Lake Como and The Bernina Express

Meet the group at the airport and board our flight to Milan

Upon our arrival in Bergamo, Milan we will transfer to the Hotel Centrale Bellagio which is located in the historical centre of the town and dates back to 1922.  Breakfast is included which can be eaten on the veranda overlooking the hotel garden.

Throughout the tour we will be staying in twin rooms but there is an option to have a room to yourself for the trip. If you wish to have a double room to yourself for the 4 nights the  supplement will be £320  If you wish to have a single room to yourself for the 4 nights the supplement will be £200 ( please note that there are only 3 of these available) we will contact you to let you know if your preference is still available as these will be sold on a first come first served basis. The supplement will be payable at the same time as the balance.     

The Travel Buddies trips work on the basis that as long as you are having a good time then that is what matters, if you don’t feel like coming on one of the excursions or joining the rest of the group for dinner one evening then that is absolutely fine. This is an adventure for everyone and there is nothing worse than having to go somewhere/do something that you don’t really fancy!

Feel free to do as much or as little research as you like, some members will know what they would like to visit as soon as they book the trip, Others will just turn up at the airport and have not researched at all. Either is absolutely fine. We all have different ideas as to what constitutes a great time away! 

Here’s our suggested itinerary for today but don’t forget, you get to choose exactly how you wish to spend your time.

Today we can stay local and just take time to unwind and explore picturesque Bellagio.  With a stroll through the stunning gardens of Villa Melzi.You can spend hours here wandering through the tranquil, lush botanical gardens that stretch along the lake, offering picturesque views and a refreshing escape.  Not forgetting the old town, exploring the iconic, steep cobblestone streets, known as “salita”, discovering boutique shops and hidden courtyards as we climb towards the heart of the village.  

No doubt there will be time for lunch at a lakeside trattoria after which we will take a leisurely stroll to the quiet, picturesque fishing hamlet of Pescallo.  We will conclude our perfect day at the very tip of the peninsula, Punta Spartivento, with a glass of local wine, watching the three arms of Lake Como converge as the evening light fades.  

Of course, you may prefer a far more active day and take in a swim or a row on the lake rather than being alongside it.  The choice is yours.

Dinner locally.

Today we embark on an incredible journey including the Bernina Express,

We will start by taking a ferry from Bellagio to Varenna – approx 15 mins.  From Varenna, we will make the 10 minute walk to the train station (stairs along the way) and take the train to Tirano.  This journey takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.  We shall then board the spectacular Bernina Express which is a travel experience in a class all of its own.

The route takes us through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges, including the famous Brusio Spiral Viaduct, catching sight of glaciers and lakes until we wind up in the famous, chic resort of St Moritz in Switzerland.  Following a stopover in St Moritz we shall follow the same route all the way back to Bellagio.  What an incredible day to remember.

Ferry Day: Verenna & Menaggio  “The Golden Triangle”

We will take a short scenic ferry ride across the water to Varenna and stroll along the Passeggiata degli Innamorati (Lover’s Walk), a beautiful red-tiled path clinging to the rock face, leading us to the pastel-coloured harbour.

We can explore the exquisite terraced gardens and museum of Villa Monastero (or the equally stunning Villa Cipressi).

No doubt we shall find somewhere to take it all in with a coffee and a delicious pastry.  Afterwards, we can take another ferry across to Menaggio, the more bustling and local-feeling of the two towns.  Here, we can enjoy a leisurely lunch right on the wide, sunny lakefront promenade, taking in the magnificent views back toward Bellagio.

We can spend the afternoon wandering the peaceful, winding streets of Menaggio’s historic center before taking the quick ferry back to Bellagio, perfectly timed (we hope) to catch the sunset from the water.

As with any “free” day, you may have alternative ideas of how to spend your time and if you want that time to yourself, that’s perfectly okay.

Dinner will be booked for the group locally.

Today, after breakfast,we can sip one last espresso before we check out and take our private transfer back to Milan Bergamo airport for our return flight to Birmingham airport. Unless you choose to stay another night or two in Milan. That’s the beauty of travelling with Travel Buddies, you can always extend your holiday!