Lugano to Como and Villa del Balbianello: Private day trip

Como has long been a place of historical significance. It was the arch-nemesis of Milan, birthplace of Pope Innocent XI and scientist Alessandro Volta, and an early adopter of the printed word. One of the city’s oldest structures, the 4th century San Carpoforo, was built on a former temple to Mercury, and houses the remains of Saint Carpophorus and other local martyrs. The famous Gothic cathedral is flanked by statues of the famous, local born comaschi Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger, and the neoclassical Villa Olmo, has housed Napoleon, Franz Ferdinand I, Giuseppe Garibaldi, and other eminent figures. To best experience the natural wonders of Lombardy, take some extra time to ride the funicular from Como to nearby Brunate, 715m up a mountain. Como is so renowned that in 1902 William Rockefeller purchased the fountain from the main square and moved it to the Bronx Zoo.

In 1785, Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini purchased a 13th century monastery, and built Villa del Balbianello in its place. Over the years, the estate’s illustrious owners tailored the estate to suit their tastes, with Count Guido Monzino, leader of the first Italian expedition to summit Mount Everest, filling the interior with artefacts from his expeditions, and adding secret passageways. The villa’s groomed grounds and breathtaking views have wowed visitors and Hollywood alike, and make it a popular location for weddings. Inside, the villa’s various buildings, visitors will find French and English furnishings from the 17th and 18th centuries, glass paintings, and ethnic sculptures and artefacts from around the world. The upper floor is dedicated to the life of Guido Monzini, and is filled with his belongings, including one of the dogsleds he used to reach the North Pole. The Villa is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays, and from November through March. Please book your tickets in advance at https://ticket.fondoambiente.it/events/villa-del-balbianello/villa-del-balbianello