Arpiné and Alec

LAKE COMO

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS
To enter Italy and the Schengen area you do not require a VISA for stays under 90 days.

However, you will be required:

- Passport valid for at least 3 months validity beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area

- 2 blank pages on passport for stamps.

Starting from mid-2025 European Union will require also to have a Travel Authorization, so called ETIAS: no information about application are available at this stage, but we will update you as soon as possible.
An overview of all entry requirements can be found HERE.

FLIGHTS
We recommend to book your flights as soon as possible to have the best available rates.
You can check flights availability and rates on your favorite flying company website or on online search engines such as Skyscanner and eDreams.

Milan is the Italian city with airports close to Lake Como; airports are:

- Milano Malpensa: about 1 hour from Milan, it's the biggest airport in the area; it is connected to Milan by bus and train (called Malpensa Express).

- Milano Linate: the closest airport to Milan city centre, that can be reached with the new M4 Subway line or via bus and taxi.

- Milano - Bergamo Orio al Serio: it is located close to Bergamo, a beautiful city that was a Culture Capital in 2023: divided into Bergamo Alta (High Bergamo), on the top of the hill surrounded by ancient walls, and into Bergamo Bassa (Low Bergamo) with more modern features, if you are arriving earlier or leaving few days after the wedding you might consider to visit this city and arrive/leave from Orio.
It is connected to Milan by bus; if instead you wish to be connected directly with Como, then a private car would be the best solution.

Private Transfer
Once you have arrived in Italy, whether it's at the airport or in Milano, or in Bergamo, or in another city, you might be interested into booking a private transfer.

If you fancy this solution you can contact the following supplier:
- KM LOGISTICS SERVICES: contact Christian at km@kmlogisticsservices.com
- CERNOBBIO LIMOUSINE SERVICE: contact Simone at info@cernobbiolimousine.it

If you want the fullest peace of mind, you can also get in touch directly with out team at Sposiamovi on arpineandalec@sposiamovi.it and they will manage the booking for you.

Kindly note that September is high season, therefore please make sure to book your service well in advance.
To make the booking process smooth, when enquiring please specify:
- number of guests
- number of luggages with approximate dimensions
- arrival/departure date and arrival/departure time
- flight number

Via Train to Como
If you are coming from Milan, you can also consider to take the train from Milano Centrale train station to Como train station (please click HERE to check timetables and purchase your train ticket in advance) and then private transfer from Como to Varenna - please refer to the private transfer paragraph.

Via Ferry from Como
Kindly note that there are also ferry services available to connect villages on lake shores: timetables and rates for next summer will be available on this website starting from April 1st, 2025.

In the Varenna guide linked above you will find a full selection of restaurants, but please find also below our favorite restaurants that are all walking distance from Villa Cipressi (less than 200 metres):

- Visteria Restaurant - to book a table please call +39 0341 815111

- Vecchia Varenna - open for lunch, do not accept reservations, but it's on a first come, first served basis

- Restaurant at Hotel Du Lac - to book a table please write to info@albergodulac.com or call +39 0341 830238

- Al Prato - to book a table please write to alpratovarenna@libero.it or call +39 348 712 4389

As Varenna is a tiny tiny village, your will find one hair salon only, that is called Fuori di Testa: to book your appointment you can reach out to the stylists on +39 0341 815077.
Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

If you want to have your hair done before getting to Varenna, please consider the following options in Como:

Encapture
Via Cinque Giornate 10 - Como, CO, 22100
Email address: info@encapturestore.com
Tel: +39 0317185961
Closed on Sundays and Mondays

Aldo Coppola 
Piazza Volta 48 - Como, CO, 22100
Email address: by.como@aldocoppola.com
Tel. +39 031261603
Closed on Sundays - OPEN ON MONDAYS

Tony&Guy 
Via Cinque Giornate, 36 - Como, CO, 22100
Email address: como@toniandguy.it
Tel. +39 0312753375
Closed on Sundays and Mondays

Nearby Varenna
A city that is located about 30 minutes from Varenna is Lecco. Less famous than Como, it is however on the shores of the lake, and a relevant city for Italian culture, as it is the setting of one of the most important books in Italian history, "I Promessi Sposi", the most representative of Italian Romanticism.
Full of culture, folklore and a lovey starting point for excursions, you can find more information on what to do by clicking HERE.

Lake Como
Great ways to tour Lake Como are by  bus or by boat.
Buses are slightly cheaper and more frequent, but we highly suggest taking the Lake Como ferries as they provide a much more scenic journey and a great way to view the gorgeous villas along the lake. 
The best places we recommend you visit during your stay at Lake Como include:

Bellagio
Bellagio, often referred to as the Pearl of Lake Como, is probably the most famous town of Lake Como. Its picturesque and strategic location at the junction where the Y-shaped lake divides into two branches, makes it one of the most sought-after destinations of Lake Como. Bellagio can be reached from Varenna by ferry boat.
Information on what to see and do can be found HERE.

Villa del Balbianello
Located on a wooded promontory on Como Lake. This elegant, romantic 18th century mansion and its magnificent garden have hosted writers, scholars and travelers, including Count Guido Monzino, the last owner of the Villa. It’s 38 km from Como and it is a great stop on the way to Bellagio. Closed on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Isola Comacina
Comacina Island is a unique island in Lake Como with history, art, tradition, and whose architecture and remains defy the passing of time. If you choose to tour the Island, we suggest stopping at Locanda dell’Isola for lunch overlooking the lake. You can reach it by regular ferry from Como or Cernobbio.

Como
The main city on the lake, compact but vibrant, please visit THIS WEBSITE to have a look at all the nice activities in the area.

Activities

Boat tours on the lake
- Taxi Boat Varenna - they arrange shared and private boat tours on the lake and are located in Varenna
- Il Medeghino - they arrange private boat tours only

Wine lovers
If you enjoy sipping and tasting wine, do not miss this spot in Varenna.
At a couple of hours from Varenna there is the Franciacorta area, famous especially for producing Italian Spumante and excellent white wine. If you are looking for wine tours in the area, please reach out to our Guest Experience Team on arpineandalec@sposiamovi.it

Workshops and Cooking Classes
If you are looking for something more peculiar, such as having a workshop with an artisan or a private cooking class, please reach out to arpineandalec@sposiamovi.it

Closest shops to Varenna are the ones in the village and in the city centre of Como and Lecco, but if you are looking for malls and do not mind moving around, then you can consider:

Franciacorta Village - 2 hours from Varenna
A premier shopping destination in Italy, renowned for its extensive selection of designer and luxury brands at discounted prices. Nestled in the picturesque Franciacorta region, this charming outlet features a vibrant open-air layout with over 160 stores, including fashion, accessories, and home goods. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely shopping experience while savoring delicious Italian cuisine at various cafes and restaurants. With its beautiful surroundings and enticing deals, Franciacorta Outlet Village is perfect for serious shoppers and casual visitors looking for a delightful day out. A popular outlet, built to resemble a small village, shops are open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Serravalle Designer Outlet - 50 minutes from Milan
The outlet's charming architecture and landscaped gardens create a pleasant shopping atmosphere where visitors can enjoy a mix of high-end fashion and accessories. With numerous dining options available, Serravalle Designer Outlet is an ideal spot for a day of shopping and relaxation, attracting locals and tourists alike. One hour and 30 minutes outside Como, it is arguably Europe's most impressive and largest shopping outlet.