Dramatic Beauty on the Water: A Romantic Escape to the Italian Lakes

Hire an iconic Riva boat to explore Como’s Villages

Rather than driving the famously narrow lakeside roads, hop between Varenna, Menaggio, and Bellagio by private, the most chic and romantic way to explore the lake.

Visit Villa del Balbianello

One of Lake Como’s most photographed landmarks, Villa del Balbianello sits on a wooded promontory with terraced gardens cascading to the water’s edge. Book ahead, it's popular for good reason.

Walk to Punta Spartivento from Bellagio

A short walk along narrow stone paths from Bellagio’s center leads to this quiet tip of the peninsula, where the two arms of Lake Como meet. The views north toward the Alps are completely unrivaled.

Sunset on Lake Garda by boat

A private boat charter from Torri del Benaco is the defining Lake Garda experience, gliding past Scaliger Castle, the cypress-lined peninsula of Punta San Vigilio, and the neo-Gothic splendor of Isola del Garda. Book for late afternoon and stay for the sunset.

Pasta-making and wine tasting at Villa della Torre

An intimate morning at this historic Allegrini estate near Lake Garda: learn to make fresh pasta by hand, tour the villa’s beautiful Renaissance architecture, then sit down to a private lunch paired with estate wines, including their legendary Amarone.

Ride the gondola to Monte Baldo

From Malcesine, a rotating cable car ascends to Monte Baldo with sweeping views over the lake and Alps. At the top, trails of all levels reward those who explore—followed by a mountaintop lunch before descending back to the water.

Explore Sirmione

The medieval Scaliger Castle appears to float on the lake at the tip of Sirmione’s narrow peninsula. Beyond it: Roman ruins, thermal springs, narrow cobbled streets, and some of the lake’s best gelato.

Villa D’Este, Cernobbio—Lake Como

The grande dame of Lake Como hospitality, Villa D’Este offers multiple dining settings, from elegant lakeside terraces to more casual options. Best visited for a long, indulgent lunch—a true bucket-list experience on the water.

Il Gatto Nero, Rovenna—Lake Como

A cult favorite perched above the lake with sweeping views and traditional Lombard cooking at its finest. The kind of place that earns its legendary reputation meal after meal.

Harry’s Bar, Cernobbio—Lake Como

The ideal spot for a pre-dinner Aperol Spritz or a perfectly made Bellini, with the lake glittering below. Relaxed, elegant, and quintessentially Como.

Villa Feltrinelli, Gargnano—Lake Garda

A two-Michelin-star experience housed in a grand 19th-century lakeside villa. Chef Baiocco’s cuisine is precise, seasonal, and grown on-site—dining here feels theatrical and timeless.

Lido 84, Gardone Riviera—Lake Garda

One of Italy’s most talked-about restaurants, with a stunning lakeside setting and Chef Riccardo Camanini’s wildly inventive tasting menus. Destination dining at its most exciting.

Vecchia Malcesine, Malcesine—Lake Garda

A Michelin-starred gem perched above the lake in one of Garda’s prettiest towns. Chef Leandro Luppi’s bold, contemporary dishes showcase lake fish and seasonal ingredients with real artistry.