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Como, Bellagio & Varenna: Small Group from Milan, Villas Cruise

71 Reviews 4.75 out of 5 stars Based on 71 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 93% of reviewers | Milan, Italy

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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 26 (0) days in advance.

9 hours (approx.)
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Instant confirmation
Offered in: English

Overview

Lake Como is one of Italy's most beautiful corners — but in summer, the wrong timing means hours lost in ferry queues.

This small-group tour (max 15) is planned by a guide who knows exactly when and where the crowds hit, so you reach Varenna in the morning while it's still quiet and explore Bellagio at its best.

On the cruise from Bellagio to Como, you'll see Lake Como's most famous villas from the water — George Clooney's home, Versace's villa, Villa Passalacqua (voted the world's best boutique hotel), and the villas from House of Gucci, The Devil Wears Prada 2, James Bond and Star Wars — as your guide points out the stories behind each one.

In Bellagio you can also visit Villa Melzi, one of the lake's most spectacular gardens (entrance not included, on your own).

Your train and skip-the-line boarding are arranged for you. End your day free to stay for dinner by the lake, ride the funicular up for sunset over Como (on your own), or head back to Milan with your guide.

What's Included

  • Skip-the-line ferry tickets and guaranteed, pre-booked seats on the boat cruise
  • First-class train tickets (Milan ⇆ Lake Como)
  • Radio whispering system (if necessary)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Private luxury wooden boat — available as a private upgrade on request (not part of this tour)
  • Lunch and drinks — your guide will point you to the best lake-view spots in Bellagio
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Piazza Duca d'Aosta
14, 20124 Milano MI, Italy

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free

Varenna

Your first stop, reached in the morning while the village is still calm. Explore Varenna's romantic lakeside "Walk of Lovers," pastel houses, and cobblestone lanes with your guide, then enjoy free time before the crowds arrive. (Optional, on your own: the gardens of Villa Monastero)
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1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Bellagio

The "pearl of Lake Como." Wander its steep stone staircases, elegant gardens, and boutiques with your guide, with free time to explore and enjoy lunch at a lake-view restaurant your guide recommends
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2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Lake Como

Your cruise ends in the lively town of Como. Stroll the historic center with your guide and see the Duomo — the last Gothic cathedral built in Italy — before heading back to Milan, or staying on for dinner by the lake
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2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Villa Carlotta (pass by)

A grand 17th-century villa famous for its terraced botanical gardens and art collection, seen from the water.
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Villa Del Balbianello (pass by)

One of Lake Como's most iconic villas — the film setting for Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and the James Bond film Casino Royale, with dramatic gardens cascading to the lake.
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Villa del Balbiano - Complesso Architettonico di Ossuccio (ante 1778) (pass by)

The opulent palazzo from Ridley Scott's House of Gucci and The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026) — one of the most lavish private estates on the lake.
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Laglio (pass by)

✅ Villa Oleandra George Clooney's celebrated Lake Como home, the villa that helped turn the lake into a global icon.
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Villa Erba (pass by)

A 19th-century estate used in Ocean's Twelve and in the famous Nespresso commercial with George Clooney.
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Villa Passalacqua (pass by)

A spectacular 18th-century villa-turned-hotel, recently crowned among the very best hotels in the world.
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Cernobbio (pass by)

Villa d'Este, Cernobbio A legendary 16th-century estate turned world-famous luxury hotel, set in vast lakeside gardens.
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Orrido Di Nesso (pass by)

A dramatic gorge and waterfall tumbling between the cliffs of Nesso, one of the lake's prettiest villages.
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Villa Le Fontanelle (pass by)

The lavish lakeside villa once owned by fashion designer Gianni Versace, who transformed it into one of the most glamorous private homes on Lake Como.
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Show 11 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Frequently Asked Questions

(8)

Q: Will I get seasick on Como, Bellagio & Varenna: Small Group from Milan, Villas Cruise?

A: If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy. Read more Feb 2023

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-362653P4

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.75
71 reviews

Average 4.75 out of 5 stars based on 71 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
63
4 stars
3
3 stars
1
2 stars
3
1 star
1

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On average, this is booked 26 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Skip-the-line ferry tickets and guaranteed, pre-booked seats on the boat cruise
  • First-class train tickets (Milan ⇆ Lake Como)
  • Radio whispering system (if necessary)
  • ✅ Small group, capped at 15 — never a big bus or a crowd to follow
  • A balanced day: guided touring plus free time to explore on your own
  • Professional, English-speaking local guide with you all day
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Private luxury wooden boat — available as a private upgrade on request (not part of this tour)
  • Lunch and drinks — your guide will point you to the best lake-view spots in Bellagio

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
  • Operated by a business

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Free Cancellation

100% refund
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You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CEST).
  • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

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  • Cool Rewards is a loyalty program operated by Cool Destinations. Rewards may be earned by any eligible person holding a Cool Destinations account, subject to the Cool Destinations customer Terms of Use.

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