by Michelle Jackson
Discover Lake Como and you’ll see why Michelle Jackson, The Novel Traveller, felt like a celebrity when exploring one of the most popular destinations in Italy.
Travel with Confidence and with our exclusive code!
Before we start, as a trusted partner of ours, Travel Department are delighted to offer readers of Donegal Daily, Donegal Woman and Donegal Sport Hub an exclusive extra discount of €50pp* on any new 2022 Italy holidays of 7 nights or more by using the code: VP-DONEGAL50 on www.traveldepartment.com/donegal-daily
Further, the wonderful team over at Travel Department know how important flexibility is to you now. So, from July 1st to September 30th, 2021, any new bookings made for travel in 2021 can be changed for free or you can swap your deposit for a voucher that has no expiry date. This flexibility is valid right up to when your balance is due. Rest assured you can book with confidence today and give yourself something to look forward to. More information here.
Did you know Travel Department are not only offering our readers an exclusive money saving voucher for Italian holidays in 2022…they are also running a brilliant competition exclusively for our readers to WIN €500 in Holiday vouchers. You can enter here.
The stunning turquoise waters of Lake Como are as dazzling as the stars who flock there to escape the limelight. What better way to enjoy the mountains that sweep down to this lake than in the comfort and style of a film star while exploring the region. Holidaying in Lake Como has been popular for the wealthy and famous since Roman Times, more recently some of the best-known A-listers have owned homes on its shores, from Madonna to Richard Branson and Sly Stallone to Gianni Versace. A glimpse of George Clooney may not be included in our itinerary but you will be treated like a VIP with the expertise of our Italian holiday guides.
After you’ve settled into our carefully chosen accommodation, Travel Department will ensure that you get to explore Lake Como in VIP style and begin with a private boat trip. They bring you up close and personal to the jewel-like mansions scattered along the shoreline. Clooney’s twenty-two room Villa Oleandra in Laglio is just one of the many stunning homes you can savour and enjoy on the tour.
Known as the Pearl of Lake Como, the town of Bellagio is where we stop off and you’ll be given plenty of time to do some dazzling shopping and find that perfect gift or memento to bring home. You might even brush shoulders with the cognoscenti in one of the cafés at the lively Piazza San Giacomo. The stunning architecture and villas are steeped in history and our guides can’t wait to share their stories with you. As always free time is an important part of our Italian holidays and meandering the waterfront of this scenic town will be a highlight for some of you.
Lake Como is close to the city of Milan, best known as the hub of Italian fashion and home to the world’s oldest shopping mall the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Discover the best of Milan with our guides on a day long excursion to this eclectic city and we will ensure that you get to see the city highlights in comfort and style, most notably see the stunning exterior of the cathedral in the Piazza del Duomo. While the prices in the shops may well be worthy of film-star salaries, our guides will be happy to show you how to enjoy the best of Milan like a local. Those of you who enjoy art and especially the Renaissance might like to pop into see Da Vinci’s Last Supper in the former Dominican Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. After spending your day in majestic Milan you’ll be whisked back to the slower-paced shorelines of Lake Como – just like celebrities.
Travel Department have used their twenty five years in business to gather some of the most exciting experiences for you and our Lake Como itinerary enjoys an amazing train ride through the Swiss Alps on the Bernina Express. This journey will take you on the single-track railroad from Poschiavo to Diavolezza and then onwards by coach transfer to St Moritz.
Your free days can be as busy or relaxed as you want them to be. One of the best ways to soak up the beauty of Lake Como and enjoy La Dolce Vita is basking under the Italian sunshine in a Lido and there are plenty to choose from. For a really inspirational morning or afternoon stroll then The Villa del Balbianello is one of the special sights to explore on Lake Como. The spiral staircase and entrance lined with sycamore and cypress trees will entice those of you who love the finer things into this treasure-trove of Chinese, African and Pre-Columbian Art.
Travel Department also want to tantalise your taste-buds on our tours and for those of you who love Italian food make sure you don’t leave without tasting the Osso Buca. This most famous dish in Lombardy is veal cooked to fall off the bone with tenderness and just some of the culinary treats waiting for you.
Their local guides always find the best places to ensure you have an authentic experience with us. They are used to spotting the stars and they’ll be able to help you find any who happen to be in town, while you are hiding from the limelight too of course.
With 25 years’ experience perfecting tours to 100 destinations worldwide, Travel Department’s escorted holidays typically include flights, accommodation, transfers and guided tours. They carefully plan your trip, so you experience the best holiday highlights accompanied by a friendly local guide. With Travel Department you see more!
Don’t forget…Donegal Daily has teamed up with Travel department to bring you special offers and unforgettable holidays. This exciting partnership brings readers exclusive offers, new and travel for Ireland holidays and tours around the world. To celebrate, we have an exclusive discount of €50pp on any new 2022 Italy holidays of 7 nights or more by using the code: VP-DONEGAL50 on www.traveldepartment.com/donegal-daily
