Boat Tour 2 hours - Pick up from Lecco

1. Departure from the gulf: the skyline of Lecco and the "Matitone"

Once the mooring lines are cast off, the boat heads for open water, immediately offering an overall view of the whole city nestled between the mountains:

The perspective from the lake: Standing out above all is the unmistakable bell tower of the Basilica of San Nicolò, which the people of Lecco call the "Matitone" (the Pencil).

The history from on board: With its dizzying 96-metre neo-Gothic height and its octagonal spire, it is one of the tallest bell towers in Italy. From the bow you can clearly make out its imposing stone base: it rises on the foundations of an ancient tower of the fortified Sforza walls of the fifteenth century, built to defend the port and the city.

2. Along the coast to the west: the Malgrate lakeside and its Rocca

Turning to port, the route brushes the western shore, a few metres from the lakefront of Malgrate:

The view from the water: Elegant nineteenth-century facades and the lakeside promenade glide past at water level. Looking up towards the promontory towering over the houses, you can make out the austere silhouette of the Rocca di Malgrate (or Castello Recalcati): a medieval stone sentinel that once watched over the contested passages between the Dukes of Milan and the alpine valleys.

3. The cliffs and depths of the Moregallo

Sailing north-west, the urban landscape suddenly gives way to the wildest nature:

The thrill of the sheer rock: The boat skims the vertiginous limestone walls of the Moregallo, which plunge vertically into the dark waters of the lake for hundreds of metres. It is an impressive spectacle from the deck: these overhanging walls, a paradise for climbers, hide beneath the hull depths famous among divers from all over Europe for wreck dives.

4. Up the western shore: Onno, Vassena and the charm of Pescallo

Keeping close to the shore towards the tip of the Larian triangle:

The villages of Onno and Vassena: They file past our eyes like old postcards: clusters of stone houses squeezed between the lake and the woods, testimony to a rural and timeless Lario.

The cove of Pescallo: Before doubling round the promontory, the boat glides slowly into the sheltered bay of Pescallo. Seen from the water, this hamlet offers one of the most poetic glimpses of the journey: an ancient fishing harbour dotted with sailing boats, with tree-lined flights of steps and ivy-covered houses gently mirrored in the flat water of the gulf.

5. The Pearl of the Lario: Bellagio seen from the water

Having reached the watershed promontory that divides the lake into its two branches, the majesty of mid-lake opens up:

The postcard of Bellagio: Without mooring, we enjoy the most celebrated and most photographed view in the world: the scenery of the grand stairways rising towards the village, the pastel facades of the historic grand hotels of the Belle Époque and, dominating the top of the wooded promontory, the imposing silhouette of Villa Serbelloni.

6. The great crossing towards Varenna: castle, cliffs and monumental villas

We point the bow east, cutting across the wide central waters towards the eastern shore:

The village of Varenna: The approach by boat is spectacular: the fishermen's houses form a palette of vivid colours right at the water's edge, with the famous red "Walk of Lovers" footbridge suspended over the water.

The Castle of Vezio above: Looking up above the rooftops of Varenna, perched on a high isolated crag, the Castle of Vezio stands out, a most ancient military outpost whose origins date back to the Lombard era and the legend of Queen Theodolinda.

The historic villas at the water's edge: Gliding slowly along the shore we admire from below the terraced gardens of Villa Cipressi and, immediately after, the astonishing lakefront of Villa Monastero: almost two kilometres of loggias, classical statues, neoclassical balustrades and centuries-old cypresses that seem to plunge literally into the water.

7. Course south: Lierna, the beach and the enigma of Villa Aurelia

With our course reversed towards the Lecco branch, we cruise along the eastern shore:

Lierna and the Riva Bianca peninsula: From offshore we admire the famous crescent-shaped cove with its expanse of white pebbles and the remains of the ancient medieval fort right at the water's edge.

Villa Aurelia and the gossip about George Clooney: A little further on, Villa Aurelia stands out amid the dense vegetation, a sumptuous eclectic residence in Art Nouveau style with terraces and a private stone boathouse. From the deck of the boat you grasp its exclusive charm in full: the chronicles tell that George Clooney was so enchanted by it that he made a princely offer (rumour spoke of over 100 million dollars) to buy it, only to receive a firm refusal from the historic owners, determined to preserve the quiet of this jewel of the Lecco area.

8. Mandello del Lario and the clear waters of Abbadia

Continuing southwards with the majestic backdrop of the Grigne behind us:

Mandello del Lario: Legendary home of Moto Guzzi, it reveals itself from the lake through its graceful historic harbour, dominated by a squat medieval watchtower and tree-lined quays.

The beaches of Abbadia Lariana: Here the rocky coast fades into long shores of light gravel where the water takes on transparent, evocative emerald tones, animated by sails pushed by the afternoon breeze.

9. The grand finale: San Nicolò's blessing from the lake

As we throttle down for the final approach to the Lecco basin:

The Patron Saint upon the waters: Before ending the tour, the boat approaches the punta della Maddalena to admire a unique monument: the great gilded bronze statue of San Nicolò, patron of Lecco and protector of sailors and boatmen. Erected at water level on an emerging rock, the sacred figure greets with open arms those returning from their cruise, offering the last memorable photograph of this lake cruise.

Our boat can carry up to 6 people plus the captain (the price does not change based on the number of people).