Como Center and Villa Olmo Half Day Walking Tour

A tour to discover the highlights of the centre of Como and relax with a pleasant walk on the so called "stroll of the Romantic villas", where on one side we'll have the lake and the view and, on the other, the mansions built here since the 18th century. The lakeside promenade connecting the public gardens area with Villa Olmo is where the locals go when they need a relaxing break. I love the history of this place, created by the mayor of Como in the 50s by convincing the private owners of the villas there that everyone had the right to enjoy the natural beauty of this corner of Como. His name was Lino Gelpi and the promenade, which will take us on old boathouses, glimpses of historical gardens, swans and ducks, centuries-old trees and remarkable architectures is now named after him. Here is where, in the Renaissance, it was built the first history museum. At the end, if open, we'll enter Villa Olmo, a good example of an historical villa with a frescoed ballroom and a 92 seats opera house inside.

1 - Pick up at your hotel if in the city centre/meeting in Piazza Cavour/train station 2 - Stroll in the city centre. Depending on you, this tour, around 1. 5 hrs, may include the following highlights: Cathedral (also inside), piazza Volta, via Vittani, piazza San Fedele, church of San Fedele (also inside), shopping streets of Como, Casa del Fascio (from outside), Teatro Sociale (from outside), piazza Cavour, public gardens area with Tempio Voltiano (from outside), walk on Diga. * the places listed above are ALL located in the city centre, approx. max. 15 mnts walking one from the others 3 - Walk (15 mnts from Piazza Cavour) to reach the "stroll of the villas": we'll see some magnificent properties like Villa Saporiti, Villa Gallia, Villa Volontè Mondolfo and their gardens, all from outside 4 - Guided visit of Villa Olmo (if open): entrance hall, dining room, ballroom, chapel, theatre. . . 5 - If we have time, visit of the gardens: the Italian garden and the Romantic park 6 - Thanks e Arrivederci