The 20 best experiences to have in and around Como

Discover Como Brianza, near Lake Como, on horseback and immerse yourself in the woods of the beautiful hills at the base of the Larian Triangle, between the lakes of Montorfano and Alserio.

The horseback trail is at a walking pace, suitable for beginners or those climbing into the saddle for the first time.

Private or group rides for up to 12 people are available. For groups from 7 people, a 30-minute field lesson will be given before departure.

Long pants and sneakers are required. Protective equipment of helmet and back protector will be provided by the riding school and is included in the price of the walk.

With this horseback ride in the Ticino Nature Park you will have the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the horses, brush them and prepare the necessary equipment for an enjoyable ride.

The experience begins with a short introductory lesson that will help you learn how to tame your horse.

During the horseback ride, which will have an effective duration of 1 hour and 15 minutes, you will ride through the forest and spring areas, rich in waterways and vegetation. If lucky, you may see storks, herons and other migratory species.

There is also an opportunity to picnic on horseback.

Take a horseback ride along the banks of the Serio River, within the nature park of the same name on the border between the provinces of Bergamo and Cremona. Depart from Romano di Lombardia.

Relying on your guide you will have the opportunity to admire the protected natural area, rich in biodiversity and pristine habitats.

Before or after the horseback ride you can rest inside the center's characteristic clubhouse, enjoying an aperitif, or book lunches and dinners or stay in the comfortable B&B, all with a background of ambient music.

Enjoy this equestrian experience as a couple, with family, with friends, and ensure a moment of happiness and relaxation.

Choose horseback riding in the hills of Bergamo and ride along the trails and dirt roads in the area, surrounded by the green woods of the park.

The horseback riding tour routes are suitable for both beginners and experts. The rides are one to two hours in length and take place throughout the week.

You will be led by an experienced guide, who will be with you for the duration of the excursion, showing you the most beautiful places and leading you through the most striking landscapes of the Bergamo area.

(The walk will be at a walking pace and not a galloping pace).

The horseback ride in the Brianza hills lasts 1h preceded by a short riding lesson of about 30 minutes.

A pleasant ride through the beautiful and unspoiled nature of the Brianza region, which stretches between Monza and the Montevecchia Regional Park, will give you a unique experience. Depending on the season in which you decide to participate, you will see landscapes ranging from the lush green of spring to the warm yellow and red tones of autumn.

This is an experience suitable for all families, groups of friends and couples, including beginners. During the week, the maximum number of participants is 4. On the weekend, up to 2 people can participate and you will be placed in a larger group.

Finally, to ensure a pleasant experience, all our rides are accompanied by a guide experienced in equestrian tourism.

Horseback riding along the Adda River, lasting one to two hours, through the surrounding woods is an experience not to be missed.

The horseback rides are also suitable for beginners, as they consist of comfortable and wide paths located within the Adda Park.

Thanks to this ride you will have the opportunity to explore the nature that characterizes these places, and to let the horses water within the river.

During the horseback ride, departing from Rivolta d'Adda, you will be accompanied by two equestrian guides, who will lead you for the duration of the excursion.

Horseback riding in the mountains above Lecco, 558 meters above sea level, starts in the town of Primaluna. Excursions offered for this experience are either 1 or 2 hours in length, as desired.

All horseback rides are on the bridleway along the Pioverna River, where you can admire scenic and very characteristic places in the valley. You cross the river and reach the woods.

The horseback riding experience is suitable for anyone, even first-time riders. Appropriate clothing for horseback riding, such as closed shoes and long pants, is recommended.

A visit to the Villa Cipressi botanical gardens and lunch is an experience that will allow you to visit the villa's beautiful botanical gardens right on Lake Como and enjoy lunch or dinner.

The Villa is located in Varenna, the complex of buildings and gardens were built mainly between 1400 and 1800 and recently renovated to offer guests the comfort, elegance and magic of one of the most beautiful historic villas on Lake Como.

The park surrounding the structure has a unique beauty and priceless cultural value. The botanical garden chronicles the biodiversity of every area of the country, a mix of contemporary architecture and ancient gardens. A true green journey, a destination for scholars and enthusiasts.

Lunch or dinner will be held at Victoria Grill restaurant and the menu includes two dishes of your choice; beverages and wine not included.

Enjoy a fantastic experience immersed in the architecture and gardens typical of Lake Como Villas.

This horseback ride will have you explore the beauty of Lake Como from a vantage point. Accompanied by Arabian thoroughbred horses, you will ride along trails with views of the Lake and mountains.

You will begin the walk on foot, an opportunity to socialize with the horses. Later you will pass through the grounds on which stands a historic farmhouse, where Alessandro Manzoni lived. You will walk along trails through the woods, reaching incredible vantage points over the city and Lake.

The experience lasts 1 hour and is suitable for all levels, even beginners. The instructor will teach you the basics of mounting as well as accompany you throughout the itinerary. Languages spoken: Italian and English.

The excursion may be postponed in case of bad weather. Sportswear with long pants and closed shoes is required to participate in the activity. Good health and fitness are also required.

Wakeboarding on Lake Como is an adrenaline experience suitable for everyone; for beginners it is recommended to choose the 30-minute tour.

The experience is structured with the boat rental in mind: the instructor and pilot will accompany your group guiding the boat and giving valuable advice to those being towed into the water.

Among the group participants there will be divided time on the water on the wakeboard, and relaxation on the boat.

The boat is a brand new, state-of-the-art one that can generate waves for you to use as ramps to jump into the air on the wakeboard.

Wakeboarding at Como Lake Cable Park, a small lake near Colico, is an adventurous and adrenaline-pumping experience.

The experience includes 15-minute "laps" scattered throughout the day, during which you are always supervised by an instructor.

In addition, it is possible to purchase a 15-minute introductory wakeboard lesson: a first part of 5/10 minutes on land and then in the water the rest of the time.

It is strongly recommended to conduct the lesson if it is your first approach to the discipline.

Unlike classic wakeboarding in which a boat pulls you, cable wakeboarding allows you to glide across the water with a board thanks to an electric towing system, therefore "green."

The system consists of two poles about 100 meters apart, and allows the instructor to adjust the speed of the tow, making it easier to learn.

The Lake Como bike tour is a tour that will take you to discover the vineyards and enchanting landscapes of Lake Como.

The ideal starting point for this electric bike tour is Tremezzo or Menaggio (you can get there by ferry from Bellagio), as you pedal toward the northern tip of the lake for a 65-kilometer, one-way ride on traffic-free roads and trails.

The terrain is mixed between bike paths, old mule tracks, and trails along the lake, with constant up and down and views of the lake as we pass through old villages and hidden roads.

The tour includes E-MTB rental, private guide, return transportation to Cadenabbia, Menaggio or Bellagio.

Also possible to include a food and wine tasting at Cantina Sorsasso.

Recommended clothing: sports shoes and clothes.

A wine tasting and visit to the historic Mosnel winery in Franciacorta is an experience not to be missed!

After the guided tour of the cellars, choose 3 of the 5 Franciacorta wines that have come to define the Mosnel winery style: Brut, Brut Nature, Pas Dosé, Rosé, Satèn.

All wine tastings are accompanied by a small sampling of local bread, charcuterie and cheese to better succeed in tasting the wines on offer.

You can request a mixed board of cured meats from Az. Agricola Danesi + CISSVA shavings + breadsticks (for 2 people), for the cost of €15 per board.

You will taste 3 to choose from the following wines:

• Brut - Blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir grapes that defines our style.
• Brut Nature - Blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc with the structured touch of Pinot Noir, aged at least 24 months on the lees.
• Pas Dosé - Matured at least 30 months to express the harmony of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir grapes.
• Rosé - Fragrant blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with roundness of Pinot Blanc.
• Satèn - Elegant Franciacorta with creamy, rich and refined perlage.

For this tour, it is recommended to bring headgear to cover yourself adequately even in summer.

Accompanying pets in the cellars is not allowed.

Horseback riding among the vineyards in Franciacorta near Lake Iseo from Corte Franca will provide a unique activity immersed in the tranquility of nature.

Available rides are 1 or 2 hours and extend through local vineyards passing through villages and some of the most renowned wineries such as Berlucchi.

The walks are suitable for all levels of experience, and the instructor will teach you the basics of riding as well as accompany you throughout the itinerary.

Sportswear with long pants and closed shoes is required to participate in the activity.

Enjoy an original experience in the heart of Franciacorta with a quad bike tour suitable for everyone, even those who have never ridden on an ATV.

You will be able to choose one of two available tours:

Aperitivo (3 hours)

The quad bike tour with aperitif includes a loop through the vineyards with departure and arrival in Erbusco, near Brescia.

Halfway through the tour an aperitif awaits you in a place overlooking the Torbiere del Sebino Nature Reserve.

• 25+15 km
• 2h30' of actual driving
• Total duration: 3h

Tasting (3h30')

During the excursion with tasting you can visit one of the most renowned wineries in Franciacorta.

• 25+10 km
• 2h of driving
• 1h visit to a winery + 2/3 Franciacorta tastings
• Total duration: 3h30min

Wineries visited: Contadi Castaldi (usually Saturday afternoon), Ferghettina (usually Sunday morning) and Ronco Calino.

In case rain is expected, you will be contacted by phone the day before. It is possible to take turns while driving.

The guided tour at the museum and winery, located in the hinterland of Franciacorta near Lake Iseo, will immerse you in the history of the winery and introduce you to the production process of Franciacorta DOCG and Curtefranca DOC wines. The visit is followed by a tasting of 2/3 selected Franciacorta wines, accompanied by breadsticks.

The experience lasts 1 1/2 hours and is suitable for everyone. Minors are not allowed to taste.

The Encore

The tasting includes 2 wines:

• Franciacorta Brut DOCG
• Franciacorta Satèn Brut DOCG millesimato.

The tasting is accompanied by breadsticks.

The Tris

Tasting includes 3 wines:

• Franciacorta Brut DOCG
• Franciacorta Satèn Brut DOCG vintage
• Franciacorta Extra Brut DOCG millesimato

The tasting is accompanied by breadsticks.

The wines in the tasting may vary depending on product availability or vintage.

Picnic in the vineyard in Franciacorta, ideal for those who want to spend a relaxing day among the hills and vines typical of the area.

Inside the picnic basket, you will find food and wine delicacies prepared with local products by the Chef of the restaurant "La Dama Bianca" to offer you a unique and surprising culinary experience.

Upon your arrival, the staff will provide you with everything you will need: towels on which to lie down, pillows to offer you maximum comfort and a basket stocked with all the necessary dishes. To accompany your lunch, bubbles of Franciacorta will be served.

During the duration of the picnic you will be able to stretch out in the meadow, surrounded by vineyards, and enjoy breathtaking views with an evocative view of the ancient Castle of Bornato.

Menu (adults):

• spelt salad with vegetables and chicken
• ham and omelette sandwich
• marinated steaks in finger food version
• dessert
• water and coffee
• a bottle (every 2 people) of Franciacorta bubbles from Castello di Bornato.

Menu (kids): same as the adult menu without the bottle of wine.

Menu (children): 2 sandwiches with cold cuts, bites of grana padano cheese, cold rice with peas, cooked ham, sausage and cheese, soft drink and chocolate dessert.

Vegetarian\vegan\intolerance and allergy are also available upon prior notice.

Available on Saturdays and Sundays.

A visit to the vineyards and wineries with wine tasting in Franciacorta is the ideal experience for lovers of good wine and those curious about organic viticulture.

The tour will begin with a brief history of the area and the winery and will continue by moving into the teaching vineyard for an in-depth look at the unique characteristics of this area and the practices of organic viticulture.

For this winery tour in franciacorta you will have a choice of two tastings, depending on your preference.

Tasting 1: Tradition

This tour focuses on the tradition of the area, where at one time not too long ago red grapes excelled. You will taste three local wines: the Golf, the Rosè and the Curtefranca Rosso, tracing the local tradition and the innovative path of the first organic Franciacorta.

Tasting 2: The Organic Franciacorta.

The area's product of excellence is organic Franciacorta, a wine that is the result of a meticulous and innovative process. During the experience you will taste three wines, Animante, Rosè and Satèn, and discover the secrets of the production of Organic Franciacorta, which represents a cultural change before even a productive one, based on respect and the search for authenticity.

The tastings are accompanied by water, breadsticks and a single serving of Organic Parmigiano. The visit including tasting lasts about 2 hours.

Some areas of the winery have temperatures around 12° C and high humidity; consequently, we recommend appropriate clothing. The visit also includes a tour of the vineyard and, therefore, we suggest comfortable and suitable footwear.