Lake Como

About this trip

The deep sapphire waters of Lake Como have long served as the private playground for Europe’s elite, framed by the jagged silhouettes of the Grigna mountains. While most visitors glimpse the shore from crowded public ferries, Ultra Travel secures your place aboard a private Riva wooden speedboat, where the mahogany hull cuts silently through the wake toward the neoclassical grandeur of Villa del Balbianello. This itinerary bypasses the typical tourist circuit to focus on the artisanal heritage of the region, granting exclusive access to the historic silk workshops of Bellagio where master weavers still produce the scarves that grace Milanese runways. Life on the lake unfolds in a series of polished, sensory details. You will feel the cool, heavy drape of unfinished silk between your fingers before retiring to the terrace of Villa d’Este for a sunset aperitivo. Here, the scent of blooming jasmine mingles with the crisp effervescence of a Franciacorta sparkling wine as the lights of the hillside villages begin to flicker like fallen stars against the water. Mornings begin with the aroma of fresh espresso and the sight of seaplanes gliding over the lake’s glassy surface, followed by strolls through terraced gardens where ancient cypresses stand sentinel. This soothening retreat suits the discerning traveler who values quiet sophistication and the slow tempo of northern Italy. For the best views of the liquid horizon, request a lake-facing suite on the third floor of your residence to ensure the morning mist remains your only neighbor.