Trip Itinerary

Our trip starts at Milan's Malpensa Airport, located northwest of the city. Milan offers a perfect blend of world-class art and stunning architecture, with highlights including the magnificent Duomo Cathedral and Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper." The city's compact historic center makes it ideal for a short visit. The Malpensa Express train offers a direct and comfortable connection from Malpensa Airport to Milano Centrale station in approximately 50 minutes.

Overnight: N/A

Meals: N/A

We'll meet at the arrivals level of Malpensa Airport Terminal 1 and head by van directly to the first of the three lakes on this trip, Lago Como. Skirting the city of Como, which is world famous for its silks, we will continue up the western shore of the lake to Cadenabbia and the ferry crossing to Bellagio, the "pearl of Lago Como". After lunch and a brief kayaking equipment review, we'll paddle along the eastern shore of Lago Como to the village of San Giovanni di Lezzeno, a village featuring characteristic Lombard stone houses, narrow cobbled lanes, and a small historic church. Walking through the compact village center feels like stepping back in time. Returning to our accommodations near Bellagio, there will be time to relax before heading out to dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Hotel La Locanda della Maria

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Today, we kayak across Lago Como to Villa Balbianello, perched dramatically on a wooded headland. The 18th-century villa features spectacular terraced gardens and feels like stepping into a film set (which it has been, for James Bond and Star Wars). We'll paddle the shoreline and enjoy some of the most breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Como. Continuing, we'll visit the towns of Lenno and Tremezzina before the paddle back to Bellagio. In the evening, we'll have a special dinner in town.

Overnight: Hotel La Locanda della Maria

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, we will cross one of the "legs" of Lago Como to the romantic medieval village of Varenna and its Vezio Castle, which was originally a Roman fortress. We'll walk the narrow lanes of the village, cross the Flumelatte (River of Milk), Italy's shortest river, and hike up to the castle for a sweeping view of the three branches of Lago Como. After lunch, we'll paddle along the cliffs north of town before setting course back along the eastern shore past the village of Lierna. We once again cross the Flumelatte and approach Bellagio from the east. Before dinner in Bellagio, there will be time to explore the town and browse its many posh shops.

Overnight: Hotel La Locanda della Maria

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After loading our luggage into the support van, we will set off for Lago Lugano in the Italian region of Switzerland. Paddling out of Lugano, we'll navigate a shoreline of fine villas and lavish gardens before reaching a set of sheer cliffs and finally the ancient village of Gandria. Reminiscent of the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera, Gandria is perched on the steep slope of a fjord-like arm of Lago with dramatic views of snowcapped peaks. We'll explore the village before crossing the lake to the wooded south shore. After lunch in the hamlet of Caprino, there will be time to relax on the lakeshore and have a swim before we paddle back to town. Tonight we'll dine al fresco at one of the best Grottos in Lugano and discover the rustic charm of this regional institution.

Overnight: Hotel Arbostora

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, we'll board the van for a short drive overland to another arm of Lago Lugano and our launch point at the village of Melide. Our destination is the picture-perfect village of Morcote. We'll explore the shaded arcades and flower-lined alleyways of this village that dates back to the 10th century. After lunch at a lakefront restaurant, we'll walk up to the gardens of the 13th-century church of Santa Maria del Sasso, which was rebuilt in the Renaissance style in the 15th century and subsequently in the Baroque style in the 18th century. Boarding the kayaks, we'll continue along the glacially carved shores of the lake, taking out at the town of Casoro. We'll have time to relax and enjoy some of the charms of the Swiss–Mediterranean city of Lugano before dinner out.

Overnight: Hotel Arbostora

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Packing the van, we drive back into Italy and the shores of majestic Lago Maggiore, the second biggest lake in the country, and the setting for Ernest Hemingway's " A Farewell to Arms". After checking into our hotel in the charming town of Laveno, we'll take a ferry across the lake and kayak the Borromean Islands, controlled by the aristocratic Borromeo family since the 12th century, who transformed them from rocky outcrops into elaborate showcases of wealth and culture. We'll land on Isola dei Pescatori, the island of the fishermen, wander through the narrow cobbled walkways of the village, have an espresso, and take some time to enjoy the idyllic atmosphere of the island before we paddle towards the remarkable Isola Bella. With its stunning baroque palace and spectacular ten-tiered terraced gardens, it creates what is known as the "garden ship" effect. After circumnavigating the island, we paddle to the town of Stresa and board the waiting van for the drive and ferry ride back to Laveno. Tonight's dinner is at a local restaurant, where we can celebrate our journey of discovery through the Lake District

Overnight: Locanda Pozzetto, Laveno

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, we'll board the van for the drive to Milan Malpensa, with an expected arrival in the late morning. The airport offers easy connections to Milan Centrale Station and flights home. Arrivederci!

Overnight: NA

Meals: Breakfast