Some travelers are drawn to Lake Como for its elegant villas, serene waters, and timeless atmosphere. Others are captivated by Portofino and the Italian Riviera, where colorful villages, the sea, and a more relaxed Mediterranean rhythm create a different sense of place.
As Italy travel specialists, we get to know what matters most to you, then shape the journey around your interests, preferred pace, and the way you want to experience these two destinations.
Rather than treating Lake Como and Portofino as separate stops, we consider how each can complement the other—from where you stay and how you travel between them to the experiences, dining, and moments that make each place feel distinctive.
The result is a private journey where two very different sides of Italy come together naturally—thoughtfully balanced, unhurried, and entirely your own.
To us, true luxury travel in Lake Como & Portofino isn't about choosing between elegance and relaxation. It's about bringing the two together naturally, with the right balance of experiences, beautiful surroundings, and time to simply enjoy where you are.
Lake Como and Portofino offer very different experiences, and the journey becomes richer when each complements the other. We shape the pace and experiences in each place so the transition feels natural—not simply like moving from one destination to the next.
Lake Como reveals itself through elegant villas, private boat journeys, lakeside villages, and quiet moments on the water. Portofino brings a more intimate Mediterranean atmosphere, with colorful harborfronts, coastal paths, local cuisine, and the timeless character of the Italian Riviera.
Thoughtful pacing and seamless transitions create space for private experiences, leisurely meals, time on the water, and moments simply to enjoy your surroundings—without ever feeling rushed.
From where you stay and how you travel between destinations to your guides, experiences, dining, and the rhythm of each day, every choice is made with the journey as a whole in mind.
Discover how Lake Como & Portofino can become
part of your bespoke journey through Italy.
Personally selected by our Italy specialists
to complement every journey we design.
Villa d’Este represents the pinnacle of Lake Como luxury, combining Renaissance splendor with impeccable modern service. The property’s storied history as a former cardinal’s residence and royal retreat is evident in every carefully preserved detail. Its legendary gardens—featuring the iconic mosaic walkway, centuries-old trees, and the celebrated nymphaeum—create a fairytale setting unmatched in the region.
The exceptional staff provides discreet, personalized service that has earned the loyalty of discerning travelers for generations.
This refined boutique property offers the rare combination of historic Como city center location with direct lakefront access. Its intimate scale allows for truly personalized service while providing sophisticated amenities typically found in larger luxury hotels. Vista Palazzo creates a perfect base for exploring Lake Como’s treasures by both water and land, with the added advantage of Como’s charming streets, shops, and restaurants just steps away.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo offers a quintessential Italian lake experience with unparalleled views of Bellagio and the Grigne mountains. This family-owned historic gem balances traditional Italian elegance with modern luxury amenities. The property’s multiple swimming options—including the iconic floating pool on the lake—combined with its lush gardens and exceptional dining create an unforgettable Lake Como experience.
Families are welcomed warmly, while couples seeking romance find endless intimate settings throughout the property.
This architectural masterpiece offers a bold contemporary alternative to Como’s traditional grand hotels. Il Sereno’s minimalist design creates a sense of serene luxury where the spectacular lake views remain the undisputed focal point. The exceptional service combines warmth with precision, while the intimate scale allows for personalized attention that anticipates guests’ needs.
Perfect for sophisticated travelers seeking a fresh interpretation of Italian lakeside elegance.
Personally experienced by our Italy specialists
to enrich every journey we design.
Step into the heart of Italy’s fashion capital with a private shopping experience curated just for you. Designed for discerning travelers with an eye for style, this personalized tour takes you through Milan’s most iconic fashion neighborhoods—from world-famous designer boutiques to hidden ateliers known only to locals.
With your dedicated fashion-savvy guide, uncover the secrets of Milanese elegance. Stroll through the legendary Quadrilatero della Moda, where names like Armani, Prada, and Versace sit alongside artisan tailors and up-and-coming designers. Whether you’re seeking timeless couture, trendsetting finds, or bespoke accessories, your experience is tailored to your individual tastes and interests.
This refined experience goes beyond shopping. As you move through elegant streets and historic arcades, gain insight into Milan’s rich sartorial heritage—where craftsmanship, culture, and creativity have been intertwined for centuries. Perfect for style-conscious families, couples, or fashion enthusiasts, this immersive journey blends luxury, discovery, and insider access to Milan’s most exclusive fashion scene.
Both Lake Como and Portofino are at their most vibrant from spring through early autumn, when blooming gardens, crystalline waters, and the landscapes of the Italian Riviera are at their most beautiful. The experience, however, changes with the season.
Late spring and early summer are ideal for enjoying the lake by private boat, exploring gardens and historic villas, and experiencing the Italian Riviera before the height of the summer season. July and August bring longer days, warmer weather, and a livelier atmosphere, while September and early October offer a more relaxed pace, warm days, and fewer visitors.
We consider the season, weather, availability, and the experiences you want to enjoy when determining the right time for your journey—so that the timing itself becomes part of how the journey is designed.
Our specialty is designing bespoke journeys throughout Italy lasting one week or longer, with most of our clients traveling between one and three weeks. Lake Como and Portofino are often combined as part of a broader journey through Italy, although some travelers choose to spend more time exploring the lakes and the Italian Riviera in greater depth.
The right amount of time depends on how you want to experience each destination and how they fit within the rhythm of your broader Italy journey. We consider travel times, accommodations, experiences, and the pace of each stay so that neither destination feels rushed or simply added as another stop.
Absolutely. Lake Como and Portofino can pair naturally with destinations such as Milan, Florence & Tuscany, Venice, Rome, or the Amalfi Coast, depending on the pace, interests, and overall character of the journey.
Rather than treating each destination as a separate stop, we consider travel times, accommodations, experiences, and transitions so that each place naturally complements the next and the entire itinerary feels like one cohesive journey.
Rather than adapting a predefined itinerary, we begin by understanding how you want to experience this part of Italy. Your interests, preferred pace, travel style, and personal priorities guide every recommendation—from where you stay to how you spend your time on the water, explore villages, dine, and experience the landscape.
For one traveler, that might mean private boat days on Lake Como, elegant dining, and time to simply enjoy the setting. For another, it might mean exploring coastal paths, discovering local traditions, visiting historic villas, or spending more time immersed in the landscape.
The result is a journey that feels personal, balanced, and entirely your own.
Choosing the right place to stay is about far more than selecting a beautiful hotel. Location, atmosphere, and access can significantly shape how you experience both the lake and the coast.
Whether that means staying on the shores of Lake Como, choosing a quieter lakeside setting, or selecting an elegant property in Portofino or along the Italian Riviera, every recommendation is personally evaluated by our Italy specialists and selected because it complements the way you want to experience the region.
We place great importance on recommending properties that meet the standards our clients expect. Here, what matters is not only the property itself, but its relationship with the lake or sea, the surrounding village, and the sense of privacy and access it offers.
We recommend only accommodations we know and trust, drawing on our firsthand knowledge and long-established relationships with trusted partners throughout Italy, cultivated over years of designing bespoke journeys exclusively within Italy.
Yes. We design exclusively private journeys throughout Italy, including Lake Como and Portofino. Depending on your interests, your journey may include a private boat on the lake, a classic Riva experience, privately guided visits to historic villas, time with local artisans, culinary experiences, coastal excursions, hiking, exceptional dining, or meaningful local encounters.
That might mean experiencing Lake Como from the water before enjoying a leisurely lunch in Bellagio, discovering a historic villa at the right time of day, or exploring Portofino and the surrounding coastline through carefully chosen experiences that reveal its distinctive Mediterranean character.
Every experience is personally evaluated by our Italy specialists and selected because it contributes something meaningful to the journey—whether a deeper cultural connection, access to a place you would not otherwise discover, or simply an unforgettable moment that belongs naturally within the journey as a whole.
Absolutely. Lake Como and Portofino offer a natural combination of beauty, culture, cuisine, time on the water, and experiences that can be adapted to different ages and interests.
We design each journey around the way your family prefers to travel, balancing shared experiences with time to relax and creating a rhythm that works naturally for everyone.
That might mean a private boat day on the lake, exploring a historic villa with a guide who brings its history to life, discovering local cuisine together, or choosing coastal experiences that allow different generations to enjoy the landscape at their own pace.
Every recommendation has a purpose within the journey as a whole.
Luxury travel in Lake Como & Portofino is defined not simply by the beauty of the destinations, but by how naturally the different elements of the journey come together.
The experience depends on knowing where to stay, when to move, how long each transition actually takes, which experiences are worth prioritizing, and when to leave space simply to enjoy the setting. We consider these details together so that the journey feels balanced rather than overplanned.
Because we know these destinations firsthand and have longstanding local relationships, we can coordinate the right places, experiences, timing, and transitions around the way you want to travel.
The result is not simply a collection of beautiful hotels and experiences, but a cohesive private journey in which every element feels as though it belongs exactly where it is.
Explore destinations that could
naturally become part of your time in Italy.
Whatever your vision for Italy, we'll create a bespoke journey that's entirely your own.
Every journey begins with understanding what matters most to you. We design journeys through careful listening, trusted insight, and a deep understanding of the country we call home.
Go beyond the expected through long-standing local relationships that open doors to authentic experiences, exceptional places, and meaningful connections few travelers ever discover.
Luxury is not about excess, but meaningful experiences and refined comfort. Every journey blends thoughtful service with a deep connection to Italy's places, people, and traditions.
This is our second incredible Italian adventure with Nancy Aiello Tours. As always, they delivered exceptional, personalized service throughout our trip. Our travel advisor, Stefania, went above and beyond by not only sending a detailed email outlining options that perfectly matched our requests but also by taking the time to call us personally to learn more about our family, travel plans, and specific desires. Every aspect of our trip was seamlessly handled, from luxurious accommodations and efficient transportation to knowledgeable and engaging tour guides.
Eva - Published 16 December 2024 on Trustpilot
Guest
We used Nancy Aiello Tours for the first time to have them plan our Italian honeymoon. Our consultant Stefania was magnificent. We never could have planned anything as amazing and seamless! The people, food and country were all so wonderful! Thank you for making our dream come true!
Kelly C. - Published September 14, 2024 on Tripadvisor
Guest
"Although we, unfortunately, couldn’t travel due to unforeseen medical reasons, I have to commend the outstanding service we received from this travel agency, especially from Enrico. From the moment we reached out, Enrico went above and beyond to help us plan the perfect Italian getaway. His attention to detail, responsiveness, and deep knowledge of Italy’s hidden gems were remarkable. What truly stood out was his genuine care and understanding when we had to cancel. "
Tiago Martins - Published 15 December 2024 on Trustpilot
Guest
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