To admire the beauty of Lake Como, its unspoiled landscapes, its shores dominated by lush greenery, luxurious villas and small towns of rare beauty where tourism, history, art and nature are harmoniously combined, the ideal solution is to do it directly from its waters.

To visit the lake, in the period in which the timetables permit, you can use the ferryboats of “Navigazione Lago di Como”, a way of public transport that allows you to purchase daily tickets with which rise and fall in the locations of your choice in total freedom. The main centers of the lake are also connected to each other by the fastest hydrofoil service; thanks to the ferry then you can carry your own car between Cadenabbia and Bellagio, Bellagio and Varenna, Varenna and Menaggio.

The history of navigation on Lake Como is an ancient tradition, it traces its roots in the classical age and even further. For centuries, every kind of rowing boat and sailing boat has sailed the waters of the lake, carrying goods and passengers from one shore to the other, providing locally links and inserting the lake in the plot of the long-range connections that linked Switzerland to the Po valley. Here, as everywhere, the real revolution came with the steamboat in the early nineteenth century.

Actually, there are about thirty boats, the most recent are the great motor ship Orione (2007) and the much-discussed catamarans. An important feature in terms of history and technology are the old steamboats, sometimes decommissioned and used as floating restaurants. There are still six of them.

A cruise on Lake Como is, without any doubt, the most impressive and exciting way to capture the romantic side of the lake and admire its small and relaxing villages, as well as offering a unique perspective on historical villas, which with their precious botanical gardens, stud the shores of this charming Lake. Navigate the lake is also synonymous with worldliness. During the summer it is possible to live the experience of a night cruise with dinner and live music on board.

Cruises are possible using the typical boats of the Navigazione Lago di Como or modern speedboats of many private rental.

For more information:

Navigazione Lago di Como

Tel. 800 5518 01 – 031 579 211  – www.navigazionelaghi.it

The tourist who is used to travel in complete autonomy and freedom, may decide to rent a boat in one of the many rental centers of private motorboats distributed along the entire lake.

Among the many solutions we can not signal the service of Taxi Boat: the chance to have at their disposal a boat with a driver to admire the beauty of Lake, choosing the preferred route and the length of the journey.

The city of Como is not just a tourist mecca but also an important center of the country’s silk and not event the Chinese who have always been among the largest producers have failed to imitate Como’s silk fabrics.

The story of the golden thread started a long time ago. Silk production began in the Como area around. 1400, mainly thanks to Duke Ludovico Sforza who imposed mulberry tree cultivation to the farmers. This initiative gave him the title of Ludovico il Moro, which comes from the name of the mulberry plant, which in Latin is “bombix mori” and in Como’s dialect “murun”.

Once the worm has stopped growing, it begins to produce a very thin thread in which it wraps itself, creating the cocoon that will turn into butterfly. he last part of the process must be stopped in order to unwind the cocoon and obtain a single thread of about 1500 meters that will be joined with other strings to obtain the right strength. From this moment onwards the transformation of the silk into a fabric begins.

In the nineteenth century the scarf was the largest exported item in Lombardy. Not long after diseases and pests put a stop to production, but the inhabitants began to buy raw silk from the Far East and specialized in the process of production: they soon become skilled textile designers and many dyeing and printing factories rose.

Today the district of Como covers 70% of the European production of silk. 50% of the fabrics produced on Lake Como is exported directly, while 20-25% of the production is purchased by Italian garment from them and then exported under the form of finished product. The scarf which is the only finished product that comes from the Como area, has a percentage of export sales of 75-80%.

Most of the companies in the Como area are small, but although they are traditional local buisnisses they invest continously and are open to technological change, like no other district in Italy. It ‘s a tradition open to the future, able to add new value with a deep knowledge of the rules of the market.

The main country of destination is France, home of luxury. The second is Spain, unfortunately in decline for a long time, and Germany that in 2012 showed rather positive and promising results. Exports are fixed in the United States, while acquiring increasingly importance are China and Hong Kong on one side and Russia on the other, a country that is always in search of a new luxury and more valuable fabrics.

The social and economic importance of silk in Como, is demonstrated by several interesting museums that allow you to learn about this valuable product and the various phases of production, such as the Educational Silk Museum that collects, preserves ad exhibits evidence of Como textile manufacturing tradition with machines, objects, documents, samples and tools from the textile processes that qualify Como city of silk.

The technical and artistic heritage is arranged in an educational space accessible to all.

The basin of Lake Como, is located at an average altitude not suitable for the cultivation of olive trees, however the heat and humidity of the summer months together with the related mild climate in the winter, combined with the fertility of the soils of glacial origin, allow an optimal microclimate to the cultivation of the olive tree.

The cultivation of the olive on the Lake of Como goes back to Roman times as is testified by the presence of olive presses found and many important historical documents.

Over the centuries, the production of olive oil in Lombardy showed ups and downs. In the period of the barbarian invasions olive oil was no longer used, while the cultivation of olive trees became popular again during the Middle Ages thanks to the work of the Benedictine and Cistercian monks.

In 1600, during the Spanish domination a heavy tax on the olive groves was introduced and peopole stopped producing olive oil until the Age of Enlightenment when there was free market and the tax was abolished.

With the advent of the Industrial Era many olive groves were replaced by crops more resistant to frost, typical of the area and the oil of the Lombardy lakes started to occupy a niche market.

In 1997 olive oil obtained from the European Community the DOP. In the last decades, many local people from the area started to get interested in oil producing and in fact passing along the coast by boat or car you can see many terraced gardens with olive groves overlooking the lake.

Today it is estimated that about 40,000 olive trees are cultivated in the provinces of Lake. 50% of those who bring the olives to the mill have them growing in their gardens and 80% of these makes consumption. But it is important to know that the olive oil of Lake Como is very appreciated also because it is certified DOP. Last year an olive oil produced in the village of Perledo was awarded with the “Three Olives”, the maximum acknowledgement of the special Slow Food guide of the extra virgin olive oil.

Olio Extravergine d’oliva Laghi Lombardi is produced in two different geographic areas: Lake Iseo and Lake Como, more precisely in the area called Zoca de l’oli (The valley of oil) that goes from Griante to Sala Comacina on the west coast of Lake Como.

The harvest takes place directly from the tree, generally in the month of November, despite the fact that the Production Regulations give a harvesting deadline of 15 January; the operation can be manual, using the brucatura technique, or mechanical.

Milling of the olives must take place within three days of harvesting.

To obtain a DOP certification, olive oil producers have to follow a quality production and certification process under the control of an Italian body which has received the authorization to provide DOP certifications by the Italian Minister of Agriculture.

Established in April 2011, the Cooperative “Olivicoltori Lake Como” is the result of years of work carried out with competence, passion and continuity from 25 olive growers in the provinces of Como and Lecco, who, are today one of the largest oil producers of Lake Como.

They sell through a network of dealers as well as through the website www.olicoop.it

With the patronage of the provincial administration of Como and the contribution of Region Lombardy, starts this year the seventh edition of LAKE COMO FESTIVAL.

Large calendar of events, divided in 5 thematic sections for many kinds of entertainment,
the LAKE COMO FESTIVAL of this year collects under a single organization the historical Lario Jazz & R’n'B ‘Festival and Sinfolario, next to the more recent Band Festival and Ridilario cabaret.

During the months of July and August will take place the famous Lario Jazz & R’n'B Festival: ever the most awaited summer event, loved and followed by a public increasingly fond and numerous. Lario Jazz &
R’n’B’ Festival brings from years on Lake Como the maximum celebrities of two musical genres: Jazz and Blues. Keep in mind that each event is actually double because the main concert is preceded by performance of an emerging band. The aim of the exhibitions, dedicated to the ‘black music’, but without a real guiding theme, is simple and effective: combine concerts, free and with a good artistic level, to as many locations, chosen among the squares and the most beautiful sights of Lake Como.

Here are the dates:

02 July 2013 – Mamagoose & fiati pesanti – Merone

03 July 2013 – Old Swing Big Band – Canzo

10 July 2013 – Rossana Casale – Gravedona

12 July 2013 – Roy Robert Band – Dongo

18 July 2013 – Cek Deluxe Band – Cadorago

19 July 2013 – Ana Popovic – Lecco

24 July 2013 – Andy Jay Forest – Fino Mornasco

25 July 2013 – Paolo Jannacci trio – Bellano

28 July 2013 – Sugar Blue & American Band – Albese con Cassano

29 July 2013 – Maybe6ix – Dervio

06 August 2013 – Gnola Blues Band – Erba

07 August 2013 – Arhtur Miles & The Blues Shakers – Porlezza

08 August 2013 – Kelly Joice – Domaso

09 August 2013 – Patrizia Laquidara – Lenno

10 August 2013 – East Cost Big Band – Varenna

11 August 2013 – Jaime Dolce & Innersole – Argegno

20 August 2013 – Teca-P – Colico

23 August 2013 – Tony Esposito – Menaggio

There will be also the open-air cinema festival, which will take place in the most beautiful squares on Lake Como. Among the titles “Viaggio sola” by Maria Sole Tognazzi, “Educazione siberiana” by Gabriele Salvatores and “Quartet” by Dustin Hoffman for the first time behind the camera.

A series of events organized specifically to cheer the summer evenings on Lake Como.

The town of Colico is the last of the eastern shore of Lake Como bordering with the provinces of Como and Sondrio. It is an excellent destination for walking, hiking, mountain biking and perfectly situated for water sports around Lake Como and an interesting starting point for exploring the north area of Lake Como, the beautiful Valtellina or Valchiavenna.

It is surrounded by the imposing Monte Legnone (2.609 m), and rises on two hills, called Montecchi , bordering the most important naturale reserve in Lombardy: the Pian di Spagna.

A few kilometers south, near the hamlet of Olgiasca, lies the picturesque Abbey of Piona, where you can visit the beautiful Romanesque church and cloister, and where the Cistercian monks who live in the abbey sell their home made products.

On 14 – 15th and June 16th, 2013 there will be a special festival taking place in Colico,

celebrating the best wines and food specialities of the area, called “La Festa delle Cantine”

The hamlet of Villatico will open its cellar doors to wine and food tastings, there will be music and entertainment along the streets

You will be able to taste 13 different types of wine, 13 typical products of the area, 13 types of local meat and 13 types of local cheese. An event that hasn’t got to be missed.

You will have to buy an entry ticket valid for the whole weekend that will be sold at the gazebo stand in front of the church in the square of Villatico at a cost of 18 Euro.

There will be also possibility of transfer by shuttle bus leaving from the car park next to the tourist office, in Via al Pontile starting from 4 pm.

The cellars will be open Friday and Saturday from 6 pm to 1 am and Sunday from 5.30 pm to 10 pm.

For further information you can contact the tourist office 0039 0341930930 or email turismocolico@libero.it

Wine cellars Festival Colico, two days dedicated to all lovers of wine and local products with a cultural-gastronomic journey. Local products, wines, art and craft.

The connection between the inhabitants of the Northern area around Lecco and Lake Como is very old. With the arrival of the Austrians in Lombardy, an important road was made in order to connect the several villages of the Lake, the Sentiero del Viandante, an old mule track running along the eastern coast of Lake Como, along the first slopes of the mountains.

Once the most important and profitable goods were transported by water, over the lake, while smaller goods were transported by travellers, pilgrims and armies by land.

The first important road of Roman origin passed to history under the name of Strada Regina, that runs all along the western branch of Lake Como, from Como to Sorico and Chiavenna. The second, the Sentiero del Viandante, instead runs along the eastern shore.

The Sentiero del Viandante was once and still is today nothing bigger than a mule track and

was to allow the passage of animals along the eastern shore.

The path starts in Abbadia Lariana at the small Church of St. Martin and ends at the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Val Pozzo in the district of Piantedo.

There were places of rest and refreshment for pilgrims connected to monastic settlements along the route.

The path is 45km long and is therefore preferable to follow it in three or four stages for a total of 16/17 hours.

1) from Abbadia Lariana to Lierna

2) from Lierna to Varenna: there are two paths to choose from, a high one and a low one

3) From Varenna to Dervio

4) from Dervio Sanctuary of the Madonna of Val Pozzo in the district of Piantedo.

It is not a technically difficult walk , only the second stage is a bit difficult because of the difference in height and the characteristics of certain short passages. The route follows mainly beautiful mule tracks or easy paths.

We recommend not to take the path just for the pure exercise of walking, because along the way you will be able to see some interesting monuments. On the way you can see the terraces planted with vines and olive trees, cultivated fields, old cottages as well as churches, fortifications, old well-preserved villages and finally spectacular natural testimonies, such as the Ravine of Bellano, absolutely worth a visit.

The whole path is well marked with several maps along the way. Thanks to the modest heights and excellent exposure of the path, it is walkable in all seasons.

You can also make it in different stages because you can also use the train to come back from each stage. Local trains run every hour and stop at all stations. If instead you choose to walk the whole path you can choose to stop in one of the many bed and breakfast along the way.

The Sentiero del Viandante offers an opportunity to discover the beautiful panoramic views of Lake Como.

Como is one of the most beautiful cities it Italy. Located in Lombardy, it is an industrial and tourist capital of the province with less than 90,000 inhabitants and borders Switzerland and the communes of Lake Como.

For centuries the area was of great tourist attraction, both for the mild climate and the beautiful landscape that was often evoked by Alessandro Manzoni.

The city is rich in outstanding monuments from all periods of its history and is full of fascinating sites to explore on foot.

The most imposing building of the town is Como’s cathedral, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta,

and considered one of the nicest monuments in Northern Italy. The construction works started in 1369 and were finished in 1740. It’s an imposing monument with the dome reaching 75m in height.

Its size is impressive, the dome reaches up to 75 meters in height. The interior has some important tapestries.

The historic town hall, known as the Broletto, was built in Romanesque with Gothic style in 1215 next to the Cathedral as if to symbolize the continuity between civil authority of the bishop and the free power of the town, which extended its control over the territory of the diocese.

Next to the building is the Civic Tower. It has been restored several times and the last restoration took place in 1972 bringing the building to its original state. Today the rooms are used as a hall for exhibitions and conferences.

The building representing a neoclassical temple erected on the lakefront celebrates the life and works of the great physicist Alessandro Volta Como. The Voltian Temple was completed in 1927 to celebrate the 100th death anniversary of the scientist Alessandro Volta.

The Museum hosts a collection of scientific instruments used by the physicist and, on the first floor, personal belongings and various awards received by the scientist.

While visiting Como is it is worth to visit besides the old town center, the villas of the city of Como, and overall Villa Olmo, a neoclassical villa designed to be a summer retreat for the aristocracy, it was named after an elm planted in the middle of the ornate gardens.

The villa hosted many famous people starting from Napoleon, the Italian writer Ugo Foscolo, the warrant officer Radetzsky and Garibaldi.

If boats and hydrofoils are an excellent opportunity to see the city, no better way to visit is to take is the Brunate funicular that connects Brunate to Como to enjoy enchanting views over Lake Como and the Alps.

The 1084m railway has a maximum gradient of 55%, it runs regularly and takes just 7 minutes to reach the small village called also “balcony of the Alps” for the spectacular views over the town, the whole lake, the valley, the Padana plain Monviso and Mount Rosa.

The streets of the town center of Como are lined with craft shops and top design boutiques selling high quality merchandise and silk products.

Not to be missed is a lovely walk on the lakeside promenade (3km) that starts at Villa Olmo.

Planning to get married? Why not decide to organize your wedding on the beautiful shores of Lake Como? You could choose out of the many stunning period villas with a lakeside position and private botanical gardens that can be perfect for your wedding party venue. Choosing to get married at Lake Como means being able to choose among the best and highest quality locations and marvellous landscapes. You can decide to celebrate your wedding on the lake shores, open air or in nice historical palaces and villas.

Lake Como is a top romantic travel destination and a great spot for photography An enjoyable and easy way to get around the lake is to take the ferry giving you a chance to see some of the smaller lakeside towns as well as the spectacular views of the mountains all around you. And this is when many couples decided to get married at Lake Como!

There are many villas with romantic courtyards and gardens for photos where you can celebrate your Civil Wedding Ceremony; religious ceremonies are instead possible only if residents.

Known as the “pearl” of the Lake Como and famous for its great climate, scenery, and unique location in the middle of Lake Como, Bellagio Italy has enchanted artists, writers and guests for centuries.

Built more than one hundred years ago, in Bellagio, the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni offers one of the most enchanting and evocative settings where to spend your wedding day.

The Grand Hall featuring splendid glass chandeliers can seat up to 240 people while for smaller venues there are two restaurants available. Instead if you choose to get married in the summer there is a splendid garden and terrace on the lake.

The city of Como is also a popular destination to get married especially after many Hollywood actors fell in love with the city and its villas. Nowadays it is very fashionable to get married in Italy and for many people it is a dream that comes true.

Americans, English, Germans, and also couples from Saudi Arabia and Japan, more and more couples are deciding to get married in Italy

The testimony of the refinement of taste and harmony is found in the heyday of the historic homes such as.

Lake Como is one of the best venues for your wedding in Italy with its elegant private villas on the lake shore such as Villa D’Este, Villa Melzi, Villa Carlotta, Villa Balbianello and Villa Olmo offering an unforgettable setting for your wedding!

While Larian cuisine predominates the lake, rustic mountain flavors are not lacking, nor are hillside delights.

History has also played a significant role in the culinary traditions of Lake Como, the fact that the great trade routes to Northern Europe were and still are linked to Italy, the frequent opposition to Milan during the clashes that occurred in the past centuries, and more recently the tourist attraction of the lake areas, brought together different gastronomic styles different from other areas in Lombardy.

Unlike the gastronomy tradition of other areas in Lombardy, the cuisine of Lake Como offers a variety of dishes available to satisfy all tastes: cereals like millet, barley, rye and especially buckwheat and chestnut wheat are used a lot; there is a preference of white meat and game.

Lake fish obviously has a place of honor and vegetables are widely represented, as well as wild herbs that enrich the poorest dishes.

Alborelle and lavarello are lake fish used to make fish in carpione. In the area this type of preparation is recorded in early ages (13th century): the term “carpionar” in Italian appeared for the first time in the “Libro de Arte Coquinaria” by Martino da Como, the greatest chef of the century, the century of transition between the Middle Ages and Renaissanc

The carpione was considered a poor dish that assured families something to eat for at least two months after the end of the fishing season.

Once the fish has been washed you need to flour and sauté the fish on both sides in hot oil over low heat; then you need to prepare the marinade: in a sauté pan, beat the oil, add the onions, carrots and celery, herbs and spices. Once the vegetables are soft (not browned), you need to add the wine (20%) and vinegar (70%) and reduce slightly. Then add 10% water, salt and sugar. After about 20 minutes it is ready, you can remove from heat, cool and pour the marinade over the fish fillet.

The Carpione of Lake Como is very particular because of a special aromatic herb that is used, a sort of selvatic thyme that grows on the rocks near the lake in the sun, that is added to the vegetables while cooking.

The Alborella is frequently served as a side dish or a hearty snack because of the vinegar that has a stimulating effect on the taste buds.

The Carpione was at first a technique of conservation of lake water fish, but now is a very popular dish in Lake Como area.

Lake Como is a paradise for cyclists. There are many itineraries that cross the green valleys covered by woods and meadows overlooking the mirror blue waters of the lake.

Old pathways and mule-tracks, where the landscape is uncontaminated and a string of old pathways link the lovely hamlets that make up the territory still holding the old traditions.

Lake Como offers tourists a wide range of bike excursions, daily excursions or ones that can be done in more days. There are plenty of easy low level cycling routes for the whole family but also more challenging ones for the more experienced cyclist.

Most alpine passes care practicable all year round but the spring and autumn are the best times when the weather is not too hot and you can enjoy the annual explosion of autumn colors.

Easier bike routes include the ones in the Pian di Spagna Natural Reserve, in the Northern part of Lake Como and Valtellina where there is a nice cycling route where you can breathe fresh air and enjoy the greenery of the natural landscape.

Overlooking Lake Como and Lecco’s mountains you can find Colle del Ghisallo (754m), a mountain pass road that connects the Valassina road to the upper part of Larian Triangle. Close to the pass is a small church, the sanctuary of the Madonna del Ghisallo.

This hill is an iconic location for cyclists of all ages and categories, both competitive and non-competitive. Its climb has been the decisive or conclusive stage of some of the most renowned races in the history of cycling: from the Giro d’Italia to the Giro di Lombardia and the Coppa Agostini.

The Madonna del Ghisallo has always been appreciated by cyclists and in 1949 it was declared the patroness of cyclists by Pope Pio XII. Since then the walls of this little church began to fill will objects left by cyclists in sign of devotion. For many decades there is between the champions of cycling (mostly Italian, but not limited to) the custom to donate their memorabilia to the Shrine of the Ghisallo: these include for example, bicycles used by Bartali, Coppi and Merckx in their victories in the Tour de France, the special bike used by Moser for the hour record and various mesh pink, yellow and rainbow.

In the nineties these relics were so numerous that wasn’t anymore place in the small church: it was therefore conceived the project of a museum of cycling, to be erected beside the shrine that intended to collect and preserve the biggest and original collection of the world.

Outside there are two statues of two big cyclers Coppi and Bartali and in 2011 the bust of Binda was added.

The museum is devoted to men and women who have used and continue to use the bicycle in everyday life and in sports, but also to all those people whose work involves cycling, competitive racing in particular: athletes, bicycle manufacturers, organizers, sport club directors, journalists and many other people perhaps less known but equally important participants.

To reach the museum there is a series of bends that reminds of the last part of the climb to Ghisallo that gives access to the 5 sections of the permanent exhibition.

The Ghisallo Museum is also creating a library with a collection of the most interesting magazines and volumes regarding cycling.

Events and exhibitions are hosted and promoted by the museum, that also has a store with gadgets and books on cycling.

Opening time:

MARCH AND NOVEMBER

Saturday and Sunday from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm

FROM APRIL 1ST TO OCTOBER 31ST

Tuesday – Thursday from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm

Sunday from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm

Closed on Monday except from June 1st to August 31st.