This gorgeous lake region may be a neighbor to Switzerland
but here the love of food and wine is pure Italian.
Join us for a week of outstanding eating, meeting new friends and celebration on this special Vagabond
Gourmet menu.
May 24 - 31, 2008 - Cost: $3,700.00 per person Double Occupancy, Exclusive of Airfare
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7 Nights in Lakeside Villa
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Village Hopping in Private Boat
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Arrival and departure transfer
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Private Chef & hands-on cooking
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All meals & Unlimited wine at Villa Bellini
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Chauffeured tour & tasting Valltellina vineyards
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Dinner in one of Lake Como’s best restaurants
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Lunch in Bellagio
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Day trip to Lake Orta
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Exquisite Feast in Formal Villa Passalacqua Gardens
TRAVEL ICONS
Day 1 - Saturday
Transfer from Milan to Lake Como – Upon arrival you will certainly want to walk in the many gardens and enjoy our terraces. The Villa Bellini is part of a grand estate called Villa Passalacqua which is one of the most remarkable villas on Lake Como. Perched in upper Moltrasio its property runs from high up in the village all the way down to the lake’s shore. In a quiet corner of this magnificent estate are the Villa Bellini and our home for a week. What is so very special is we surrounded by the Villa Passalacqua gardens including orchards, roses and the formal Tuscan gardens all with stunning lake views.
After aperitifs and antipasto on the terrace we welcome you for our first dinner.
Day 2 - Sunday
Full breakfast before we discover the magic that is Lake Como. One has not seen Lake Como if it hasn’t been experienced from the water and we have our own private boat for village hopping. The real treasure of Lake Como lies in its quaint villages that dot the mountains surrounding the lake. A stroll through any of the ancient villages on Lake Como includes medieval and renaissance churches, charming cafes, winding alleys and striking views of the lake.
We dock our boat at the neighboring village of Cernobbio a beautiful little village with wonderful shops, food and wine stores. The outdoor market, resting in front of the lake, is a great place to buy fresh fish, meat, vegetables, cheese, and breads for a picnic on the water and supplies for cooking later.
The bright and airy kitchen on our villa welcomes you to learn the steps of making a perfect saffron risotto and grilled lake perch. We’ll prepare several courses for each evening’s feast highlighting the Lombardy cuisine like osso bucco, polenta, gnocchi and the using the fantastic regional cheeses, gorgonzola ,mascarpone, and taleggio, to make creamy sauces and sinful desserts.
Day 3 - Monday
After breakfast, we boat to Bellagio is considered by many to be the most beautiful village in Europe. It enjoys an expansive promenade with ornate railings bedecked in geraniums and bougainvillea and creating a lasting Mediterranean impression Bellagio has numerous delicious trattorias resting on stone patios with stunning views of the lake and Menaggio on the other side of the lake.
After lunch in one of the trattorias we’ll return to our boat and a little further up the lake to a very special place, a jewel of a village Varenna with cavernous, winding alleyways and a perfect terrace for café correcto and dolce.
Dinner at the villa again with hands-on lessons in our well equipped kitchen.
Day 4 - Tuesday
Today is a wine tour of Valltellina vineyards, & tastings, cooking at the Villa. Our private coach arrives after breakfast to bring us to a wine production region that is dramatic and unique. The spectacular terraces of the Valtellina vineyards are carved out rock and although similar to Barolos, these wines made from handpicked Nebbio grapes have aromatics of wood and fruit flavors that are a little lighter than their Piemontese cousins. But when blended with sun power and dried before pressing pack a real kick of intense flavor and are truly special wines like Nera’s Sforzato di Valtellina D.O.C.G.
After an afternoon of tasting and lunch we return to relax in the gardens of the villa or to assist with whatever culinary delights the chef is conjuring up in our kitchen.
Day 5 - Wednesday
Relax, local guest Chef
Lessons in afternoon, cooking & dinner at the Villa. You may opt to start your day with the pleasure of a beautiful mountain hike just behind the Villa .Other trails, in different parts of the lake, have gorgeous views as well so there are many paths to choose from.
We’ll be going to the market to find specialties needed for an exquisite banquet we plan to celebrate and dine, like the many nobles who have loved and enjoyed this prestigious garden paradise. This grand location deserves nothing less than grand style.
There is much to do in our kitchen, meats to marinate and stocks to bubble and to help we’ve invited a local chef to give us a hand.
Day 6 - Thursday
After breakfast we have
a private boat for the day for touring or just floating on the
lake with a scrumptious picnic along the beach or in a hidden
cove. There is still plenty of sightseeing or visits to see Varenna,
Villa Carlota, Menaggio, Villa Monastero or perhaps a cool drink
at Villa d’ Este?
The village of Como is home to several elegant stores that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Some of the world’s greatest designers are found in Como specializing in silks and names like Versace, Prada and Armani waiting to greet shoppers.
When you return the afternoon festivities are being planned for a lavish dinner feast overlooking the exquisite views from our terrace. Raise a glass; it doesn’t get much better than this!
Day 7 - Friday
After a leisurely morning and lunch we drive to what is called the most romantic lakes in Italy. Orta San Giulio is picture perfect with deep blue waters, and a ferry to Isola San Guilio where a 12th century Basilia await you in this tiny island-village.
For our last meal together we dine at a popular culinary hot spot with breathtaking views of the lake from the terrace. Many believe this restaurant has the best food of all, you will be the judge.
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Transfer from Milan to Lake Como – Upon arrival you will certainly want to walk in the many gardens and enjoy our terraces. The Villa Bellini is part of a grand estate called Villa Passalacqua which is one of the most remarkable villas on Lake Como. Perched in upper Moltrasio its property runs from high up in the village all the way down to the lake’s shore. In a quiet corner of this magnificent estate are the Villa Bellini and our home for a week. What is so very special is we surrounded by the Villa Passalacqua gardens including orchards, roses and the formal Tuscan gardens all with stunning lake views.
Full breakfast before we discover the magic that is Lake Como. One has not seen Lake Como if it hasn’t been experienced from the water and we have our own private boat for village hopping. The real treasure of Lake Como lies in its quaint villages that dot the mountains surrounding the lake. A stroll through any of the ancient villages on Lake Como includes medieval and renaissance churches, charming cafes, winding alleys and striking views of the lake.
After breakfast, we boat to Bellagio is considered by many to be the most beautiful village in Europe. It enjoys an expansive promenade with ornate railings bedecked in geraniums and bougainvillea and creating a lasting Mediterranean impression Bellagio has numerous delicious trattorias resting on stone patios with stunning views of the lake and Menaggio on the other side of the lake.
Today is a wine tour of Valltellina vineyards, & tastings, cooking at the Villa. Our private coach arrives after breakfast to bring us to a wine production region that is dramatic and unique. The spectacular terraces of the Valtellina vineyards are carved out rock and although similar to Barolos, these wines made from handpicked Nebbio grapes have aromatics of wood and fruit flavors that are a little lighter than their Piemontese cousins. But when blended with sun power and dried before pressing pack a real kick of intense flavor and are truly special wines like Nera’s Sforzato di Valtellina D.O.C.G.