Villa del Balbianello Lake Como, Lake Como

Villa Balbianello Gardens, Italy

Explore the Cities and Towns of Lake Como

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Over 20 years of crafting exceptional journeys across Villa del Balbianello Lake Como

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Our team lives and works here, offering insight beyond the landmarks.

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Overview

Villa del Balbianello is one of the most beautiful gardens in the northern Italian Lake district, located on Lake Como and it occupies one of the most idyllic positions on the lake.

Its wooded peninsula juts out into the water almost opposite Bellagio, with breathtaking views up and down the lake.  Arriving from the water, it is nothing short of mythical and, climbing up the stairs from the water, you will see spectacular views of the lake in all directions. 

The panorama is best enjoyed from the open loggia built at the highest point by a discerning eighteenth-century Cardinal Angelo Durini.

The original name of the property was Dosso di Lavedo, as Balbianello's rugged promontory is known, was to become a favorite subject for romantic artists who loved to paint the villa perched on top of its sheer, rocky outcrop with the snowy peaks of the Engadine mountains, shimmering far away across the water.  

Stendhal took a boat trip that passed in front of Balbianello, and a great admired scenery, which reminded him of Scotland. 

This garden is best visited and entered from the lake itself, since the garden is best viewed from the water.  It is not easy once you are on Lake Como to arrange water transportation and we do recommend doing so in advance and booking a tour.

We do offer a tour by water that departs from anywhere on Lake Como and it is a great tour for families and groups of friends to book together.  You can see the tour here:

http://www.italygroupspecialists.com/tours/lake-como-by-boat-with-villa-balbianello.htm

For more information on this tour, or other great recommendations for getting the most out of your time on Lake Como, get in touch with the experts: team@italyvacationspecialists.com 

Call toll free in North America: 1-866-779-2565 or direct in Italy at: +39 392-993-3869

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Villa del Balbianello Lake Como

Stories That Stay With You

Here's what our guests share about their unforgettable journeys

“We're home now from the most amazing trip to Italy! I can't thank you enough for your efforts and coordination of what was without question the finest vacations I've been on to date.”
[Read More] Carol Carson
“In September of 2018 I brought a group of 12 from Venice to Sicily and organized all of my services with the Italy Vacation Specialists. Being a travel agent and in the business, I know how complicated organizing travel arrangements can be in Italy and the IVS team took a huge burden off of me! I would like to start of by saying "THANK YOU" both for the amazing job you did on our trip. There was n”
[Read More] Ann Brownell, KHM Travel Group
“Jesse & Giuseppe, Sandy and I have been looking through my slides of our trip to Southern Italy. We had such a good time with you and Giuseppe that we wanted to let you know again. You were the best guides ever.”
[Read More] Bob & Sandy
“The trip was great; we appreciate all the hard work you and your team invested to make our experience a once in a lifetime trip. We appreciate all the attention to the details, in particular Giuseppe spending the time and the focus with us on the road and as we were exploring your great country.”
[Read More] Leon and Michele
“Jesse, There are no words to describe the fabulous time we had in Italy. Everything went as you promised. Absolutely no problems! The venues were fabulous. The guides were punctual and helpful. It couldn't have worked out better. You and your staff deserve high praise for the quality and efficiency of your work. BTW, Guiseppe was an absolute delight. We enjoyed his informative and effervescent per”
[Read More] Jo Ann West
“In August 2018, my family of four and myself travelled from Vancouver, BC to Rome Italy and spent 3 weeks touring Italy with IVS. This company had come highly recommended by many friends and associates of ours who had used them before and indeed to say they do an outstanding job is an understatement. You can tell while being in Italy that it is one complicated place to run tours in, just by the sh”
[Read More] Vijaya Sunil CPA, CGA
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[Read More] Robin and Kumi Bruun, Tokyo Japan
“As a travel agent, but also a traveler to Italy, thee is no other company I would recommend than the Italy Vacation Specialists. Not only do they really care about what they are doing, they also really know Italy and try to educate many people about ways they can best see the country and not fall into tourist traps. I have been on 4 trips with the IVS team, firstly when they did my first 2 trips f”
[Read More] Laura Chomiak, Travel Agent
“I am a travel agent with All About Honeymoons and I would highly recommend Italy Vacation Specialists. Jessica was wonderful in helping us plan in a last minute anniversary vacation during high season without any issues. She even checked on our clients while on vacation to make sure things were going well. I plan on using them again soon for all my future bookings!”
[Read More] Tammy Joyce, All About Honeymoons
“I have traveled to Italy 2x with the IVS for my own pleasure trips and 2x for business with IVS. These guys really pay attention and make your trip go like clockwork. Italy is nuts, just saying! There are so many rules and restrictions now, so we did not want to drive ourselves. Having traveled with them many times and done business on several occasions, most definitely USE this company. They know”
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