake Como is filled with breathtaking towns, an intriguing history, and a welcoming culture. Explore the ancient Como Cathedral, traverse the Roman Bridge, and sail around lake Como in the lap of luxury.
Customizable Itinerary
Milan – Visit Milan’s Premier Cathedral
Your amazing journey around Lake Como will immerse you in the history and culture of the area and will begin when you land at Milan’s Malpensa Airport. When you land, a private driver will be waiting to greet and transfer you to your luxurious accommodation in the heart of the city. Once you have had time to settle in and relax, you will be greeted by an expert guide, who will lead you on an afternoon tour of the impressive Milan Cathedral. The Milan Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Italy, and you will feel the grandeur and history that emanates from its walls as you enter.
What's Included:
Como – Introductory Tour of Como
Como – Explore Cernobbio and its Villas
Argegno – Exclusive Tour of the Town of Argegno
Bellagio – Immersive Village Tour of Bellagio
Varenna – Immersive Cultural Tour of Varenna
Gravedona – Indulge in a Tour of Gravedona
Gravedona – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Marvel at incredible views of Milan from the rooftop of its beautiful Cathedra during a private tour
- Explore the ancient Como Cathedral, which is home to many preserved tapestries, during a private tour of Como
- Indulge in visits to two of Cernobbio’s wonderful villas: Villa Bernasconi and Villa Erba
- Traverse Argegno’s age-old Roman Bridge, where you will feel the history and appreciate the scenery around you
- Traverse through the Loppia neighborhood, which is known for the detailed Larian gondolas on display
- Discover the antique furniture and decor of the Casa Museo Museum inside Villa Monastero, which is a gorgeous villa in Varenna
- Witness ancient wall markings that date back to the sixth century in the Church of San Vincenzo in Gravedona
- Sail around Lake Como in luxury boat as you venture from one remarkable destination to the next
Detailed Description
Italy’s Lake Como is steeped in history and surrounded by beauty, making it the ideal destination for an idyllic vacation. Your intriguing 8-day adventure has been customized to immerse you in the culture and history that surrounds Lake Como. Your journey will begin when you land at Milan’s Malpensa Airport, and you will have one night in the captivating city of Milan, which will allow you to discover its gorgeous Cathedral during a private tour. The beautiful, stained-glass windows and breathtaking views from the Cathedral’s rooftop will make your visit extremely memorable, but the following morning, you will set your sights on the towns and villages that surround Lake Como.
A private transfer will lead you to the City of Como, where a guided tour will provide you with an intriguing discovery of this lakeside city. From the 14th-century Como Cathedral to the fascinating Volta Museum, you will explore nearly all of the locales of cultural and historical significance. The following day will feature an exciting excursion to the nearby city of Cernobbio. Cernobbio’s stunning villas, which date back centuries, will immerse you in the luxurious lifestyle of the area.
On the fourth day of the trip, you will leave Como in the background and set sail for your next destination of Argegno. Your guided tour with an expert guide in the afternoon will allow you to experience the history of the village with visits to its age-old church and centuries-old Roman Bridge. An enjoyable cable car ride will also lead you to the nearby village of Pigra, which is located over 2,700 feet above sea level. The sweeping views from this impressive vantage point will be breathtaking, and after a tasty breakfast the following morning, you will continue your travels to Bellagio. The roads of Bellagio exude elegance and history, and you will experience both during an engaging tour of Bellagio’s sites and neighborhoods. During your tour, you will admire the scenic views of Pescallo, Aureggio, and Loppia. After your tour concludes, you will continue to discover all Bellagio has to offer during your one amazing night in the village.
After breakfast the next morning, your boat will cruise across Lake Como to your next waterfront destination of Varenna. Your beautiful surroundings will seem to be taken from a postcard, and you will enjoy every minute of the ride. After you arrive in Varenna and check-in to your luxurious accommodation, you will be greeted by an expert guide, who will lead you on an afternoon tour. The details inside the 14th-century Church of San Giorgio will be gorgeous and intricate, and the impressive botanical garden of Villa Monastero will impress all of your senses. Furthermore, Varenna will be beautifully illuminated under the night sky as you indulge in a delicious dinner and enjoy the rest of your evening in the village.
The following day, you will set sail on your private boat for your final lakeside destination of Gravedona. Your private tour of this magnificent town will be highlighted with visits to some of its ancient churches, and the many age-old details and paintings that you see may be awe-inspiring. The following morning, a private transfer will lead you to Milan’s Malpensa Airport for your return flight. Although you will not want your trip to end, you will return home knowing that you were entirely immersed in the captivating history, culture, and beauty of Lake Como during your unforgettable vacation.
Starting Price
$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 2625 reviews
My husband and I went through Zicasso to plan our honeymoon to Italy and Greece. This was the best decision ever! We worked closely with our travel specialist to plan our trip and she was absolutely phenomenal. This was our first international trip outside of the US, so we were a bit nervous at first! However, our specialist ensured every aspect of the trip was organized and that we were taken care of every step of the way.
The biggest relief was transportation. We did not have to give a second thought as to how we were getting places; we had drivers set up at every destination and for nearly every activity. Also, we had 24/7 support if anything were to go wrong, which gave us peace of mind.
If you are hesitant to use Zicasso for your next trip, I want you to know that I was too, but it was the best decision! We were able to personalize and tailor our trip to our needs without the hassle of dealing with the details.
See more
I was very pleased with the entire planning of the trip. The communication with Zicasso's tour company was excellent. The meals that were pre-arranged by them were fantastic and we probably would not have found them on our own.
See more
Our trip was absolutely amazing! This was the trip of a lifetime. Zicasso and our trip planner were incredible. He was repeatedly helpful, offering personalized attention to our needs. He booked amazing tours for us and seemed to really grasp what we wanted. Everything was incredible.
See more
Zicasso's travel agency planned the trip of our dreams! We spent 10 wonderful days in Italy, and it was the perfect mix of activity and leisure. We loved our accommodations and everything ran seamlessly. All the transfers and reservations were arranged and executed without any issues. Our travel agency was very responsive throughout the planning process and while we were on the trip. I would absolutely recommend their services and feel really grateful for the experience we shared.
See more
The trip of a lifetime–thanks to Zicasso's travel company!
We recently had the absolute best travel experience of our lives, and it’s all thanks to the incredible team at this travel company. Words can hardly capture how grateful we are for the magic they created for our trip to Greece.
We were headed to a friend’s wedding on Paros and trying to plan the logistics ourselves quickly became overwhelming; figuring out how to get there, what to do, and where to stay felt impossible. That’s when my husband found this company and, from the very first interaction, we knew we were in good hands. They took the time to really get to know us, what we enjoy, our travel style, our budget, and how hands-on we wanted them to be.
After a few thoughtful conversations and a video call, they crafted multiple itinerary options tailored exactly to our preferences. In the end, we landed on a perfect blend of history, fun, and relaxation. They even helped us work everything around the wedding, ensuring we didn’t miss a thing.
We started our journey in Athens, landing early in the morning and diving straight into the day. Then came one of the highlights of the trip—meeting our travel agent in person. She met us with the warmest welcome, walked us through our itinerary, personally showed us around the city, and gave amazing recommendations for food and shopping. Her kindness, energy, and passion for hospitality were contagious.
But what truly set this company apart was their level of care and communication. Throughout our entire trip, they were just a WhatsApp message away. They proactively checked in before every activity, sent us all the necessary contacts for transport and tours, and made sure we felt supported every step of the way. Every place we stayed at was breathtaking. From Athens to Paros, Milos, and Naxos, each hotel was more stunning than the last. Immaculate rooms, beachfront views, and hosts that treated us like family. The breakfasts were absolutely mouthwatering and gave us the perfect start to each adventure-filled day.
Beyond the wedding festivities, our itinerary included food tours, temple visits, an unforgettable catamaran tour, and a dreamy sunset cruise. Every single moment felt like a dream. The islands are incredibly safe, perfect for solo travelers or a girls’ getaway, and the views? Just… wow!
And the food! I cannot emphasize this enough: the food was out of this world. Every meal was a delight—fresh, flavorful, authentic, and somehow we left feeling better than when we arrived (even after eating three generous meals a day, with snacks in between!). Pure magic.
I’m already counting the seconds until we can go back. This trip exceeded every expectation we had and gave us memories we’ll treasure forever.
To top off this unforgettable trip, we decided to spend a few days in Rome—and the travel company helped with that too! It was the perfect ending to our adventure. We explored the Vatican, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon. Every site was awe-inspiring and the city’s energy was just electric. Rome was the cherry on top of a journey we will never forget.
To the entire team—thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the most unforgettable adventure of our lives. We wouldn’t dream of traveling to Greece again without you.
See more
My husband and I had utilized the services of Zicasso for prior journeys to Italy, Southeast Asia, and Australia/New Zealand. For our recent trip to Matera and Puglia, I requested an agency located in Italy that specializes in travel to Italy. We selected a company that was on a magazine’s A-list of travel advisors.
Our travel consultant listened to and respected my requests for certain activities (private food, historical and boat tours, wine tastings, cheese making) and types of accommodations (properties that offered a shaded area to relax and read). She also emailed answers to my numerous detail-oriented questions (the curse of having personally worked as a tour guide). She sent a lovely gift to our first hotel and called halfway through our vacation to check in with us. Communication via text with WhatsApp was convenient and used frequently. Most importantly, when we had a problem with one of our accommodations, she followed up (even after our trip had ended) and graciously offered some compensation.
See more





