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Lake como is an enchanting location. Situated to the north of Milan, with views to the north of the Alps. Como town is located at the foot of the left hand leg of Lake Como. It is approximately an hours drive from Milan Malpensa and Milan Bergamo airport. We are based for our stay in the town as it provides a variety of restaurants to eat in and doesn’t tie us in directly to the ferry timetable.
Our balloon in Italy takes up to twelve people, so group sizes go up also to twelve. Flying takes place to the south of the lake from a gliding airfield, so that there is little chance of becoming wet. Flights are for an hour and our traditional ballooning breakfast follows, with Champagne and traditional local fare from our Italian host.
Sailing on the lake is aboard our Beneteau 343 clipper. A beautifully specified and luxurious yacht, over 30 feet in length. Clients are invited to take the helm, or just enjoy the cruise up the lake to Menaggio, where we take lunch. In the afternoon we generally swap group A with group B who have taken the ferry to lunch and return to Como for the evening.
We are very lucky in Como to have the only sea plane school in Europe. Clients are invited to take a pleasure flight with one of the school’s instructors. The flight lasts for around thirty minutes and travels at low altitude from the base in Como up the lake to just beyond Menaggio. Frequently asked for sights include; the Versace Villa and George Clooney’s house!
There is a lovely wine shop down a back street in Como, that will be right up your street if you enjoy Italian wine. Our host delights in providing a selection of Italy’s best wines for us to sample. His selection is almost geographical in travelling from local wines down the country to Sicilian wine. An absolute must for any wine lover. Don’t plan anything else afterwards, as you may want a bit of a lie down!
The optimum group size for our trip to Como is between eight and twelve
| Monday | |
|---|---|
| 17.45 | Arrive airport and transfer to Hotel Firenze, approx 45 minutes to an hour |
| 20.30 | Dinner at Pizzeria/Restaurant (100 metres from the hotel) |
| Tuesday | |
| 07.00 - 11.00 | Ballooning for everybody followed by Champagne breakfast. Flying from the Gliding Club, approx 5 miles from Como. |
| 12.00 | Return to Como - management meeting or free time |
| 14.00 | Sea plane flights over lake Como – George Clooney spotting |
| 19.00 | Pre dinner drinks |
| 20.00 | Dinner |
| Wednesday | |
| 09.30 | Group A sail from Yacht Club for Menaggio, arriving approx 1230. Passengers can either relax or have some basic instruction in crewing, Including taking the helm. Refreshments provided. |
| 09.00 | Group B spend the morning shopping in Como *, then catch 12.15 ferry to Menaggio, arriving at 1300 |
| 13.00 | Lunch at Menaggio - whole group. |
| 14.20 | Ferry departs for Como - Morning activities/personnel reversed |
| 16.30 - 18.30 | Management meeting or free time. |
| 18.30 | Meet in reception for walk to the funicular. Last return trip 2200. |
| 20.00 | Dinner in Brunate (at the top of the funicular) |
| Thursday | |
| 08.45 | Depart for the airport |
* There are some excellent shop and discount centres close to the hotel (all the leading brands such as Prada and Armani are heavily discounted). Como is also the European capital of quality silk production.
