Lecco has never had a touristic vocation, industry has always been the beating heart of local economy. Things are starting to change though. Due to its favorable position, its unique landscape and to the fact that the city remains aside of mainstream routes, more and more people have started to consider it as a valuable destination.

It is located on the eastern branch of the Como lake and it is easily reachable from the city of Milan. It just takes you less than one hour  by train  to escape from the big city and dive into its extraordinary beauty made of severe mountains.

If you are lake-oriented you can get on board ferryboats that during summertime regularly leave from the local jetty and reach the renowned Varenna and Bellagio. Once there you can visit the old villas with their great gardens, get lost in the alleys or shop in the handicraft workshops. If you just feel like relaxing pick out a beach along the coast, lie down and enjoy the lake's fresh waters.

Are you a water sport fanatic? You definitely are in the right place: wind surf, kite surf, kayak, sailing, water skiing. You will be able to rent what you need to practice your favorite activity.

You just can not spend time in Lecco without at least going on top of one of the mountains that surround it. Depending on your training level you will choose what is best for your abilities. Climbing up mount Resegone (1875 meters above sea level), or the southern Grigna (2184 meters above sea level) could be very engaging. If you just feel like enjoying an astonishing landscape without sweating too much, pick out the steep trail that will lead you to the little church of San Martino and you will be fully satisfied. Walking is not really what you like? The cableway which takes on top of  Pizzo Erna is waiting for you, giving you the chance to reach the cross on the summit with no effort at all.

Last but not least, people come from all over Europe to climb the walls of our mountains. If you are a rock climber you will be spoiled for choice. Time to time you will decide whether to choose cliffs on the lake or up in the valleys. You won't be disappointed !

You can reach Lecco by car. If you are travelling by plane you can easily transfert to Milan central train station and than catch a train.

Milano Malpensa  airport transfert to  Milano stazione centrale     

-   By Malpensa Express train : trains leaving every 30 minutes. 13 euros for the single ride, 20 for the roundtrip. You can purchase tickets online. Travel time: 30 minutes

 http://www.malpensaexpress.it/it/malpensa-express/home.aspx 

-    By  Malpensa Shuttle coach : buses leaving every 20 minutes. 10 euros for the single ride, 16 for the roundtrip. You can purchase tickets online. Average travel time: 45 minutes  (depending on traffic conditions)             http://www.malpensashuttle.it/

-    By Terravision coach - buses leaving every 20 minutes. 8 euros for the single ride, 14 for the roundtrip. You can purchase tickets online. Average travel time: 45 minutes  (depending on traffic conditions)  http://www.terravision.eu/italiano/airport_transfer/bus-aeroporto-di-malpensa-milano/

Milano Linate airport  transfert to  Milano stazione centrale

-   By airbus Linate coach – buses leaving every 30 minutes. 5 euros for the single ride, 9 for the roundtrip. Tickets can be purchased at the vending machines you can find in the metro, at authorized retailers points and onboard with no extra charge.

https://www.atm.it/it/AltriServizi/Trasporto/Pagine/airbus.aspx

 Bergamo – Orio al Serio airport transfert to Milano stazione centrale

-   By Orio Shuttle coach –  buses every 20 minutes. 5 euros for the single ride, 10 for the roundtrip. You can purchase tickets online. Average travel time 50 minutes (depending on traffic conditions)

 http://www.orioshuttle.com/Orio-al-Serio_Milano-Centrale.cfm

From Milano stazione centrale catch a train to Sondrio or to Tirano (not to be confused with the train to Torino!!!) and after a 40 minute ride get off in Lecco. 4,80 euros for the single ride. You can purchase tickets at the ticket office or at vending machines.

Day one

You could catch a train from Milano stazione centrale and head towards Lecco. Once there I wouldn't miss a walk on the promenade along the lakeside. Then just wander around through downtown's alleys and squares. Take a look at San Nicolò's cathedral with its tower bell, at the medieval tower and at “palazzo delle paure”.

Need a break? Have the best coffe possible at caffè and caffè (via Roma 83 ) or taste an ice cream at Capo Horn (piazza Cermenati 9) definitely my choice!!!

Around 7:00 PM Piazza Cermenati and Piazza XX settembre will liven up and get crowded. It's aperitivo time! Pick up a bar, sit down, relax and sip a good wine or a Spritz while eating a few appetizers.

If you are looking for a special place for dinner just step in Trattoria Corte Fiorina, located on the evocative via Bovara.

If pizza is on your mind, I would advise you to try Pizzeria Capri (vicolo della torre 8).

Day two

It's time to surf the lake! Get a ferry-boat, you will have a completely different point of view from the water, discovering unforgettable spots without the stress of having to drive and park a car. The lake gets pretty crowded during summertime and nice weather weekends. It is much better if you can avoid moving by car.

Reaching Bellagio and Varenna by boat is quite simple:

- LECCO - BELLAGIO  Departure from the jetty on Lungolario Cesare Battisti. You can purchase tickets either at the tickets office for 8,50 euros or on board with a 1 euro extra charge. Daily tickets cost 19,40 euros. Travel time 1 hour and 30 minutes.

- BELLAGIO - VARENNA Departures from Bellagio's jetty. Ticket for the single ride is 4,60 euros. Daily ticket 15 euros. Travel time: 20 minutes.

You can either go back to Lecco by ferry-boat or by catching a train at Varenna station. Ticket costs 2,90 Euros.  Travel time 20 minutes.

It is clear that you can also make this tour in the opposite direction.

Bellagio is known as the lake’s pearl because of its beauty, its  mild climate and its enviable location.

Enjoy wandering  around through downtown's cobbled alleys and stone staircases; get some good shopping in the renowned local handicraft workshops; Enjoy  spartivento viewpoint, where the two branches of lake Como join eachother and visit  Villa Melzi's gardens (from March 25th to the end of October every day from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm - adult ticket  6.50 euros , children under 12 free entry) and Villa Serbelloni's gardens (guided tours of about 1 hour and 30 minutes from April to the beginning of November from Tuesday to Sunday, starting at 11.00 am and 2.30 pm from the tourist office in Piazza della Chiesa 14, tel. +39 031 95155, adult ticket 9 €, children up to 13 years old 5 € and children under 7 years old free entrance).

Varenna is a tiny fishing village overlooked by Vezio Castle. Do not miss the medieval church of San Giorgio and VillaMonastero (Via Polvani 4, Varenna - gardens + museum  ticket 8 euros, children 5 euros and children up to 11 years old free entry).

If you like group tours visit TAXI BOAT LECCO  website, they offers guided tours and on board parties .

Would you like to  spend a day or half day on the lake with the whole boat for you and your friends ? Contact me ! Lake experience is waiting for you.

PIANI D'ERNA (1875 meters above sea level)

Departure: Versasio hamlet - cableway to Piani D'Erna (525 meters above sea level) parking lot

Arrival: Piani D'Erna (1375 meters above sea level)

Difference in height: + 850 meters

Hiking time: it depends on how well you are trained. About 1,5 hours

Trail: Trail no. 1 –  white, yellow and red flag signs - trail no 1/b 

Difficulty: E (steep trail but no difficulties at all)

The cableway parking lot can be reached by car or by bus no. 5.  It costs 2 euros for the whole day. On its right find a staircase leading down the path, turn left and follow the yellow "tutte le direzioni"sign (all directions). You' ll arrive at a paved road, turn right and go on uphill until the asphalt ends and you' ll find yourself on a cobbled path in the wood. Follow always no.1 trail marked with a white, yellow and red flag. During the hike you'll meet the village of Costa and the Antonio Stoppani hut. Go on on the main track for a while then follow the signs that brings you on track no 1/a and to Piani d’Erna.

Don't you like walking at all ? Don’t worry. Get the cableway and you’ll be able to enjoy  our stunning landscapes and taste our delicious dishes anyway.

If you are on vacation with your dog, sure thing you can bring him with you on the cableway if he wears a muzzle. If you don’t have one you can buy it for 6 euros at the ticket office. The ride for your pet is free.

CABLEWAY TIMETABLE 

The cableway is open all over the year

*From Monday to Friday a ride every 30 minutes

**From Monday to Friday a ride every our and with at least 5 people on board even every 30 minutes.

Saturday a ride every 30 minutes and with at least 5 people on board even every 15 minutes.

Sunday and holidays a ride every 15 minutes and no stop rides if the cab is full.

The timetable could change in case of bad weather conditions.

CABLEWAY PRICES

*You can get over 65 discount showing your id. Rides are free for kids under 6 .

GRIGNA MERIDIONALE (SOUTHERN GRIGNA)

First proposal

Departure: Piani Resinelli (1276 meters above sea level)

Arrival: Summit of southern Grigna  (2184 meters above sea level)

Difference in height: + 901 meters

Hiking time: it depends on how well you are trained. About 1.5 - 2 hours

Trail: Trail no. 7 –  via Cresta Cermenati

Difficulty: E (very steep trail with rocks but no difficulties on the track)

From Lecco you can reach  Piani Resinelli  by car or by bus no. 7. Once arrived there’s a free parking lot where you can leave your car. Follow the signs leading to Rifugio Carlo Porta and track no. 7 – Cresta Cermenati.

This is the simpliest path to get to the summit. It is wide, well tracked, and it’s not  so difficult, nevertheless   it’s very steep and rocky so you must pay attention.

On the summit there’s neither water or a hut, but you can find a shelter (bivacco Ferrario) just in case you need it. You can bring some sandwiches with you or a couple of energetic  bars and enjoy your lunch when you go down back to Piani Resinelli. I suggest you to to go to “Il forno della grigna”, a bakery and grill restaurant where you’ll be able to taste very good local food specialities.

Second proposal

Departure: Piani Resinelli  - Via alle Foppe (1180 meters above sea level)

Arrival: Rosalba hut (1730 meters above sea level)

Difference in height: + 550 meters

Hiking time: it depends on how well you are trained. About 1.5 hours

Trail: Trail no. 9 –  white and red flag signs 

Difficulty: E (simple)

From Lecco you can reach Piani Resinelli by car or by bus no. 7. The beginning of the track is in Via delle Foppe. At the church turn right in the second road, and go down the street for a couple of kilometers. At the end of the road you can find signs  that show you where the track starts. There aren't so many parking lots there so I suggest you to go early in the morning.

From Via delle Foppe follow the trail no. 9 with white and red flag signs.

This is a simple hike for everybody but you should pay attention anyway. At the hut enjoy your lunch with tasty dishes.

MOUNT ST. MARTINO

Departure: Lecco - Rancio district  (360 meters above sea level)

Arrival: St. Martino church and Piazza hut

Difference in height: + 407 meters

Hiking time: it depends on how well you are trained. About 45 minutes

Trail: Trail no. 52 

Difficulty: E (simple)

This is a wonderful short hike: in less than an hour you can enjoy a stunning view on Lecco and Lake Como.

Follow the trail no. 52 till you'll arrive at a white little church. Great view from there. If an italian flag is waving it means that the Piazza hut is open and you can reach it with  10 more minutes walk. Every Sunday a group of volunteers  make lunch for everybody at a convenient price.

Day four

On the fourth day I suggest  to visit Como. It is about 30 km away from Lecco and you can reach it by car or by bus leaving from Lecco railway station and arriving to Como "San Giovanni" railway station after 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Tickets can be purchased at the station newsagent and for more information on timetables and prices you can visit ASF bus service website.

Como can be easely visited on foot in one day. From San Giovanni station go straight for 5 - 10 minutes walk and you will find Piazza Alessandro Volta. You are already in the heart of the town. Go on in Via Fratelli Cairoli and you will be soon on the beautiful promenade along the lakeside. Turn the left and get the entire walk to Villa Olmo (Via Simone Cantoni, 1 - free entry). Then go back to downtown and wander around medieval alleys, visit the Dome, the theatre, Piazza San Fedele, the tower and the city walls.

In the afternoon don't miss Brunate, a small village from where you can enjoy a great view on Como and its lake.You can go there with the funicular: from 6 am to 10.30 pm every 15 minutes, on Saturdays and during summertime the service is extended until midnight. 

The ticket costs  3 euros; roundtrip ticket 5.50 €; Kids  2 euros; kids roundtrip ticket 3.20 euros. 

 Day five

Well, after surfing the lake and hiking the mountains I think it's time to get some rest, isn't it ? It's time to sunbath on a beach, read a good book, have a nap under a tree, swim in the lake and enjoy italian cuisine.

Abbadia Lariana is perfect for that, so it would be great if you could spend there  a couple of days. Abbadia is a small village on the lakeside at about 7 kilometres from Lecco. You  can get there by car driving along the state road no. 36 and taking the exit "Varenna, Mandello, Abbadia" or you can also get there by train with 7 minutes travel and a 1.80 euros ticket.

Abbadia Lariana is so tiny and cute that is always full of tourists during summer week ends, that's why parking lots run out easily.  I suggest you to book an accomodation with free parking available so during your stay you'll be free to move by foot. If you go there just for a one day visit, parking costs 1.50 euros per hour and tickets are available in most shops in the village.

Here are the most famous beaches:

- the one in front of  "La Spiaggia" camping (via al campeggio 5 - Abbadia Lariana).

This is a beautiful white pebbles beach with bar, restaurant and toilets.

- the one in "Ulisse Guzzi" park (piazza della costituzione repubblicana 135 - Abbadia Lariana)

This is a wide park with meadows, shady trees, a white pebbles beach, wood tables for picnic, a bar and  toilets.

- the one in "Chiesa Rotta" park (via lungo lago - Abbadia Lariana)

This is a very beautiful park with meadow and trees, a children's playground, a white pebbles beach and bar and toilets.

If you don't believe how much this places are awesome, look at the peactures below :-)

 Day six

Wake up in the beautiful scenario of Abbadia Lariana and you have all day free for doing exactly what you want. Take it easy: want some more sun and swim ? No problem. This is your place. Want to discover along the lakeside other nice villages ? There are plenty. You can pick up Mandello del Lario, Lierna, Bellano, Dervio or Colico. Do you like water sports ? Wind blows often for the joy of kite surfers and windsurfers. Do you feel like you want to try and take some lesson for beginners or intermediates level ? Along the lakeside you will find sailing centers and  shops where you can rent the equipment. They also organize during the summer excursions with kayaks and canoes.

For example, try this:

If you don't like water sports and you prefer to discover the surroundings, you don't have to miss the "Abbazia di Piona" (Piona's Abbey) - Via Abbazia di Piona , 55 - Colico.

This Abbey was built on the lake in a very green area with orchards and olive trees. Silence and quiet reign there because it is  a meditation and prayer place. Monks still leave there and for a leaving they prepare herbal liqueurs, ointments for pains healing, candies and fruit jams. Every item is sold in their shop inside the Abbey's courtyard.

Day seven

Unfortunately your vacancy is over. It's time to go back home. 

I hope this information will be usefull for your best travel experience on Lake Como and Lake Lecco.

I look forward to the next adventure.