Easter 2019 on Como Lake

The Easter holidays are an excellent opportunity to visit Lake Como. After the long winter break, the short and cold days, spring has finally arrived, nature wakes up and the landscape of the lake takes on new fantastic shades: it is an explosion of colors and perfumes.

With the arrival of spring and Easter, the outdoor tables of the bars begin to fill up, the hotels reopen, the lake terraces of the restaurants are once again set up for lunch, the walks along the lake reach their maximum splendor.

In these Easter holidays, taje a holiday or even just a trip out of town to visit the main villages of the center of the lake: Bellagio, Menaggio, Tremezzina and Varenna. Nature, history, culture and fun in a breathtaking landscape welcome you.

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Discover the ”jewels” of the Como Lake

Tremezzina: a cultural and naturalistic hike through the villages

There’s no finer way to explore Tremezzina than a walk along the Greenway of Lake Como, a pleasant 6 miles (10) km long hike through Tremezzina’s charming hamlets (Colonno, Sala Comacina, Ossuccio, Lenno, Mezzegra, Tremezzo and Griante) partly just above the villages and partly along the lake.

There are many treasures of cultural and natural interest along the way: historic villages, rural views, lake landscapes, buildings and prestigious gardens.
The Greenway is an itinerary developed on the existing network of connections, so you can either walk along it in its entirety, in about 3 hours and a half, or enter the track at different points of intersection with the road network and public services.

Along the way there are some good restaurants where you can enjoy delicious Easter menu: Pizzeria Restaurant Ranch – Lenno, Antica Trattoria del Risorgimento – Mezzegra, Restaurant Casa del Portico – village of Bonzanigo in Mezzegra, brewery and restaurant Casa Aquadulza – Tremezzo, restaurant La Cucina della Marianna – Cadenabbia, with a beautiful terrace overlooking the lake where you can eat, if the weather is fine. Have a look at each restaurant page and book in advance to reserve your place.

We report that on Easter day, 21 April 2019, from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, Christian Lavernier’s guitar concert will be held at the splendid location of Villa del Balbianello, as part of the LakeComo International Music Festival 2019. Info on costs and reservations.

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Menaggio: landscape, history, art and entertainment

Thanks to its central location Menaggio is an excellent starting point to discover Lake Como. the town is characterized by a central square and a beautiful lakeside which offers a unique landscape. Menaggio has ancient origins and in its historical centre there is an important artistic heritage which can be discovered through an interesting historical-artistic itinerary that will bring you to know the town in depth, while the nice quiz itinerary, proposed by the Tourist Office of Menaggio to families, is a fun and active way to discover Menaggio with children.

Just above the village of Menaggio is the Val Sanagra Natural Park, with its rich flora, fauna and ancient rural settlements. The Park is an ideal place to take a walk (there are itineraries suitable for everyone) surrounded by nature and by numerous examples of traditional activities. Download the park map and the Park Trail Network.

For those who love fishing, the Senagra stream is an excellent destination. Every Sunday fishermen, travellers in search of refreshment or inhabitants eager to immerse themselves in the green to walk or simply have a picnic, like the traditional Easter Monday picnic, gather here.

We report that on Easter day, April 21, 2019, from 9:00 am to 20:00 pm will be held the market “Creatively” 2019. You can browse and make acquired along the flowery lake of Menaggio and Piazza Garibaldi.
There will also be playful workshops for children with games of the past and of today.

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Bellagio: “The Pearl of Lake Como”

After visiting Menaggio, a trip to Bellagio is a must, especially during the Easter holidays when the villas reopen, a real feather in the cap of the bellagina community.
Located at the top of the so-called Larian Triangle, at the base of the promontory which divides the lake into the branches of Como and Lecco, Bellagio is one of the most famous and elegant towns of Lake Como.
From Menaggio or Tremezzina you can reach Bellagio by boat, stop San Giovanni. From here you can enter from the old town of Loppia to Villa Melzi d’Eril, one of the most famous villas on Lake Como.
In spring the gardens of the villa offer an explosion of colors and fragrances: Villa Melzi offers visitors the opportunity to relax in the nature of its spectacular English park where you can admire rare and exotic plants and secular trees.
After visiting the villa, we recommend leaving the side of Bellagio in order to visit the town.
It is worth visiting the characteristic old town of Pescallo, a small ancient town set between the greenery and the lake, with extraordinary sceneries and many romantic corners to discover.

Consult timetables and costs of Villa Melzi.
Consult timetables Navigation Lake Como – Lake Center

We report that on Monday of the Angel, April 22, 2019 at 6:00 pm, at the beautiful Basilica of St. James will be held the free-access concert of the Bellagio Festival Orchestra. The notes of Johann Sebastian Bach will bring a selection of the six Brandenburg Concerts, composed between 1717 and 1723.

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Varenna: a charming town to discover

Varenna is a small fishing town, just a few minutes from Lecco, a mosaic of pastel-coloured houses overlooking the lake, narrow streets and picturesque stairways which offer priceless views of the lake and the mountains.
During your Easter holidays, give yourself a trip to discover this beautiful village full of picturesque corners and architectural testimonies of great value, such as the medieval Church of San Giorgio, the Villas Monastero and Cypresses (open from March to October) and the Castle of Vezio (ancient Lombard fortification overlooking the town of Varenna with a splendid view of the lake and the Lombard Pre-Alps).

Going down the stairs you can see the famous lakeside promenade of Varenna: you have to walk the picturesque stretch between the rock and water on the right of the pier, called the walk of lovers: it is a short pedestrian path which leads from the pier of Varenna to the center of the village, a walkway of a few hundred meters cantilevered over the water from where you can admire the lake, the mountains and the small colorful houses perched at the foot of the rock face.

We report that during the Easter weekend, from 20 to 22 April 2019, will be held on the lakeside of Varenna the traditional Festival of chocolate, an event not to be missed for gourmands and not! For those who extend the Easter holidays we recommend not to miss the picnic of April 25 at the characteristic source of Fiumelatte. A picnic with lots of good local food such as sausages, cheese, cold cuts and lavech ribs! Limited places, reservation required!

 

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A tour of the villas

Along the shores of Lake Como you can admire historic villas of great charm in which famous people have holidayed, surrounded by parks and gardens Treasure chest of botanical treasures of rare beauty:

Villa Carlotta, Tremezzina: located in a panoramic position on the shore of Lake Como, in front of a breathtaking view of the Grigne and the village of Bellagio, the villa is famous for both the art collections preserved within it, and for the magnificent botanical park of 70.
Information on timetables, costs and how to get to Villa Carlotta

Villa del Balbianello, Tremezzina, a good of FAI, located in one of the most picturesque locations of the lake, reachable on foot from Lenno with an uphill stretch, which can be covered in about 25 minutes, or by lake with Taxi Boat service from Lido di Lenno. The Villa is surrounded by a charming garden, organized on different levels, full of ornamental trees, including a majestic holm oak and plane trees pruned to candlestick.
Information on timetables, costs and how to get to Villa del Balbianello

Villa Monastero, Varenna is one of the main attractions of the territory for its strategic position in terms of history, landscape and environment. The villa has a Botanical Garden that extends for almost 2 km along the lake front from Varenna to Fiumelatte, a Museum House and it is a Conference Center.
Information on timetables, costs and how to get to Villa Monastero

Villa Melzi, Bellagio artistic and botanical jewel overlooking Lake Como.the beautiful gardens of Villa Melzi extend along the shore of the lake and enjoy an enchanting panoramic view of the Tremezzina.
Information on timetables, costs and how to get to Villa Melzi

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Take a boat trip

An experience not to be missed for those who visit Lake Como is to take a boat ride to admire “from the lake” the beauties that make it unique and so famous all over the world (boat rental: Shipshape Motorboat Rental | Galli Boat Service).
Isola Comacina is among the most interesting archaeological sites in northern Italy for the early Middle Ages. The park of the island is open every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, while the Antiquarium Museum is open every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, except Mondays and Tuesdays.

Do not miss a boat trip to discover the fascinating villages of Bellagio (the pearl of Lake Como), Menaggio (stretched out on a small promontory where Lake Como reveals itself in all its majesty), Varenna (beautiful village located in the Lecco branch of the lake). Consult the timetable of the Navigation Lake Como.
Ticket office and information points at the Acquarium Museum.

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Mass at the Santuario del Soccorso, a UNESCO world heritage site.

For those who want to attend the Easter mass and at the same time enjoy a pleasant hike overlooking the lake, we recommend the ascent to the Sanctuary of the Beata Vergine del Soccorso, where the Easter mass is held at 10:30 am.  Along the itinerary that coasts the Sacred Mount of Ossuccio, it is possible to admire the fourteen chapels that illustrate the Mysteries of the Rosary through 230 life-size statues, true masterpieces of art of the Intelvese sculptors. Once on the terrace of the Sanctuary you can enjoy a splendid panoramic view of the Tremezzina and Lake Como.
For a happy hour or lunch you can book at the nearby Trattoria del Santuario.

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Easter Mass timetables in Tremezzina and surroundings

For those who on Easter day want to attend the Holy Mass we report below the timetables:

Parishes of Lenno, Ossuccio, Tremezzo

• 08:45 am – Church of Santissima Trinità – Frazione di Masnate – Lenno
• 10:00 am – Church of Santo Stefano – Lenno
• 11:00 am – Church of Santi Eufemia e Vincenzo – Ossuccio

Tremezzo, Tremezzina

• 08:30 am – Chiesa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo – Frazione di Volesio
• 11:00 am – Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Lorenzo

Griante

• 10:00 am – Church of Santi Nabore e Felice

Menaggio

• 10:30 – Church of Santo Stefano

Bellagio

• 8:00 – 11:00 am : Basilica of San Giacomo
• 6:00 pm – Church of Annunciazione della Beata Vergine in Visgnola

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Easter in the town

Every year during the Easter holidays the city of Como comes alive thanks to the traditional Easter Fair.
From Holy Thursday to Easter Monday along Viale Varese, from Viale Piazza Cacciatori delle Alpi to Viale Cattaneo, takes place the Fair, a market with a wide variety of products and food delicacies: crafts, colors and flavors for all tastes.

For those who wish it on Good Friday in the city takes place the religious rite of the traditional procession with the Crucifix.
On Easter day Mass is celebrated at the Cathedral of Como at 10:00 am.

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Easter Monday: fun for children and more

For those who visit Lake Como with children there are plenty of opportunities for fun.
For Easter Monday, Grandi Giardini Italiani network organizes the Botanical Treasure Hunt.
It is an excellent opportunity to bring children closer to the garden and nature, making them discover and recognize in a playful way the trees and plants in the parks of some beautiful villas of Lake Como. Monday, April 22 2019, you can take a walk and a nice botanical hunt at:

• Villa Olmo – Como
• Villa Carlotta – Tremezzina
• Villa Monastero – Varenna
• Villa Melzi d’Eril – Bellagio

While the little ones are busy in the Botanical Treasure Hunt, parents and all adults are offered special guided tours to discover the gardens, with the opportunity to participate in events or visit the art exhibitions in progress.

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If you have decided to spend your Easter holidays 2019 on Lake Como, instead of a simple day trip out of town, you just have to book one of the accommodation facilities of the area.