Travel Review: 8-Night Italy Vacation, Milan, Lakes Como & Maggiore, Varenna, Hiking, Ferry Boats, Castles, Gardens

A few highlights were seeing the original Last Supper in Milan (with our private guide), walking 2 historic trails at Lake Como - the Sentiero del Viendante and the Strada Regina - the former with our private hiking guide, and the second by ourselves.

We very much enjoyed traveling across Lake Como on the ferry boats. 

Our guide in Milan was extremely knowledgeable about all the places he took us to and had insights on the Last Supper that made me see it with new eyes, though of course seeing it in situ is an amazing experience in itself.

Our Viandante hiking guide was also a font of information about the history of the trail, as well as the plants that grew along it and the local economy prior to modern times. And hiking the trail itself was a wonderful experience.

The view from the Castle in Varenna was spectacular. We were very glad we stayed in Varenna, which I had requested, rather than the more touristy Bellagio, which is fun to visit, but we were glad we stayed across the lake in Varenna.

The 2-hour private tour of the lake was great - the captain stopped at many interesting sights and imparted some very entertaining tidbits of information. And we LOVED our 30 min stop at the gardens of Villa Balbianello - it really uses its spectacular setting on a promontory to maximum effect- fabulous lake views everywhere.