Day 13: Lake Como – And we are finally back in Italy, one of our favorite countries in the whole world! Our original trip here was scheduled for May, 2020, but of course, we all know the story. Covid happened. Three years later, we finally made it. It was most definitely worth the wait. A few of our first glimpses of gorgeous Lake Como!

While we have been to Italy many times before, we have never had the opportunity to travel to and explore Lake Como. For some reason, this particular destination was in high demand after Covid, so we felt like it was time to finally get ourselves there so we could better assist our clients. It was a great decision!

Como is nestled at the southern tip of Lake Como and surrounded by the foothills of the Alps, a gem that quietly enchants you. It might not get as much attention as Bellagio or Varenna, but that’s part of what makes it special. It’s a little more lived-in, a little less polished, and wonderfully authentic.

There are several ways to get around Lake Come. One of the most common is the public ferry. On our first morning, we decided to explore the ferry system, so we hopped on a ferry. Tickets were easy to purchase, but our first trip happened while it was cloudy out, so we had no idea how easy we had it that first day.

What do I mean? Well…when it’s sunny and gorgeous, the masses come out, so you may find yourselves in long lines with sold out tickets to your preferred departure times, which could mean having to wait an additional two hours before the next ferry. So just a little heads up. That said – it’s a great way to travel if you want to save money, and there are both slow and fast options.

We recommend taking the faster options, as the slow ferries will eat into your time. I’m not really sure why these slower options are offered, other than for people who have either missed their boat or just want to spend more time on the water. With so many quaint villages to explore, however, we were much more interested at getting from point A to point B as quickly as possible – at least on our first full day.

The downside with ferries is that the schedule is limited and your really need to plan ahead if you want to get the most out of your day. And to be sure, the schedules aren’t always convenient, nor do they always make sense.

Additionally on gorgeous sunny days, ferry lines may be long and could sell out, meaning you may have to wait a few hours for the next one. Plus you’re also dealing with crowds. That said…it’s definitely an affordable way to explore on your own. My advice it to talk to your Travel Consultant, as there are definitely other amazing options, depending on what your ultimate goals are.

Stay tuned, as we explored some amazing towns and villages. Be on the look out especially for our day out on the lake in a beautiful Venetian Boat! For more information on our itineraries, feel free to email us at dtgainor@gmail.com or visit Global Getaways to learn more about who we are and how we work.