Already RSVP'd? Please click here to share your travel and accommodation details!
OVERVIEW
Lake Como is not the largest lake in Italy, but certainly one of the most attractive in the whole country. With its peculiar upside-down Y-shape, the lake is encircled by steep mountains and offers dramatic views of the water and the peaks above it. With its lush gardens, luxurious villas, and picturesque villages, Lake Como is one of Italy's most popular tourist sites.
To get an idea of what to expect, check out our Image Gallery to see photos of our recent visit or have a look at the photo gallery for our wedding venue: Villa Cipressi
Lake Como has ferry services that transit between the various villages which allows you to take in all the sites and scenery. Bellagio, which is directly across the lake from Varenna, is the most famous town on the lake and offers the most to do and see. For more information about what to do, get inspired by this article or to learn more about exploring Lake Como by boat, have a look at this local travel guide.
Check out our Things To Do page for some additional recommendations.
You can also spend some time in Milan (Italy's fashion capital) at the beginning or end of your trip or venture further afield: you can check out Florence (the gateway to Tuscany) (3.5h by train, 4h by car), Venice (3h by car, 4.5h by train), or even Rome (5h by train, 6-8h by car).
GETTING THERE
Note: If you have already booked your travel/accommodation, please fill out this form so we know your details and can help coordinate transport to/from the venue for you!
Varenna is easily accessible by both train and car. If you prefer to take the train, it's best to fly to Milan Malpensa (MXP) airport [additional info] and then take the train via Milano Centrale Railway Station (~2.5h). You can book tickets for bus/train travel on
https://www.omio.com, and get significant savings if you book ahead.
If you prefer to rent a car, you can fly to Milan Malpensa (MXP) airport (1.5h drive), Milan Linate (LIN) airport (1.5h), or Bergamo (BGY) (1h10m drive).
For key considerations about travelling to Italy, check out our Trip Essentials page.
COVID-19
As of June 1, 2022 all COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted for Italy. It is no longer a requirement to provide a negative COVID test or proof of vaccination to enter the country or to visit restaurants, bars, etc. We hope this will continue to be the case, but for the latest news and requirements please check the US or UK government websites for more details about COVID-19 requirements for travelling to Italy, or for more general advice see the Italy Covid Tourist Advice site.
WHERE TO STAY
IMPORTANT!
There is very limited accommodation in/near Varenna, and since the wedding is taking place during the height of the tourist season it's expected to book-up quickly. It's highly-advised that you book your accommodation ASAP to ensure you have a place to stay!
Varenna is a small village, but there are a few hotels available directly in the town:
-
Albergo Milano, Via XX Settembre, 35, 23829 Varenna, ☎ +39 034 183 0298, [website]. Nice hotel with great views over the lake. It has a large patio which - weather permitting - is used for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Try to get a room with it's own patio. The patio is bigger than the room.
-
Olivedo, Piazza Martiri 14, 23829 Varenna, ☎ +39 034 183 0115, [website]. This hotel is near the ferry terminal and offers accommodation as well as having a restaurant.
-
Royal Victoria*, Piazza S. Giorgio, 2, 23829 Varenna, ☎ +39 034 181 5111, [website]. This hotel offers excellent accommodation on the main square, with some rooms having a lake view and is attached to the hotel where we are having our wedding.
-
Villa Cipressi, Via 4 Novembre, 22, 23829 Varenna, ☎ +39 034 183 0113 (info@hotelvillacipressi.it), [website]. This is hotel is situated on the site of a botanical gardens. It's also the venue for our wedding!
If you plan to rent a car, you can check out hotels or apartments in the nearby towns of Fiumelatte (4 min drive), Bellano (7 min), Vezio (9 min), Lierna (9 min), Gittana (10 min), or Perledo (11 min). Booking.com or Vrbo tend to have the best prices and availability.
Optionally, you could also stay in either Bellagio or Menaggio which are on the other side of Lake Como and accessible by ferry, but note that the last departure will be ~11pm, and access by car/taxi will take 1hr+.
SCHEDULE
Aug 16-18, 2022
Aug 16 | 2:00 PM
CHECK-IN
Check in at your hotel and get ready for the day!
Aug 16 | 3:00 PM
BOAT TRIP
Boat trip on Lake Como for those who have signed-up. (Please RSVP separately for this so we have enough room!)
Aug 16 | 5:00 - 10:30 PM
EXPLORE BELLAGIO
The boat will drop us off in Bellagio where you can then explore at your leisure. We'll send along ideas for places to check out for drinks/food soon! Note, the last ferry back to Varenna departs at 11:00PM so don't be late or it'll be an expensive cab ride back to your hotel. The full ferry timetable can be found here.
Aug 17 | 4:30 PM
WELCOME DRINKS AT VILLA CIPRESSI
Join us for a welcome drink and enjoy a guided tour around the beautiful botanical gardens of Hotel Villa Cipressi
Aug 17 | 5:30 PM
CEREMONY
Our ceremony will take place overlooking the lake on the cliffside of the gardens.
Aug 17 | 6:00 - 7:30 PM
COCKTAILS & CANAPÉS
After the ceremony, we will move to the terrace for cocktails and canapés.
Aug 17 | 7:30 - 9:30 PM
SEATED DINNER
Make sure you have a healthy appetite, because we have a four-course dinner waiting for you (followed by wedding cake and a dessert buffet)! See our menu for more details about the food that will be served.
Aug 17, 2022 9:30 PM
CUTTING THE WEDDING CAKE
After dinner, make sure you save room for cake!
Aug 17, 2022 Until 11:00PM
After dinner, we will have a dessert buffet along with time for dancing and mingling.
DANCING
Aug 18, 2022 11:00AM
CHECK-OUT
Check-out of your hotel (or stay longer if you'd like!) and set out to see other sites in Italy or head home.