Secluded Honeymoon in Lake Como and Portofino Itinerary

Lake Como offers you an idyllic getaway as the cobalt blue waters splash against the lush emerald trees of the Italian Alps. Villages pepper the shoreline and rise out of the canopy, and you can see why the Lombard kings found solace in the beauty of the water as an escape from the daily life of their kingdom. The regal air continues to swirl through the streets of the towns and drifts along the historical cobbled lanes and charming cafes, lakeside promenades and casual boats that glide along the water. Your flight will land at Malpensa Airport in Milan, where your private transfer will greet you upon arrival.

You will travel through the lush countryside with the life of the city far behind you. Your hotel will blend the opulence of 16th-century aristocracy with the comforts of contemporary luxury spread across 25 acres of manicured gardens. The aroma of blossoming roses accompanies the scent of pine that emanates from the bordering forest. The Old World charm welcomes you to Italy, embellishing the day with unforgettable romantic detail. A funicular trundles up the hillside to reach the Brunate, a small town nearly 1,600 feet above the lakeshores. Follow an undulating path outside of town to visit the secluded lighthouse that rests on the nearby peak for a private moment with your loved one as you overlook the rolling summits that lead to Switzerland.

In the morning, the streets of Como fill with the aroma of fresh espresso drifting from the street cafes. Servers set out tables and chairs along the lakeside promenade for patrons to enjoy the view of the water as it reflects on the surrounding cliffs, trees, and granite peaks. Your guide will greet you at your hotel after breakfast and lead you to the marina to board your boat to Bellagio. You will view Lake Como as a whole for the first time, noticing first the pastel hues of the buildings found along the waterfront. The morning air is cool on your skin, and the boat causes gentle ripples in the water as you reach the village nestled between the two southern branches of the lake. Narrow lanes paved with cobblestones weave between the medieval homes topped with orange-tiled roofs.

The steps lead from the promenade to the main avenue of Via Garibaldi. Boutique shops and quiet cafes border the walkway and continue to Piazza della Chiesa, home to the Romanesque Basilica di San Giacomo. Venture to Villa Serbelloni for a romantic stroll through the gardens. The forest encloses the hill and offers a feeling of seclusion while you wander hand-in-hand along the walkways of the manicured gardens. Azaleas blossom and roses fill the air with a sweet, herbaceous aroma and the ruins of the former fortress that once encompassed the estate now decorates the gardens as a piece of town history and provide stunning views.

In the morning, the aroma of fresh strawberries and cream will waft through the doors of a nearby gelateria that serves a popular breakfast of a scoop of homemade gelato accompanying a cup of hot chocolate. Your guide will greet you in your hotel lobby eager to take you around the Lake’s District and the beauty of the Lombardy region. Take to the streets of Milan to enjoy the fashionable shops and view da Vinci’s Last Supper or cross the border into Switzerland to visit the lakeside town of Lugano. Once in the town of Lugano, the scenery looks the same, but the atmosphere will have taken on a Mediterranean quality as the homes spread along the hills that overlook the lake shimmer with orange-tiled rooftops.

The eponymous lake encompasses 19 square miles, surrounded by cypress trees and blossoming orange trees. Sailboats glide across the water and carnations blossom near the promenade. A unique path takes you to the Alprose Chocolate Museum, which offers a comprehensive history of the enticing treat, followed by a free tasting of traditional Swiss chocolate. The subtle aroma of chocolate fills the galleries, with fascinating tales that connect the delightful confection to the gods of Central and South America. Instead of indulging in seductive chocolate, you could make your way to Bellinzona for an enchanting excursion amongst the three historical castles that rise over the alpine passes before venturing to Isola Comacina.

The alpine light will wash over the Gothic elements of Como’s main Cathedral. The mixture of Romanesque, Renaissance and Baroque features accentuate the marble embellishments. The structure was erected between the 14th and 18th centuries and account for the unique blend of historical styles amidst the octagonal dome. After breakfast, your private transfer will greet you in the lobby of your villa and escort you west towards the gorgeous seaside town of Portofino. En route, you will stop in the town of Piacenza that is located over the regional border of Lombardy in Emilia-Romagna.

The historical city center retains a connection to medieval and Renaissance history in the preserved homes well embodied by Palazzo del Comune. The town hall was originally erected in the 13th century with marble and red brick, and the colors flicker against the tan facades of the surrounding structures. The elegant architecture creates a majestic ambiance emphasized by the aromas of fresh baked brioche and espresso. Shopping arcades surround the ground level near two 17th century bronze statues depicting horses in motion. View the former prestige and wealth of Genoa while strolling along the neighboring palaces of Via Garibaldi before reaching the charming seaside esplanade of Portofino.

The sunlight swill spread across the Mediterranean Alps, and turn the jade leaves iridescent. Fishing boats return to the marina in Portofino with nets and boxes filled with fish ready for market as sailboats linger in the water beside the tree-covered promontory, their masts wading in the calm turquoise Mediterranean. Vibrant lobster, sea bass, and mussels fill the marketplace, and local restaurateurs roam eagerly to find the freshest ingredients. The day is yours to bask in the beauty of the Mediterranean port town at your preferred pace.

The rich ambiance will take you back in time to when Hollywood starlets, such as Ingrid Bergman and Frank Sinatra, would sip wine while watching the boats from a prominent view of a hilltop villa. The paths leading into the rolling mountain ridges meander beneath olive terraces and citrus trees as the pastel hues of the tower-homes glint in the passing sunlight. You will find a villa in the hillside decorated with painted garlands and ribbons draped over the doorways. The majestic arches and portals are actually decorative elements of trompe l’oeil, used to embellish the features of the villa, such as the bricks, friezes, and statuary with three-dimensional elegance.

The fishermen return to the marina in the morning, and their boats shimmer with vibrant pastel colors that contrast with the sapphire waters of the Mediterranean Sea. After breakfast, the two of you will board a small boat and make your way to the famous villages that collectively make up Cinque Terre. The secluded seaside towns opened to the rest of Italy in the late 19th century after the railway helped to make the region accessible and unify the country.

Seas spray mists into the air from the hull of the boat with refreshing drops of the Mediterranean landing on your cheeks. Before the boat docks in the small marina at Monterosso, the most northerly town of Cinque Terre, you will pass the statue of Il Gigante. The colossal figure of Neptune stands on the cliff and reaches a height of 45 feet. He resembles Atlas as he holds the foundations of Villa Pastine, which overlooks the water. The staggering figure offers the perfect introduction to Cinque Terre, embodying the larger than life ambiance squeezed into the charming medieval streets.

The Dawn Tower remains on the promontory opposite Monterosso’s main avenue. Vineyards overtake the terraced mountain ridges, and boutique shops line the narrow cobbled lanes at the base of the colorful tower-homes. The scent of garlic and basil drifts from the cafes and restaurants that serve fresh-made pesto, a sauce that has helped make the Ligurian region famous. Walk along the streets and the seaside promenade to bask in the romance of the water that splashes at the pebbled beach and the enchanting medieval tower that guards the cobbled lanes before continuing onward to Vernazza.

In the morning, you will indulge in the refreshing sea breeze and the aroma of freshly baked pastries. After breakfast, you will once again venture to the marina, this time to travel along the enchanting coastline and ridges of secluded Cinque Terre, and continue onward to the famous Gulf of Poets, named for the Romantic writers who enjoyed the splendors of the coastline, including Percy Shelley and Lord Byron. Your boat will dock in the town of Lerici, which was originally founded by the Etruscans. Gold sand sweeps across the beaches and graceful palm trees imitate the colorful tower-homes that line the esplanade.

The medieval origins of the streets are evident in the narrow alleys and laneways that are overflowing with boutique shops and cafes. Pisans erected the castle in the 8th century to protect the coastline from the Genovese Navy, and you will take to the gorgeous seaside path that winds around the castle base. The aroma of fresh prawns grilled on an open flame and dusted with lemon juice fills the air. San Rocco Tower adorns the skyline with foundations laid by Roman conquerors. You will board the boat once more to survey the coastline and splash in the waves along the shore before arriving in the luxurious marina of Portovenere, which is set beneath the staggering silhouette of Doria Castle.

The yachts in the harbor of Santa Margherita contrast with the rustic palm trees as they rustle in the sea breeze. The fish market brims with locals eager to find the perfect catch for dinner as fishers display gorgeous marlin, sea bass, and lobster caught earlier that morning. The nearby castle adorns the promontory near the Frati Cappuccini Church as Villa Durazzo represents the grandeur of the former aristocracy who took refuge along the upper terraces of the hillside. Santa Margherita neighbors Portofino and offers an easy visit to view the garden terraces and captivating marketplace. Your private transfer will greet you at the hotel when you are ready to escort you to Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport for your flight home. You will indulge in the beauty of the coastline one last time during your scenic drive and embrace one last romantic moment during your unforgettable honeymoon in Italy.