Lake Como For You

Lake Como is as much about its smaller pleasures as its grand views: a glass of regional wine in Como, a villa garden, a village explored on foot. Lake Como For You brings these perspectives together through guided experiences and tailor-made itineraries. Its approach centres on spending time with locals who can connect the scenery with the area's food, history and culture, whether your interest lies on the water or along the shore.

The range gives this concierge service its substance. Boat and villa outings sit alongside cooking classes, food tours, hiking and cultural visits, while bespoke work extends to private events, wedding guest tours and multi-day itineraries. The seven-hour Grand Tour of Lake Como includes a long private cruise aboard an open-top Venetian water taxi, exploring the western branch. Its programme also lists a guided visit to Villa Balbianello or Villa Carlotta. For a different focus, the Central Lake Tour combines walks in Bellagio and Varenna with a private cruise and olive-oil tasting at Vezio Castle.

Como itself deserves attention beyond the waterfront. The private, three-hour Como Food Tour pairs a licensed English-speaking guide with stops for regional flavours, threading through the historic centre past the Duomo, Broletto and San Fedele. Wine, cured meats, cheeses, olive oil and gelato feature among the listed tastings, which may vary with availability. It is a particularly appealing choice if you want architectural context alongside the food rather than a tasting alone.

Choose your starting point as carefully as your theme: departures vary between Como, Varenna, Tremezzo and hotel pick-up, depending on the outing. For the food tour, favour a day other than Monday, as the operator suggests. Use the official website to explore the programmes and discuss any personalisation before booking.