Hills, Lakes and Gardens

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FULL DAY ONLY

We will begin in the “downtown” area of Como, A town known as the ‘Queen’ of top quality silk. We will enter the Duomo to admire its majestic architecture, and paintings by Bernardino Luini, the best scholar of Leonardo da Vinci, as well as wall tapestries, and many other works of art. A nice stroll is a must along Como’s medieval streets and squares, where we will find old stores and cafès compared to otherwise trendy boutiques, until we reach the former corn market square. With a view of San Fedele church, we head on to the city gate Porta Torre, the finest example of Romanesque defensive and military architecture. Como is the capital of top silk worldwide, and if it suits your fancy, we can make some shopping time in a few of the beautiful shops.

lago_como2.jpg ThumbnailLake Como’s breath-taking natural beauty, was famous among ancient Romans, who started to build splendid villas on her shores and hills. You can understand why Comos benign climate and lush, subtropical vegetation, was considered the first gateway to the color and life of Italy by the Pilgrims. With it’s history and monuments, it represented a new life, not only for Pilgrims, but for traders and armies who came from beyond the Alps

villa.jpg ThumbnailAfter lunch, the public service line boat from Como to Tremezzo makes it an enjoyable way to visit Villa Carlotta and its splendid botanical gardens. On the way, the boat offers views of incredible 16th, 17th , 18th, 19th, 20th century villas and monuments! For example Villa d’Este, Villa Versace, Villa Oleandra owned by George Clooney, Comacina Island, Villa Balbianello, Villa Rockfeller and SO many other villas belonging to Milanese aristrocracy.

villa2.jpg ThumbnailVilla Carlotta, built by the Clerici family at the end of 17th century, was later purchased by politician and art collector Sommariva and successively owned by princess Charlotte, Marianne of Prussia’s daughter. The villa, thanks to Sommarivas’ neoclassical art collection and refined taste, has become a museum with delicate, sensual and magnificent neoclassical sculptures by great master Canova and his scholars. The botanical gardens, so rich in exotic and rare trees of the Mediterranean, boasts 150 varieties of Azaleas, Rhododendron, 200-year-old trees and 100-year-old camelias and roses.

Prices do not include meals or entrance fees into museums.
Transportation is included.  Pick- up at your Hotel or familiar meeting place.
Reservations will be held with a credit card, and paid in Euro at the time of tour.
You will not be charged for cancellation if made 30 days in advance.

Full Day tour Como and Lake lasts up to 7 hours:
- Price per Couple € 260,00
- 3 people 90,00 € each
- 4 people 80,00 € each
- 5 people and more 60,00 € each

My guests say:

"Doumina gives you an up-close insiders view of the treasures surrounding the enchanted hill town of Cortona. You like olive oil? Meet a farmer who picks his olives, and the man who presses them. Art your thing? Listen to the passionate sermons of her guide, and real-life descendant of Cortona's own Luca Signorelli. Want to eat the way the heartiest Tuscans do? For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you will. Guaranteed."

Tim Stark
Organic farmer/Writer Gourmet & Conde Naste

"...with Doumina, all i needed to do was enjoy myself! It was just amazing!"

Karie Hoffman

Il mio stato