Boat Tour 3 hours - Pick up from Malgrate

1. Departure from Malgrate: the skyline and the "Matitone"

With the mooring lines cast off, the boat heads into open water in the gulf of Lecco, offering a spectacular head-on view of the town dominated by the Grigne and the Resegone:

From the boat: Standing out above all is the neo-Gothic bell tower of the Basilica of San Nicolò, a full 96 metres tall and nicknamed the "Matitone" (the Pencil) by locals for its pointed octagonal shape. From the bow you can clearly see how its base rests on an ancient circular tower of the fifteenth-century Sforza fortified walls.

2. Along the coast past Malgrate and the cliffs of the Moregallo

We turn west to skirt the western shore:

Malgrate and the Rocca: Elegant lakeside villas file past and, looking up at the wooded promontory, we spot the austere Castello/Rocca di Malgrate, an ancient medieval stronghold of the Recalcati marchesi guarding the valley.

The cliffs of the Moregallo: Leaving civilisation behind, the boat skims the vertiginous limestone walls of the Moregallo plunging sheer into the dark water: an amphitheatre of wild rock, hugely popular with climbers and divers.

3. Heading north: Onno, Vassena and the charm of Pescallo

Continuing up the shore towards the tip of the Larian triangle:

Onno and Vassena: Two picturesque seafaring villages of a bygone age, with clusters of stone houses perched right at the water's edge.

The village and harbour of Pescallo: We glide gently into the sheltered bay of Pescallo, on the eastern side of Bellagio. Seen from the lake it is a gem: an ancient fishermen's refuge with moored sailing boats, ivy-covered stepped alleys and a timeless stillness.

4. Bellagio from the lake and the gardens of Villa Melzi d'Eril

Doubling the promontory towards mid-lake, we enter the realm of the "Pearl of the Lario":

The gardens and residence of Villa Melzi: Before the village, the terraces, Moorish kiosks and neoclassical statues of Villa Melzi file past at water level, framed by exotic plants and century-old azaleas that brush the hull.

Bellagio from the lake: Without stepping ashore, we admire the most photographed view in the world: the monumental central staircase, the Belle Époque grand hotels and the majestic Villa Serbelloni crowning the hill.

5. Crossing mid-lake and the Riviera della Tremezzina

We open the throttle to cut across the basin towards the western Como shore:

The deepest point of the Lario: Sailing towards Tremezzo we cross the waters of the Larian abyss: Lake Como is in fact the deepest lake in Italy (with depths exceeding 410-420 metres between this basin and Argegno).

Grand Hotel Tremezzo: From the lake, the ochre-yellow Art Nouveau facade stands out unmistakably with its famous floating pool, "Water-on-the-Water". A symbol of the Belle Époque inaugurated in 1910, it is one of the favourite destinations of the international jet set: the divine Greta Garbo described it as "that place full of sunshine and happiness" (so much so that the actress mentioned it in the Oscar-winning film Grand Hotel of 1932, and one of its most prestigious suites is named after her); it has also hosted world champions such as Kimi Räikkönen and countless Hollywood stars.

Villa Carlotta: Right next door, we spot the magnificent Baroque stairways, monumental fountains and dense vegetation of a botanical park of over 8 hectares, famous throughout Europe for its scenic spring flowering of rhododendrons and azaleas.

6. Towards the eastern shore: Varenna and its treasures

We cross mid-lake again, pointing the bow east:

Varenna from the lake: With its colourful houses backed against the mountain and its jutting walkway over the water (the "Walk of Lovers"), it offers one of the most romantic glimpses of the whole tour.

The Castle of Vezio: Looking up above the village, on the summit of the rocky spur, the ancient Lombard outpost linked to Queen Theodolinda stands alone.

Villa Cipressi and Villa Monastero: We glide along at reduced speed, close under the shore, to take in the elegance of the terraced gardens of Villa Cipressi and the spectacular lakefront balustrades of Villa Monastero, an ancient Cistercian convent turned patrician villa with almost two kilometres of loggias, statues and cypresses overlooking the water.

7. Down the eastern shore: Lierna, Villa Aurelia and the George Clooney gossip

We begin the return course, cruising along the eastern shore of the Lecco branch:

Lierna and the bay of Riva Bianca: From offshore we admire the characteristic crescent-shaped beach of white pebbles and the promontory of the ancient castle.

Villa Aurelia and the Clooney legend: Amid the vegetation stands out Villa Aurelia (also known as Villa Besana), a sumptuous eclectic residence in Art Nouveau style with a small tower and a monumental stone boathouse. The story goes that George Clooney, enchanted by the beauty and privacy of the Lecco branch, fell head over heels for the estate and went as far as submitting a pharaonic offer (local chronicles spoke of over 100 million dollars), spectacularly rejected by the owners, who preferred to keep this corner of paradise for themselves.

8. Mandello del Lario and the waters of Abbadia

Heading south with the walls of the Grigne group as a backdrop:

Mandello del Lario: Symbolic town of Moto Guzzi: from the lake you can spot the picturesque old harbour with its medieval watchtower.

The beaches of Abbadia Lariana: The coast becomes soft and flat, opening onto wide gravel beaches washed by clear, emerald waters, animated by sails pushed by the afternoon breeze.

9. The grand finale in the gulf of Lecco: the Statue of San Nicolò

Heading for the final mooring, before returning to port:

The statue of the Patron Saint: The boat slows and draws near the punta della Maddalena to admire, right at water level, the gilded bronze statue of San Nicolò, patron of Lecco and protector of boatmen and seafarers. Erected in the mid-1950s on an emerging rock, it welcomes with open arms all those returning from the lake, sealing the 3 hours of cruising with an evocative blessing.