The glacial Lake Como in Lombardy, Italy, is one of the most romantic lakes in the world. Set amongst stunning mountains that are snow capped in winter and glisten in the summer sun, the lake attracts a wealth of tourists yet remains a scenic and peaceful location. There are many activities on offer, but one of the most widely appreciated is the creative hobby of painting. Both professionals and amateurs flock to Como`s shores to capture their own impressions of the landscapes and scenes that have inspired so many people.

Como has always been renowned for its beauty, evident from the building of villas by various royal families from around the world from the sixteenth century onwards. This even includes members of the British royal family. These villas often house marvellous show gardens. In fact, Como has a wealth of stunning gardens due to its mixed Mediterranean and mild climate which allows both tropical and temperate plants to be grown. In the summer months fantastic displays of exotic flowers bring the valley to life with vibrant colour and shape. Adding to this character are the baroque inspired chapels which nestle in the mountainsides and add a peaceful serenity to the area. Clearly, when looking across Lake Como and into the landscapes for subjects and scenes to paint, one would not be lost for inspiration.

Many of the famous views and scenes that have been painted in the past incorporate the three small towns of the lake: Bellagio, Menaggio and Varenna. The former, known as `the pearl of the lake`, has been a popular spot for centuries while the latter has come into favour more recently. However for those willing to explore Lake Como there are many other painting opportunities to discover. Highlights include the olive trees of Ossuccio, the Romanesque architecture of the capital Como, the gardens of Villa Trotti and the panoramic views from Venus Gulf.

All styles of painting and drawing have a home at Lake Como, from simple sketching to complex oil and acrylic work. For those who want detail, there is plenty to see both at close and long range. Conversely, the sweeping brushstrokes of water colour work will lend themselves well to the rich landscapes of the glacial valley.

One of the best things about a painting holiday is the opportunity to meet and learn from a whole host of like-minded individuals who can help to develop your skills. However if the painting side of things gets a little too overpowering there are many other activities on offer around Lake Como. Wine tasting and visits to vineyards are popular, as are walking and cycling tours of the towns and natural environments of the lake. For those interested in water sports, wind surfing, canoeing, kayaking and sailing are prominent, as are the more extreme sports of water skiing, and power boating. There are also opportunities to paraglide down from the mountains, giving you a wonderful and very different perspective on your surroundings.

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Day 1 Arrival at the airport and private transfer to the selected hotel in Cadenabbia. Check in, introducing briefing of the tour and rest of the day at disposal. Welcome
dinner at the hotel, served on the wonderful terrace restaurant.

Day 2 Day dedicated to explore beautiful Bellagio, “the pearl of the lake”. Transfer to Bellagio by boat. We go straight to Villa Melzi for a visit to its wonderful gardens. Following, lunch by the well known restaurant “ Da SIlvio” where it will be possible to taste delicious lake fish and local specialties. Late afternoon at your leisure, dinner at the hotel. Painting session by the Lake. Back to Cadenabbia by ferry. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 3 Morning at your leisure. Afternoon dedicated to the lake Villas. Visit to the adjacent Villa Carlotta. You will be enchanted by the richness of its garden and the sumptuous blooming. Inside the villa you will admire masterpieces of Canova and Hyaz. Quick lunch on your own and with ferry to Lenno, Visit Villa Balbianello. Visit of the Villa and its impressive gardens. Quick sketches can be done around Barbianello. Following, you will have a romantic dinner overlooking the Venus Gulf. After dinner ferry to the hotel.

Day 4 After breakfast, take the ferry to Sala Comacina, some leisure time for your self. Then walk to Ossuccio where olive trees surrounded the village. Painting session in the field with panoramic view of the Lake. Visit Madonna Del Soccorso optional. 15min climbing up but it’s worth to see, 14 temples on the way and the Del
Soccorso, beautiful church and breathtaking view. Ferry to the hotel. Dinner your own.

Day 5 Optional day to Como, the capital of the Lake. After breakfast boarding on a public boat and cruise down to the south part of the lake, where at the very bottom we will reach Como. Visit. The cathedral, the SanFedele Romanesque Basilica and its homonymous Piazza, the ancient city walls and the medieval neigh borough of La Cortesella. Lunch optional, in a typical old Inn, where local food and good wine are served. Afternoon at disposal. Back to the hotel by boat. Dinner and overnight. In case of late hydrofoil shifts, it will be possible to remain in Como for dinner and go back to the hotel later.

Day 6 Another day completely dedicated to the lake and to painting. Breakfast and afterwards ferry to Varenna, probably the most beautiful and characteristic village
of the lake. Visit of the village and start of your painting session. Lunch in a typical restaurant and in the afternoon you will reach, with 20 minutes walking, Castel Vezio and its stunning view . Dinner optional by the lake. Following transfer by ferry boat to the hotel.

Day 7 Morning at your leisure. Last day is to spend in Bellagio. Day dedicated to painting; Painting session in small fishing town, Pescallo. Lunch on your own and optional visit to Villa Trivulzio and Villa Trotti gardens. Ferry to the hotel. Farewell dinner at the hotel.

Day 8: Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to airoport.

Note: Program may change, depending on the weather

Get Brochure: Lake Como Painting Tour

Day 1: Arrival

Arrive at the airport, where you will be met by your driver. Check in your hotel in Lake Como. Meet with your escort for a short briefing and introduction regarding the stay, followed by a welcome aperitif in a fashion bar downtown.

Day 2: Bellagio and Varenna

We will ferry to the village of Bellaggio, "The pearl of the lake," and visit the charming stairways and elegant shops it offers. We'll have lunch at the picturesque Da Silvio restaurant, where it will be possible to taste delicious lake fish and local specialties, followed by a visit to the small port of Loppia and Pescallo, an old fishing town.

Spend the afternoon completely dedicated to the lake and painting. We'll then ferry to Varenna, a beautiful village full of old-world character.

Day 3: Lake Villas and Como

Board a private boat to Tremezzo visiting Villa Carlotta and the spectacular Villa Balbianello, which was the set for several famous movies. Sketch or paint in its superb gardens.

Later that afternoon, experience a walking tour of the old city of Como. You will visit the Cathedral, The San Fedele Romanic basilica with its Piazza, the ancient city walls and medieval neighbourhood of La Cortsella.

Day 1: Pick up from Geneva Airport. 1 hour drive to Morgins by the French border. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 2: Painting session in the morning around Morgins lake, going up to the mountain with ski lift Picnic for lunch. Painting on the top of Fouilleuse. Afternoon tea at the hotel. Wine Testing and dinner at the restaurant.

Day 3: Another painting day - Day trip to Gruyères. where the gruyere cheese takes its name. On the way to Callier chocolate factory. Back to gruyere. Visit the Castle & the village. Lunch snacks provided. An optional visit to Geiger’s museum possible. Back to Morgins in the evening. Dinner at the Hotel.

Day 4: After breakfast, trip to Chatel, visit a French market. Drive to Abondance. Visit The Abbey and paint the beautiful landscape surrounding. Picnic lunch. Afternoon tea with French crepes of your choice back in Chatel village. Dinner at the hotel
Day 5: Cultural day - Heading to Martigny after breakfast - Visiting Martigny Museum. Lunch in Martigny. Trip to Sion, Swimming optional. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 6: Breakfast at the hotel. Trip to Swiss Riviera, Montreux and Chillion Castle. Painting session by the lake. Dinner in Villeneuve.

Day 7: After breakfast, morning at leisure. A total Swiss day. Visiting a farm near by Morgins. Lunch at the farm. Painting the landscape in the forest. Afternoon tea and dinner at the hotel Farewell Party

Day 8: Breakfast at the hotel - Transport to Geneva Airport.

Note: the program may change, depending on the weather.

Day 1: Arrival

Arrive at the airport and meet with your Tour Leader, who will take care of your private transfer to your hotel, and a quick briefing regarding your stay. Welcome dinner at a typical Trattoria. After dinner, taste a delicious ice cream at a traditional Gelateria.

Day 2: Como City Tour

An English speaking guide will take us on a Como City tour. During the walking tour we'll visit the Cathedral, the Roman San Fedele Basilica and the homonymous little Piazza, the ancient city walls and the medieval neighborhood of the Cortesella. Lunch at typical Pizzeria by the lake side.

Day 3: Cooking and Wine Tasting

Breakfast at the hotel, and then we'll meet with our chef for your cooking class. Learn how to buy, what to buy and how to cook! At the end of the lesson we'll eat what we have prepared. Enjoy a free afternoon and, before dinner, a wine tasting in a classic winery of the old town.

Day 4: Visit to Milan

In the afternoon we'll travel by private bus to Milan for a visit of the city. With our English speaking guide, we'll visit the Duomo, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, and the Scala. We'll end the day with an aperitif in a Milanese bar and dinner in a restaurant at the Navigli neighborhood.

Day 5: Lake Cruise, Villas and Gardens

Boarding on a private motorboat, we'll leave for a day long tour of the lake. Slow cruising, admiring all the most beautiful villas of the lake Villa d'Este, Villa Versace, and others. We'll stop for sightseeing at the wonderful Villa Bablianello. After lunch by the lakeside, we'll travel to Bellagio, for a stroll in this beautiful village known as "the pearl of the lake". In the afternoon we'll visit the Villa Carlotta in Cadenabbia to see its superb gardens. Then we'll have a dinner of regional specialties all together.

Day:6 Visit to Valtellina Valley and Wine Tasting

Visit a winery in the Valtellina Valley to explore the wine cellars and learn about the wine making process. We'll enjoy in-house wine tasting with local appetizers and a lunch of regional food. In the afternoon visit to a second winery, then spend the evening dancing and having drinks in a fashionable club.

Day 7: Visit to Lugano, Switzerland

Following meeting with our escort and with private bus we'll drive along the western shore of the Lake of Como. Crossing a mountain boarder, we'll get to Lugano. Visit on our own of this beautiful and elegant Swiss city. Lunch will be in a regional seafood restaurant on the Lugano Lake shore.

Day 8: Departure for Home

Breakfast at the hotel and private transfer to the airport. Arrivederci!

Day 1: Arrival

Arrive at the airport and meet with your Tour Leader, who will take care of your private transfer to your hotel, and a quick briefing regarding your stay. Welcome dinner at a typical Trattoria.

Day 2: Como City Tour

An English speaking guide will take us on a Como City tour. During the walking tour we'll visit the Cathedral, the Roman San Fedele Basilica and the homonymous little Piazza, the ancient city walls and the medieval neighbourhood of the Cortesella. Lunch at a typical Pizzeria by the lake side.

Day 3: Cooking class

After breakfast at the hotel we'll meet with our Chef for your first cooking lesson. We'll go to the city market or to small shops in the old town to buy the necessary ingredients to cook our meal. With a modern and full furnished kitchen, our cook will introduce us the Italian cuisine and we will start our first hands on lesson. At the end we will eat what we have prepared. The courses will be served with matching wines. Rest of the day will be at leisure.

Day 4: Lake Cruise, Villas and Gardens

Boarding on a private motorboat, we'll leave for a day long tour of the lake. Slow cruising, admiring all the most beautiful villas of the lake Villa d'Este, Villa Versace, and others. We'll stop for sightseeing at the wonderful Villa Bablianello. After lunch by the lakeside, we'll travel to Bellagio, for a stroll in this beautiful village known as "the pearl of the lake". In the afternoon we'll visit the Villa Carlotta in Cadenabbia to see its superb gardens. Then we'll have a dinner of regional specialties all together.

Day 5: Cooking class

See program at day 3.

Day:6 Visit to Milan

In the afternoon we'll travel by private bus to Milan for a visit of the city. With our English speaking guide, we'll visit the Duomo, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, and the Scala. We'll end the day with an aperitif in a Milanese bar and dinner in a restaurant at the Navigli neighborhood.

Day 7: Cooking class

See program of day 3
In the evening, we'll share an arrivederci dinner.

Day 8: Departure for Home

Breakfast at the hotel and private transfer to the airport. Arrivederci