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Travel
Information
Travel:
Our air travel package price
includes the flight to Milan Malpensa Airport using the scheduled
services of British Airways from London Heathrow to Milan Malpensa.
BA also fly from Birmingham and Manchester to Milan Malpensa. This
is approx. 50 kilometres (31 miles) from downtown Milan, which can
be reached by bus, train and taxi. Taxis charge approx E70 for the
journey and buses approx. E5.50 one-way. But there are buses
directly from Malpensa to Como.
Train: The Malpensa Express train
departs from Malpensa Airport’s terminal 1. Tickets are approx.
E9 to downtown, from where there is a regular train service from
Milan Central railway station to Como, taking about an hour. You
can also catch the SPT bus from Malpensa to Como. There are only 3
departures each day: 08.30, 13.00 and 19.30 (subject to change).
Easyjet: www.easyjet.com
fly from Edinburgh, Bristol and London Gatwick to Milan
Malpensa.
Alternatively Ryanair www.ryanair.com fly direct
from London Luton, Stanstead, Bristol,
Bournemouth, East Midlands, Newcastle, Liverpool and Prestwick to Milan
Orio al Serio (also
known a Bergamo). This
is located approximately 45 Km from the city of Milan. There is no
direct rail connection from this airport however there is a rail
connection in Bergamo city where you have a 15 minute bus journey
costing E1.55 to the train station and approx E4.00 for the train to
Milan taking about an hour. There is also a bus service from the
outside arrivals to Milan operated by Autostradale and the journey
will take about an hour and cost approx E6.70. You will then have to take
the train to Como.
A pickup service with private taxi from
Milan or the Airport can be arranged on request. 1-3 people approx
145 Euros.
Arrival:
The tour starts in the little historical village of Brunate just
above the city of Como. A regular train service runs from
Milan (about 1 hour). There are also buses directly from the
airport of Milano - Malpensa. regular ferryboats run from and to
all places along the lakeshore. A pickup service with private taxi
from Milan or the airport can be arranged on request.
During
the tour:
The itinerary requires the use of ferry services to travel between
hotels. The cost of these is not included in the holiday cost as
it is not practical to supply tickets. These are easily purchased
at the waterside before boarding the boats. The cost of the two
transfers is 10 – 15 Euros per person; the faster ferries are
the more expensive option. On these two journeys between hotels
you are required to travel with your luggage. We recommend a bag
on wheels, backpack or other easily carried bag. The taxi transfer
from the ferry terminal at Menaggio to the hotel in Breglia and
return is included in the trip price.
In addition a
number of cable cars, taxis, buses and boats are required to
complete the walking itinerary. These are not included in the
holiday price and will total 20 – 25 Euros per person
End
of tour: The tour ends after
breakfast on day 8 in Varenna. The return is easily made by
boat to Como, then by train to Milan, or by bus directly to the
airport. Several taxi services are available. A taxi service can
be arranged on request.
Extra
nights in hotels:
It is possible to include extra nights in any of the towns en
route. Details and prices on request.
Season: March - November (excluding 14-22 April, 4-10 May and 8-10
September because of special events).
General
Information
Hotels:
The hotels described are our usual choice of accommodation,
however if these are not available then alternatives are used and
if these are of a different standard you will be informed at the
time of booking.
Baths/showers: Many rooms with ensuite/private
facilities have a shower rather than a bath, usually because of
limited space. Some hotels/guesthouses may however have a separate
room in the house where a bath is available to guests.
Breakfast:
in countries such as Italy usually consist of coffee and croissant, sometimes, bread rolls, yoghurts, ham and cheese as well. If you want more for breakfast then we would suggest you purchase some food the night before.
Special
Dietary Requirements: It is
important for you to tell us if you have any dietary requirements
when you book your holiday so that we can inform everyone that you
are staying with.
Single
Supplements: are payable on
most of our tours. The
single supplement guarantees the privacy of your own room,
however, rooms can at times be small and in some places may not
enjoy the same facilities as double/twin rooms.
Language:
When
travelling in less frequented areas you will not
necessarily come across people speaking English. Remember you are
experiencing a different culture, buy a phrase book and try to
learn a little of the local language!
Luggage:
When staying in hotels,
sometimes your luggage will have been taken to you room awaiting
your arrival. However don’t be surprised if your luggage is
waiting for you to take it up to your room. Please politely ask
someone if you need assistance.
Route
Notes: Please note that one
set of route notes per room booked is included in the cost of the
holiday. If you require more sets of notes then there is a charge
of £25 per set ordered.
Insurance:
All clients must have appropriate cover for the activities
included for the duration of our trip.
Baths:
it is not normal for your room to have a bath, the main reason being that it takes up a lot of space, some hotels/guesthouses may have a separate room in the house where a bath is available to guests, but in the main
expect showers.
Breakfast:
in countries such as Italy usually consist of coffee and croissant, sometimes, bread rolls, yoghurts, ham and cheese as well. If you want more for breakfast then we would suggest you purchase some food the night before. It is important for you to tell us if you have any dietary requirements when you book your holiday so that we can inform everyone that you are staying with.
Single
Supplements:
are payable on most of our tours. The single supplement guarantees the privacy of your own room, however, rooms can at times be small and in some places may not enjoy the same facilities as double/twin rooms.
Language:
that you will not necessarily come across people speaking English. Remember you have left home to find things different bring a phrase book, try to learn a bit of Italian!!
Route Notes
On
self-guided trips we provide you with route
notes and maps at 1:25.000 scale.
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Level of Difficulty
Grade: Moderate
Most of the trails are well maintained.
Some of these walks have shorter versions, which include only the
sections on easy, mostly paved paths, clearly visible and easy to
follow. Longer options are available for some of the walks (eg.
days 2, 4, 5 and 6),
with some steeper climbs and descents on rougher surfaces.
Fitness: Clients should
have a reasonable level of fitness and should be able to walk for
up to 4½ hours during a day for easier options and longer for
moderate grade walks. Snow may be encountered especially early in
the season and upto late June at the highest levels.
Waymarking: only some of the routes
are marked with red/white marks or with signs.
Elsewhere it is necessary to follow the
route descriptions provided, together with
the maps.
Outline Itinerary
Note
that distances and timings stated below, refer to the main walks
plus additional suggestions, which are added to the main walk
distance.
Day
1: Arrival in Brunate (just above
Como), either by train
or bus, you then take the cable car (approx E3.40pp) up to your
hotel at Brunate. If you have time when you arrive you can pay a short visit to the very interesting historic
town centre of Como and maybe stroll along the lake to soak up the
tranquil old world atmosphere.
Day
2: A wonderful panoramic walk along a
well kept path along the ridge, high above the lake, with views to
both sides. It is possible to have a panoramic lunch in Brunate,
but there are also many great viewpoint spots for a good picnic.
At the ruins of a medieval castle we descend towards the lake
again. Those who want to can continue their walk down to the
lakeshore village, of Torno, and take the boat back. Otherwise
return through the forest to Brunate and your hotel.
Distance: 10km - 16 km. Approx.
4½ - 7 h. walking.
Options
for an extra day in Brunate: Around
Como there are many villa’s and estates to visit. Go and see
Villa Olmo, and try to see Villa D’Este as well. Travelling by
boat to some other lake side villages in this southern part of the
lake is also a worthwhile experience. Cernobbio, for example,
surrounded by beautiful villa’s, has a wonderful relaxed
atmosphere.
Day
3: The first part of the day is
dedicated to the old town of Como, renowned for its Romanesque
churches, its wonderful Duomo, medieval town walls and
silk products. But also for its impressive villas, its fine
‘fin-de-siècle’ hotels and its rationalist architecture along
the lake shore. Stroll through the alleys and along the lake to
get the real feel of the city. From
Como you travel then by boat to Menaggio, (taking your luggage
with you) admiring all the
charming villages from the lake. In Menaggio your taxi meets you
and takes you up to the charming village of Breglia, along a
panoramic road. Here
take a first stroll to Madonna di Breglia, a ‘church with a
view’, and San Domenico. Along the Roman excavations you return
to your hotel to relax on the terrace and breathe in the fresh
mountain air.
Distance: 4,5 – 8,5 km. Approx. 2 -
3.5 h. walking
Day
4: Directly from your hotel in Breglia you take a circular walk, which
brings you up to a mountain hut above Menaggio. The walk is
relatively easy, but nonetheless offers unforgettable views of the
lake! First you walk through the old part of the village, then
beautiful forests and of course you come across a number of
spectacular viewpoints over Lake Como. A last steep section brings
you up to the mountain hut where it is possible to have lunch. A
short extra walk brings you to the saddle of 'Pizza
Coppa' from where you can admire the whole region, from Lake
Como to Lake Lugano (Switzerland). An optional detour takes you to
the top of Monte Grona (alt. 1736 m.). Taking a gradually
descending path, with still spectacular views on Lake Como and the
surrounding mountains, you return to Breglia.
Distance: 9 -12 km. Approx. 4.5 - 5.5 h.
walking
Day
5: A car takes you down to Menaggio,
from where you take the boat to the charming village of Varenna,
(taking your luggage with you) deemed ‘Italy’s most romantic village’, and then settle into
your hotel. Varenna has inspiring views of the lake and the
distant mountains and brightly painted houses adorned with
flower-filled balconies, a bustling waterfront and a maze of
meandering cobble stoned streets. It is a delightful place to
explore. Take a walk on one of the historical pathways of the
area, the so-called ‘Sentiero del Viandante’, which brings you to the curious ‘Fiumelatte’,
Italy’s shortest river, this was researched by Leonardo de
Vinci. In the afternoon you can opt to visit the small village of
Bellano, where you can make a short, but very interesting
promenade into the canyon of the river Pioverna. Or perhaps
you’ll just want to relax and eat in a trattoria
somewhere in the village.
Distance: 6 - 10 km. Approx. 4 - 5 h.
walking
Day
6: Today you walk the northern
stretch of the ‘Sentiero
del Viandante’. There are several options: you can either
walk a shorter or longer stretch. From Varenna you travel by boat
or bus to Dervio or Bellano, and from there you walk along this
relatively easy coastal path back to Varenna. Views over the lake
from this path are marvelous and you move through a pretty
terraced landscape. Those who wish can combine the walk with a
visit to the abbey of Piona, one of the most intriguing places by
Lake Como.
Distance: 8-17 km. Approx. 3 - 6 h.
walking
Day
7: Today you can visit the whole
central section of the Lago di Como by boat. According to your
interests there are several spots where you just ‘must’ go
such as: the splendid Villa Carlotta, with its beautiful gardens
overlooking the lake, charming Menaggio and of course Bellagio,
''The Pearl of the Lake'', situated on Punta Spartivento, where
the two arms of Lake Como meet. Here you can take an incredibly
scenic walk through delightful countryside, and the charming
fishing village of Pescallo and up to the scenic hamlet of
Visgnola. Down at the lake you walk back along the wonderful
gardens of Villa Melzi. Then there is time to explore any number
of the local villages by boat, or relax with a drink somewhere on
the lake shore, before returning to the hotel.
Distance: 8 - 11 km. Approx. 3 – 4.5
h. walking
Day
8: End
of trip. Depart after breakfast.
Accommodation & Meals
Accommodation
is on a bed and breakfast basis in 2 & 3 star hotels, 2
evening meals are also included. All
rooms have en-suite facilities. You are free to organise your
dinner from the wide choice of restaurants in the area. No picnic
lunches are included in the tour price. Materials for picnics can
be purchased in the villages where you stay. Also it is possible
on all walking days to have lunch in the villages, or mountain
hamlets that you pass through.
Nights
1 & 2: These are spent at
Brunate. Our 3 star hotel is situated on the hillside at 712mt and
overlooks the city of Como. Use the cablecar to take you down to
Como (7 mins). We will try to secure rooms with a balcony, so
you can appreciate the views.
Nights
3 & 4: These nights are spent in
a comfortable 2-star hotel (although we feel it should have a
higher star rating) in the small hamlet of Breglia, high above the
lake, in the mountains above Menaggio.
Nights
5, 6 & 7: These last nights are spent in a very good
3-star hotel in the wonderful little village of Varenna, the
‘most romantic village of Italy’, located in the central part
of the Lake.
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