About the tour
Discover two countries in one unforgettable day on this private tour from Milan to Lake Como and Lugano. Your English-speaking driver will collect you from your hotel in a fully equipped Mercedes Benz vehicle, and within an hour you’ll be winding along the panoramic SS340 lake road to Villa Balbianello – one of Como’s most spectacular villas, former home of explorer Guido Monzino and a filming location for James Bond’s Casino Royale and Star Wars. From there, your journey continues along the scenic route through Porlezza and across the Swiss border to Lugano, the elegant heart of Italian-speaking Switzerland, where you’ll have free time to stroll the lakeside paths, browse luxurious boutiques, and enjoy a leisurely lunch by the water. After around 10 hours of Mediterranean and Alpine scenery, your private driver will return you to your hotel in Milan.
Gallery
Itinerary
Lake Como and Lugano day trip from Milan
The tour will begin with your private driver collecting you from your hotel in Milan (another custom location in the area can be agreed) with a luxury sedan or minivan. Discover the beauty of the most elegant and third-largest lake in Italy with its incredible Mediterranean and Alpine scenery, spectacular views and authentic villas.
Within an hour, you will reach Lake Como and continue driving along the panoramic lake road SS340 to reach your first tour site: Villa Balbianello. The property was lastly owned by the Italian explorer and philanthropist Guido Monzino, who donated the building and gardens to the FAI (National Trust of Italy). The Villa now hosts an extremely beautiful, rich and complete museum of Monzino’s expeditions and also includes many art masterpieces of his collection. More recently the property was used as movie-set for James Bond Casino Royale and StarWars II Episode films.
After visiting the Villa, you will continue together with your personal driver on the panoramic route heading to Lugano. The road passes by the Italian and Swiss Alps, driving by Porlezza, in about 1hr you will reach the most important city in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland. The city of Lugano faces directly on the homonymous lake, and it is characterized by elegance, luxurious boutiques, and the famous financial district. There, you can enjoy some free time walking through the city paths and enjoy a good lunch by the lake.
After Lugano, the tour will conclude and your private driver will take you back to your hotel in Milan or other desired location.
Please note that Villa Balbianello is open to public every working-day, excluding Mondays and Wednesdays (alternatively the tour can include Villa Carlotta). In addition from October to March some of the villas may be closed.
Details
- DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION: Your hotel in Milan (a different location may be agreed)
- DEPARTURE TIME: suggested departure from 08:00am to 09:30am
- DURATION: 10 hrs
- INCLUDED: English speaking driver, Fully equipped Mercedes Benz vehicle, WI-FI on board
- NOT INCLUDED: Entrance fees to Villa Balbianello, Food and Drinks
- LANGUAGES: English – Italian
You can customize your Lake Como and Lugano day trip from Milan according to your needs and preferences, our staff would be happy to inform you about different options, alternative routes and sites.
*Please note that Villa Balbianello is open to public every working-day, excluding Mondays and Wednesdays (alternatively the tour can include Villa Carlotta). In addition from October to March some of the villas may be closed.
