Boat Tour 8 hours - Pick up from Malgrate

1. Departure from Malgrate – The skyline and the "Matitone"

We cast off the moorings and set sail in the Gulf of Lecco with a spectacular overall view between Mount San Martino and the spiers of Resegone:

From the boat: The neo-Gothic bell tower of the Basilica of San Nicolò stands out, 96 meters high and known as the "Matitone". From the bow you can clearly see how the massive circular base rests on the foundations of a tower of the fifteenth-century Sforza fortifications placed to guard the ancient port.

2. Below the coast in Malgrate and the Moregallo cliffs

We turn west, skirting the western shore:

Malgrate and the Fortress: The period residences along the lakefront parade by and, looking upwards onto the wooded promontory, we glimpse the austere Castle/Fortress of Malgrate, an ancient medieval garrison of the Recalcati marquises.

The cliffs of Moregallo: The boat skims the dizzying limestone walls of Moregallo which sink sheer into the dark water: a majestic rock amphitheater, a climbing paradise and a legend for divers thanks to its abysses and submerged wrecks.

3. The ascent north – Onno, Vassena and the enchantment of Pescallo

Along the shore towards the tip of the Larian triangle:

Onno and Vassena: Two seaside villages from times gone by, with clusters of stone houses overlooking the water.

Pescallo bay and port: We slow down to slip into the quiet inlet of Pescallo (eastern fraction of Bellagio): an ancient fishermen's refuge with moored boats, nets and ivy stairways reflected in the flat water.

4. Bellagio, Villa Melzi and the 1st Land Stop (1 Hour in Bellagio)

Rounding the watershed point, we enter the Center of the Lake:

The gardens of Villa Melzi d'Eril: We admire the neoclassical terraces, the Moorish kiosk and the famous English botanical gardens that caress the shore from the water's edge.

Bellagio from the lake: The "Pearl of the Lario" offers its most famous view: the monumental central staircase, the grand Art Nouveau hotels and the majestic Villa Serbelloni on the top of the promontory.

⏱️ 1st stop on land (1 hour in Bellagio): Disembarkation at the Bellagio pier for a walk among the famous cobbled climbs, the silk and artisan perfume boutiques, or for a panoramic coffee with a view of the two branches of the lake.

5. The deepest point and the Tremezzina Riviera

Having resumed navigation, we cut through the waters of the central basin:

The deepest point of the Lario: Sailing towards Tremezzo we sail the lake abyss: with over 410 meters of depth, it is the deepest lake in Italy.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo: Magnificent icon of the Belle Époque (1910) with the ocher Art Nouveau façade and the famous "Water-on-the-Water" floating swimming pool. It was defined by Greta Garbo as "that place full of sun and happiness" (the actress made it famous in the 1932 film Grand Hotel and one of the historic suites is named after her), as well as having hosted champions such as Kimi Räikkönen and the Hollywood jet-set.

Villa Carlotta: Immediately next door, we see the spectacular baroque staircases, the lakeside fountains and the renowned 8-hectare botanical park, famous throughout Europe for the spring blooms of azaleas and rhododendrons.

6. The legendary homes of Tremezzina and the Comacina Island

We slide south into the most exclusive and cinematic stretch of the lake:

Villa del Balbianello: Perched on the Lavedo peninsula, it is the undisputed queen of the Lario with its famous loggia with three arches and umbrella-pruned holm oaks. Famous film set of Star Wars: Episode II (Anakin and Padmé's wedding) and 007 Casino Royale with Daniel Craig.

Villa La Cassinella: Accessible only by lake, famous for its absolute privacy, the Arabian Nights finishes and the gardens with perfectly aligned cypress trees.

Villa Balbiano: Sumptuous seventeenth-century noble palace in Ossuccio, with Italian gardens and golden piers, main set of the film House of Gucci by Ridley Scott.

Comacina Island: The only island on the lake. Medieval stronghold razed to the ground by the people of Como in 1169 and hit by the famous excommunication of Bishop Vidulfo ("The bells will no longer ring..."), a legend that left it deserted for centuries until the folklore of the "exorcism coffee" invented by the local inn.

7. In the heart of the Como branch – Nesso and Villa Oleandra in Laglio

Let's push the route south within the Como branch:

Ravine and Ponte della Civera in Nesso: The boat enters the mouth of the suggestive natural gorge of Nesso, where the waters of the Tuf and Nosè streams fall into the lake with a thunderous waterfall. Framing the picture is the Ponte della Civera: a Romanesque stone arch overlooking the water, the set of Alfred Hitchcock's first silent film (The Pleasure Garden, 1925) and today a point for spectacular dives.

Villa Oleandra in Laglio (George Clooney's house): We reach the Como shore to admire the most talked about residence of the world jet-set: the sumptuous eighteenth-century villa purchased by the American actor in 2002, equipped with a private dock, hanging gardens and little bridges that connect the estate.

8. Ascent along Lezzeno and new passage to Bellagio

We begin the ascent north:

The coasts of Lezzeno: We skirt the long shore of Lezzeno, famous for its sheer cliffs and the ancient local saying linked to the shadow of the mountains ("in Lezzeno the sun never shines in winter").

New passage from Bellagio: We cut again in front of the tip of the promontory to admire the village and Villa Serbelloni under a new angle of light.

9. Crossing to Varenna and the 2nd Land Stop (1 Hour in Varenna)

We cross the central basin towards the eastern shore:

Varenna and the villas from the lake: Approaching the shore we admire from the water's edge the profile of Vezio Castle on the rocky spur, the terraced gardens of Villa Cipressi and the spectacular colonnades at the water's edge of Villa Monastero.

⏱️ 2nd stop on land (1 hour in Varenna): Disembarkation at the Varenna pier to take the famous Lovers' Walk suspended over the water, explore the small square of San Giorgio or enjoy a relaxing aperitif in the bars overlooking the shore.

10. Descent of the east coast – Lierna, Villa Aurelia and the gossip about Clooney

Once back on board, we take the Lecco branch sailing south along the east bank:

Lierna and Riva Bianca: The natural crescent-shaped inlet with the white pebble beach and the remains of the ancient medieval fortress above the water.

Villa Aurelia and Clooney's background: We admire Villa Aurelia (Villa Besana), an eclectic-liberty masterpiece with a monumental stone dock. It is said that George Clooney, in love with the privacy and elegance of this corner of Lecco, made an astronomical offer (there was talk of over 100 million dollars) to buy it, which was firmly rejected by the owner family.

11. Mandello del Lario and the beaches of Abbadia

Going south to the foot of the Grigne:

Mandello del Lario: Legendary homeland of Moto Guzzi, with the picturesque historic port dominated by the medieval tower.

The beaches of Abbadia Lariana: Long stretches of light gravel bathed by clear, emerald waters, animated by the afternoon sails.

12. The return to Malgrate and the greeting of the Patron Saint San Nicolò

Aiming for the final mooring in the Gulf of Lecco:

The statue of the Saint on the waters: Near the Maddalena point the boat pulls alongside the gilded bronze statue of San Nicolò, patron saint of the city and protector of boatmen and sailors. Placed at the surface of the water on an emerging rock, it blesses with open arms those returning from sailing, providing the perfect ending to these unforgettable 8 hours on the lake.