Your Own Excursions A day out in Milan Public Transport From Menaggio take the ferry to Varenna, once you are in Varenna walk to the train station and take the train to Milan. The train stops at Milan Central station. If you prefer, you can also take the fast ferry to Como, then in Como you take the train from either station to Milan. There are two stations in Como, the Lake station takes you to Cadorna in Milano, the Como St. Giovanni Station takes you to Milan Central Station. Guests please note that the Como stations are very good but it is not easy to get public transport up towards Menaggio after 19:00, as busses and ferries stop around that time. Depending on what option you take if you arrive in the Milan Central station, you will need to take the yellow metro to the DUOMO! If you take the train to Cadorna, then you can just walk out and ask for Castello Sforzesco and then walk to the Duomo. By Car Park your car at Lampugnano, then put in your GPS: 45°29’21” 09°07’35” Lampugnano - Milano or put Via Natta - Milano. Park your car there and take the metro to the Duomo. In case you do not have a GPS, then drive down to CERNOBBIO, there is a 2km long tunnel, you cannot miss it in Cernobbio, right after that tunnel you will see green motorway signs towards the A9 motorway. Take the motorway and follow signs for Venezia – Milano, until you see signs VIALE CERTOSA. Then follow signs for LAMPUGNANO. If you leave the lake at 09:00, rush-hour will be over and you will have plenty of time to be back before rush-hour at around 17:00. Sights to see People often say I’ll wait for a rainy day to go to Milan, in the end it’s just another city. Through experience I can tell you that this does not apply to Milan, a nice or good day is a must to fully enjoy it’s beauty. We highly recommend a visit to the Duomo, it took the Milanese some 400 years to build it and you will see why, it is simply stunning. You can also go on top of it, a great experience! Visit the Galleria, right in front of the Duomo, many admire a little Toro designed in the mosaics. Also walk to the Scala, one of the best theatres in the world, but remember for those who love their fashion, head to Via Monte Napoleone and Via della Spiga, the fashion roads in Milan. Brera is artist area not far from there, this includes Castello Sforzesco, a truly beautiful place and definitely worth a day. If you have the time, see the ‘Last Supper’ by Leonardo Da Vinci painted on a wall in Milan, close to the Castello. Booking is recommended as this is known to have long lines. You can visit www.milan-museum.com for tickets, normally you would need to book a month in advance. Villas and Villages There are many villas to visit on Lake Como, in Bellagio Villa Melzi, Villa Monatero in Varenna and many others. However we highly recommend the below: Villa Carlotta Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo, has spectular views of Bellagio and can not be missed. Villa Balbianello Villa Balbianello is situated in Lenno. To get there from the Lido di Lenno, walk along the indicated path for approxamitly 25 minutes, or take a shuttle boat. One of the most magnificent places of the world. Villages There are many villages to visit, all very nice from the rural and sportive North to the natural South towards Lecco and the golden triangle in the middle to the luxurious South towards Como. There are a few you simply have to see, they are Menaggio, Varenna and Bellagio. All are easily connected by ferry. In Varenna you can even walk up to the castle, Castello di Vezio or go to Villa Monastero, it is such a cute village, in the town, at the lakefront you will find Bar Varenna, guy called Eros, just do not miss it. In Bellagio you can walk through the village, then go to Pescallo on the other side and walk to the gardens of the Villa Melzi. Bellagio has just opened up a disco-bar-beachclub called Lido di Bellagio, which is great for a break. In Menaggio, just stroll around the centre, it is simply beautiful. You can go all the way to the end of the boulevard where you get to a minigolf and the public pool (Lido). Sightseeing in Venice Is it possible to visit Venice in a day from Lake Como? Anything is possible, however this could be quite a long day. We recommend that if you want to visit Venice from Lake Como or Lake Lugano that you take two days away. Spend one night in a hotel in Verona as this is a comfortable half way point between the lakes and Venice. You can book a hotel for Verona through www.booking.com. By Car Drive towards Venezia (Venice), either along the A9, passing Milano (Milan) and then the A4 towards Venezia, or via Lecco. By Train Head to Milan or Bergamo and then take the direct line to Venice. Verona will still be a stop on the way. When you are in Venice, visit the Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal, Piazza San Marco and maybe even Murano, the island where glass is made. It is a fabulous city with lots to do. One recommendation, try geting off the tourist routes into the student area or where the locals live, it is amazing and quiet! In the morning wake up in Verona, another beautiful city, well known as the home of Romeo and Juliet. Sightseeing in Bergamo It is not a very famous city, it is a hidden pearl. Bergamo has two faces, a quite uninteresting modern city centre, ‘Città Bassa’, the lower part of Bergamo and then the beautiful ‘Bergamo Alta’ the higher city, beautiful and historic. It is also possible to park in the lower part of the city and walk up or take a little train up. By Car Drive towards Bergamo, either along the A9, passing Milano and then the A4 towards Venezia, exit Bergamo or via Lecco, driving to Bergamo avoiding Milan and the motorway/highway. By Train Head to Milan first or directly via Lecco to Bergamo. Cultural Sieghtseeing Tours in Bergamo La Rocca On the main street of the Upper Town of Bergamo, in the province of Lombardy, taking a steep road, we arrive at the Fortress City of Bergamo, located on the top of the hill of St. Euphemia. Its construction dates back to the year 1330 and was commissioned by the vicar of John of Luxembourg, William of Castelbarco. It looks like a small castle with high walls, a gate that was going directly to a tower and, via steep stairs, climb on top. On the square surrounding the Keep, artifacts are on the era of the Second World War as several cannons, tank, and various commemorative plaques, celebrating the sacrifice of law enforcement and the partisans. Church of Saint Nicolo ai Celestini The church of St. Nicholas to Celestine in Bergamo is located in the village of Santa Caterina, attached to the Celestine Monastery. This fourteenth century building is adorned by wooden works that fourteenth century frescoes. The most precious among these, The Tree of Life and the Altarpiece. Both in oil on canvas of the Madonna and Child in Glory with Saints. Numerous fragments of frescoes still partially visible on the interior walls, some were discovered during the restoration work that has affected the roof and the interior of the church. There are numerous paintings, statues and stucco adorn the building. The ceiling itself is thickly painted, while the altar is adorned with a marble balustrade, stucco, frescoes and paintings. Archaeological Museum The Bergamo Archaeological Museum holds many examples of our history through several eras such as, the prehistoric, Ancient Egyptians, Roman and the Copper, Bronze and Iron Ages. It was founded in 1561 by a decree of the city that he proposed to gather in one place, all the ancient artifacts that were until now scattered in different sites. In 1960, after several previous location, this museum was established in the Visconti Palace in the Città Alta. Bormio Bormio is a cosy mountain resort just North East of Lake Como in the famous Valtellina. It takes approximately two hours drive from the lakes, along a straight road leading past Colico, Sondrio, Tirano. When you come to Bormio, do not get mistaken by ‘Terme di Bormio’, that is not it, you have to go to Bagni Vecchi and Bagni Nuovi. Bormio has two natural thermal baths, the Bagni Vecchi and Bagni Nuovi. The water comes out of the mountain here at high temperatures after travelling some 50 years from its centre. These baths were used and designed by the Romans and can still be enjoyed by us even now. Another feature is the road up to the Stelvio Pass from Bormio. Used in serval car shows, this road climbs to great heights and provides a wide and beautiful road surface for a unique driving experience. Furthermore Vatellina is very famous for it’s amazing apples and very high quality wines. Visit St Moritz Combining the visit to St. Moritz and the use of Bernina train, the highest train in Europe. For the best experience and ease use the organized excursion from Menaggio.