📍 Stop 1: June 28 – July 5 | Lenno (Tremezzina), Lake Como, Italy

🏛️ Focus Site: Villa del Balbianello - the extraordinary villa featured in Star Wars and James Bond films, with stunning gardens cascading to the lake.

A lakeside villa from the 1700s that most people recognize from Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and a James Bond film. The terraced gardens spill down toward Lake Como and the boat dock is one of the most photographed spots on the lake. Kids love exploring the paths and spotting film locations.

Approach: Short walk from your Airbnb to the villa entrance.
🏛️ Official Site | 📍 Google Maps

🚶 Afternoon Exploration: Wander the villa's extensive gardens and lakefront terraces with panoramic views.
Area activities: Boat watching and lakeside relaxation near the villa.

🏛️ Focus Site: Bellagio - Lake Como's most famous village, called the "Pearl of the Lake" with colorful facades and luxury gardens.

The famous "Pearl of Lake Como" sits at the point where the lake's three branches meet. Steep alleys, gelato shops, and waterfront promenades make it feel like a movie set — because it basically is. The ferry ride over is half the fun.

Approach: Scenic ferry ride from Lenno to Bellagio (15-20 minutes by boat).
🏛️ Bellagio Info | 🚢 Ferry Schedule | 📍 Google Maps

🚶 Afternoon Exploration: Wander Bellagio's narrow streets, visit the Romanesque church, and stroll the famous lakefront promenade.
Area activities: Visit Villa Melzi gardens nearby and enjoy gelato from local artisans.

🏛️ Focus Site: Villa Carlotta - extraordinary botanical gardens with exotic plants, sculptures, and lake views.

A 17th-century villa turned botanical wonderland with 20 acres of gardens, exotic plants, and sculptures overlooking the lake. The rhododendron and azalea blooms in late spring are spectacular, but even in summer the shaded paths are a cool escape.

Approach: Short ferry ride to Tremezzo (10 minutes), then 15-minute walk uphill to the villa.
🏛️ Official Site | 📍 Google Maps

🚶 Afternoon Exploration: Explore the villa's extensive gardens, greenhouses, and neoclassical architecture.
Area activities: Return by ferry and walk along the Tremezzo waterfront promenade.

🏛️ Focus Site: Varenna - picturesque cliffside village with medieval castles, colorful houses, and stunning lake views.

A romantic cliffside village on the lake's eastern shore — colorful houses, narrow stair-streets, and the ruined Castello di Vezio with resident falcons. It feels quieter and more local than Bellagio, with excellent lake swimming spots.

Approach: Ferry from Lenno to Varenna (10-15 minutes across the lake).
🏛️ Tourism Site | 📍 Google Maps

🚶 Afternoon Exploration: Visit the Castello di Vezio ruins, walk Varenna's steep streets, then continue to Villa Monastero gardens in nearby Lierna (boat or short drive).
Area activities: Lido di Varenna beach and the Villa Monastero lakeside paths.
🏞️ Villa Monastero | 📍 Google Maps

🏔️ Focus Site: Isola Comacina — Lake Como's only island, reached by ferry with ruins, woodland paths, and lake swimming spots.

A wooded island in the middle of Lake Como — ferry over from Sala Comacina, then explore stone ruins, shady paths, and pebble coves. Feels like a mini adventure: boat ride, island to roam, and optional swim before the return crossing. Much more fun for kids than chapel-hopping on a hillside.

Approach: Drive to Sala Comacina (15 minutes), ferry to the island (runs regularly in summer), then walk the circular island path.
🏝️ Island Info | 📍 Isola Comacina | 📍 Ferry (Sala Comacina)

🚶 Afternoon Exploration: Explore island ruins and woodland paths, swim from the pebble shore if the water's warm, ferry back to Sala Comacina.
Area activities: Short waterfront walk in Sala Comacina before driving home.

🏊 Focus Site: Spiaggia di Lenno — pebble beach on Lake Como with clear water, diving platforms, and paddleboard rentals.

Lenno's public lido is one of the best swimming spots on Lake Como's western shore — pebble beach, diving boards, and that improbably clear alpine water. Rent paddleboards on site or just swim and sunbathe. A proper lazy lake day when you don't want another villa or museum.

Approach: Walk from your Airbnb to the lido (10 minutes along the shore road).
📍 Google Maps

🚶 Afternoon Walk: Forest trails around Tremezzina (2-3 hours). Wooded paths with wildlife viewing opportunities.
📍 Google Maps

🏛️ Morning Sightseeing: Visit the Lenno public navigation pier and watch the ferry activity.
📍 Google Maps

🚶 Afternoon Walk: Final Greenway walk - reflect on the week while enjoying the lake views (2 hours).
📍 Google Maps

🏛️ Morning Sightseeing: Final stroll along Lenno's lakefront promenade before the drive to Wildhaus.
📍 Google Maps