Villa del Balbianello Lake Como, Lake Como

Villa Balbianello Gardens, Italy

Explore the Cities and Towns of Lake Como

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Over 20 years of crafting exceptional journeys across Villa del Balbianello Lake Como

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Our team lives and works here, offering insight beyond the landmarks.

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Every itinerary is thoughtfully crafted around your pace, from private dawn tours to intimate vineyard tastings.

Overview

Villa del Balbianello is one of the most beautiful gardens in the northern Italian Lake district, located on Lake Como and it occupies one of the most idyllic positions on the lake.

Its wooded peninsula juts out into the water almost opposite Bellagio, with breathtaking views up and down the lake.  Arriving from the water, it is nothing short of mythical and, climbing up the stairs from the water, you will see spectacular views of the lake in all directions. 

The panorama is best enjoyed from the open loggia built at the highest point by a discerning eighteenth-century Cardinal Angelo Durini.

The original name of the property was Dosso di Lavedo, as Balbianello's rugged promontory is known, was to become a favorite subject for romantic artists who loved to paint the villa perched on top of its sheer, rocky outcrop with the snowy peaks of the Engadine mountains, shimmering far away across the water.  

Stendhal took a boat trip that passed in front of Balbianello, and a great admired scenery, which reminded him of Scotland. 

This garden is best visited and entered from the lake itself, since the garden is best viewed from the water.  It is not easy once you are on Lake Como to arrange water transportation and we do recommend doing so in advance and booking a tour.

We do offer a tour by water that departs from anywhere on Lake Como and it is a great tour for families and groups of friends to book together.  You can see the tour here:

http://www.italygroupspecialists.com/tours/lake-como-by-boat-with-villa-balbianello.htm

For more information on this tour, or other great recommendations for getting the most out of your time on Lake Como, get in touch with the experts: team@italyvacationspecialists.com 

Call toll free in North America: 1-866-779-2565 or direct in Italy at: +39 392-993-3869

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Villa del Balbianello Lake Como

Stories That Stay With You

Here's what our guests share about their unforgettable journeys

“I went to high school with the owner of the company who organized my honeymoon for myself and my now wife from Tokyo. We spent three short weeks seeing Piedmont and experiencing wine paradise there, then heading to Nice in France with our private driver and flying to Rome where honestly 4 days is NOT enough. They keep saying to spend more time and we could not agree more! You need to spend more ti”
[Read More] Robin and Kumi Bruun, Tokyo Japan
“Dear Guiseppe and Jesse, We just returned from our most wonderful vacation to Italy and wanted to first thank you for putting together such a wonderful trip, and second to provide some feedback for the future. Hotels 1. Hotel Sovestro in San Gimignano was wonderful. The staff were very friendly and helpful and made the first portion of our journey very stress free. They made us feel like we were p”
[Read More] Ron and Deb Crosby
“Jesse, There are no words to describe the fabulous time we had in Italy. Everything went as you promised. Absolutely no problems! The venues were fabulous. The guides were punctual and helpful. It couldn't have worked out better. You and your staff deserve high praise for the quality and efficiency of your work. BTW, Guiseppe was an absolute delight. We enjoyed his informative and effervescent per”
[Read More] Jo Ann West
“This company really knows their stuff and recommended our family to stay longer in each location. We didn't listen to them, but wished we had in every single place we went. They recommended Sestri Levante over the Cinque Terre which was our favourite destination on our entire trip. We visited Rome where we stayed in the outstanding Hotel Locorno where they know the owner there, like in every place”
[Read More] Sean & Veet Chapman, CGA
“I traveled with JoAnn West through your services, guided by Giuseppe, in July of this year. What a wonderful experience; your service is really top notch! If I return to Italy for a tour, I will absolutely use your services again and recommend you to my friends!”
[Read More] Lucretia Brower
“Jesse & Giuseppe, Sandy and I have been looking through my slides of our trip to Southern Italy. We had such a good time with you and Giuseppe that we wanted to let you know again. You were the best guides ever.”
[Read More] Bob & Sandy
“I am a travel agent from Lebanon and have organized several group tours as well as individual tours of Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists. I highly recommend them as one of the very best tour operators in Italy to work with, given their professionalism and work ethic which I feel is second-to-none in the travel industry. All of the staff, the guides, the coaches and even the meals we enjoyed we”
[Read More] Nicole Haddad, Lebanese Travel Agent
“The trip was great; we appreciate all the hard work you and your team invested to make our experience a once in a lifetime trip. We appreciate all the attention to the details, in particular Giuseppe spending the time and the focus with us on the road and as we were exploring your great country.”
[Read More] Leon and Michele
“In August 2018, my family of four and myself travelled from Vancouver, BC to Rome Italy and spent 3 weeks touring Italy with IVS. This company had come highly recommended by many friends and associates of ours who had used them before and indeed to say they do an outstanding job is an understatement. You can tell while being in Italy that it is one complicated place to run tours in, just by the sh”
[Read More] Vijaya Sunil CPA, CGA
“I am a travel agent with All About Honeymoons and I would highly recommend Italy Vacation Specialists. Jessica was wonderful in helping us plan in a last minute anniversary vacation during high season without any issues. She even checked on our clients while on vacation to make sure things were going well. I plan on using them again soon for all my future bookings!”
[Read More] Tammy Joyce, All About Honeymoons

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