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Small Group

Italian Lakes Walking

Follow enchanting lakeside trails

6 Days, 5 Nights

Maximum Group Size

16

Activity Level:

B&R Activity Levels

Priced per person from

$7,995 USD

Single Supplement: $2,500 USD

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Carbon Neutral Trip

Italy’s lakes: where nature shamelessly shows off, truffles beg to be found, and villa-hopping by speedboat feels totally reasonable. Wander Lake Como’s garden-lined shores, scale castles with postcard views, and savour lakeside meals with Alice, our favourite local foodie. Swim crystal-clear Mergozzo, hunt for truffles with a seasoned tartufaio (and his adorable dog), and unwind each night in style.

Unforgettable Experiences
Between private boat tours, truffle hunting and meals prepared by private chefs, this adventure is the perfect blend of luxurious and authentic experiences.

Great Walks
Traverse along picturesque lakeside trails, with breathtaking mountain vistas around every turn.

Local Connections
Gain insider knowledge about the region’s rich history and culture from our local guides and friends.
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Preview the itinerary

No two trips are ever the same, but this will give you a taste of what your journey will be like.

Day 1

Our journey begins in the beautiful Garden of Villa Melzi—renowned for its lush greenery and serene ambiance. We’ll then begin walking to the charming town of Bellagio for a wine tasting and lunch. Then, opt for a private boat ride or continue hiking to the hotel before we dine at our friend Alice’s restaurant for dinner.

Activity:

7 km (4 mi.) Villa Melzi to San Giovanni via Bellagio | Elevation gain: 135 m (400 ft.)

Optional walk | 5 km (4 mi.) | Elevation gain: 340 m (1,000 ft.)

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Day 2

We’ll be whisked off on a private boat ride from the hotel to Bellano to begin our walk. Reach the Castello di Vezio, a hilltop castle offering breathtaking views of Lake Como below. This evening, we’re back on our speedboat for a scenic cruise through Lake Como’s stunning branch, then we’ll return to the hotel for a fabulous dinner.  

Activity:

7 km (4 mi.) Route from Bellano to Varenna via Castello di Vezio | Elevation gain: 270 m (860 ft.) 

Optional walk | 6 km (3 mi.) | Elevation gain: 200 m (600 ft.) 

Optional walk | 4 km (2 mi.) | Elevation gain: 278 m (780 ft.) 

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Day 3

Embark on a scenic route from Naggio to La Rotonda, wandering through breathtaking mountains and forests, with views of Lake Lugano and Lake Piano in the distance. On the way, we’ll be joined by Nicholas and his dogs for a truffle hunting demonstration before dining at Daniele’s Pizzeria for lunch. Tonight, we’ll enjoy cocktails and dinner at the hotel’s incredible restaurant.

Activity:

8 km (5 mi.) walk from Naggio to La Rotonda | Elevation gain: 211 m (692 ft.) 

Optional walk | 2 km (1 mi.) | Elevation gain: 40 m (120 ft.)

Optional walk | 3 km (2 mi.) | Elevation gain: 278 m (780 ft.)

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Day 4

Set off from Carmine Inferiore to Cannero along the captivating Sentiero delle Genti trail. Then, we’ll be joined by our friend Sergio for a boat ride across the lake. This afternoon, we’ll be led to Isola Bella—one of the most enchanting places on Lake Maggiore—for a tour of the botanical marvel. This evening, you’ll explore Stresa on your own.

Activity:

6 km (3 mi.) route from Carmine Inferiore to Cannero | Elevation gain: 174 m (550 ft.)

Optional walk | 3 km (2 mi.) | Elevation gain: 49 m (150 ft.) 

Optional walk | 7 km (4 mi) | Elevation gain: 334 m (1,075 ft.) 

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Day 5

Our walk begins in the charming hamlet of Cavendone, following a trail through the woods until we reach Lake Mergozzo. Here, we’ll indulge in a cheese and wine tasting of regional specialties before enjoying a refreshing dip in the lake or continuing to walk to Mt. Orfano. This evening, we’ll dine in the private residence of Javari and Angelica and raise our glass to an incredible week.

Activity:

8 km (5 mi.) Sentiero Azzurro: Fondotoce to Casa Della Capra | Elevation gain: 119 m (360 ft.) 

Optional walk | 4 km (2 mi.) | Elevation gain: 124 m (366 ft.) 

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Day 6

After one final breakfast, it's time to say arrivederci

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Rendezvous

Airport City: Milan

Trip Start: Hilton Lake Como

Time: 9:00am

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Farewell

Airport City: Milan

Trip End: Malpensa Airport or Milan Centrale train station

Time: 1:00pm & 1:30pm

* Itineraries are subject to change. Please confirm exact Trip Start and Trip End locations upon booking.

Featured stays

Itinerary

Grand Hotel Victoria

Location: Menaggio, Italy

Itinerary

Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola

Location: Lugano, Switzerland

Itinerary

Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees & Spa

Location: Stresa, Italy

Dates & availability

Dates
Price

per person, double occupancy

+$NaN USD single supplement

Join

Join a group of up to 16 like-minded travellers.

Privatize

8+ people

Pricing depends on group size

Detailed Itinerary

Uniquely tailored for each date

Can't find your dates?
Get in touch to craft a Bespoke itinerary or request an additional date to Privatize.

What's included

Accommodation & dining

All breakfasts, lunches and dinners as indicated on the itinerary.

All accommodation as indicated on the itinerary.

Thoughtfully selected local wines, beers, cocktails or non-alcoholic beverages with all meals.

Active essentials

Use of two lightweight, telescoping walking sticks and a backpack.

A reusable B&R water bottle.

Detailed GPS routes available via RideWithGPS

Guided services & gratuities

Services of B&R guide(s).

All special events, private tours, guest experts and entrance fees.

All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel services.

Transportation & logistics

Transportation from pick up to drop off.

Baggage transportation.

Van support where trails permit.

What's Not Included: International flights, travel protection, gratuity for your B&R guides.

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This trip is carbon neutral. Learn more about our Sustainability commitment.

The attention to detail, knowledge of the area and connections to locals were the best.

Butterfield & Robinson exceeded all expectations. The planning, walks, hotels, lunches, dinners, transportation—all were perfect. The attention to detail, knowledge of the area and connections to locals were the best.

— Karla K; Schofield, WI

Experience Designer

Good to know

Terrain
Terrain

The Italian Lakes offers diverse terrain which can include paved roads and forest trails. We recommend familiarity hiking in these conditions.

Motion/sea sickness
Motion/sea sickness

If you suffer from motion/sea sickness, be prepared as there are some private boat transfers.

Packing
Packing

To comfortably walk the Italian Lakes, we recommend packing sturdy hiking books with good ankle support.

Why choose a Small Group trip?

An Effortless Journey

Our expert Experience Designers are perfectionists, using first-hand knowledge of routes, restaurants and hotels to create an unforgettable experience. This means all the planning is taken care of for you. All you need to do is enjoy.


Active Exploration

From emerging destinations to iconic sights, B&R trips show you the world in a new way on our expertly developed cycling, walking and hiking routes. Travelling through historic villages and romantic vineyards and up to striking viewpoints, our routes offer a variety of challenges for every activity level.


Friends for Life

Your fellow travellers are as passionate and curious about the world as you are, which means the conversations and laughs will be as free flowing as your drink of choice. Don't be surprised if your group starts planning a reunion before the trip is done.


Room for Surprises

We love a plan, but we adore a spontaneous moment even more. Whether it’s an impromptu al fresco meal or a moon-lit musical performance, our advice is to expect the unexpected.

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