2025 and 2026 Painting Holiday on Lake Como ITALY

This breathtaking LAKE COMO art holiday destination will surprise you with its colours, its refinement and ‘delicate’ way of life.

During a week, our group and tutor stay on Lake Como, in Bellagio at a hotel 15 minutes from the centre, in a calm area near the lake. You and group will paint in the delightful triangle of Bellagio, Menaggio and Veranna directly on lake como.

LAKE COMO: Of glacial origin dating back to the last Ice Age, about 10,000 years ago, the famous Y shaped lake is Europe’s deepest at 410 metres. It is the 3rd largest with a perimeter of 170km. Under Roman occupation (Emperor Augustus) it was an important trade route between the Alps and Switzerland. In 49 BC Como town was under the rule of Julius Caesar, where it flourished and became very wealthy, thus attracting Goths and Huns who heavily taxed wealthy citizens. After a period of Milanese rule, it began to decline under Spanish and French rule until it fell under Austrian rule under Charles VI. Finally in 1859 Lake Como joined the Kingdom of Italy. 21st century lake Como is of course famous for George Clooney (!) but also for its silk and fabric industry with students travelling from all over the world seeking to learn the art of silk-screen printing and design. It is also known for furniture design and manufacture. Lake Como is one of Italy’s favourite destinations, loved by celebrities and wealthy tourists.

What’s included in this Lake Como painting holiday?

• Tuition

• Equipment: Board, stool, easel (optional).

• Materials: Paints, brushes, paper.

• Excursions at beautiful painting sites in Bellagio, Menaggio, Varenna and Villa Monastero.

• Entry to Villa Monastero.

• Accommodation: Ensuite Room for 7 nights at a hotel in Bellagio close to the lake.

• All restaurant meals with wine at dinner included (except on the free day).

• Short ferry transportation around Lake Como to painting excursions.

  THIS YEAR’S DATES:

  JUNE 29 - JULY 6 2024 - Fulfilled

  NEXT YEAR’S DATES:

  MAY 24 - 31 2025 - NOW OPEN FOR BOOKINGS!

  PRICES:

  £175 at booking. The remainder 4 months prior to the holiday or within 4 days after booking if less than 4 months to the holiday.

  Please note: A knee surgery or a son’s wedding could pop up after you book! This is why our booking payments are transferrable for a period of 24 months after the date of purchase under our Terms.

  EVERYTHING LISTED INCLUDED IN THE HOLIDAY.

  Accommodation in a lovely family-run hotel in Bellagio close to the lake:

  ENSUITE ROOM in SINGLE OCCUPANCY:

• £175 Booking payment + £1690 SINGLE ROOM - French double bed with ensuite bathroom. BREAKFAST ONLY (You pay for your meals separately; Perfect for light eaters or special diets).

• £175 Booking payment + £1890 SINGLE ROOM - French double bed with ensuite bathroom. ALL RESTAURANT MEALS (except on the free day).

  DELUXE ENSUITE ROOM in SINGLE OCCUPANCY.

• £175 Booking payment + £1790 SINGLE ROOM - Large double bed with ensuite bathroom and balcony with LAKE VIEW OR PRIVATE TERRACE with view on the hills. BREAKFAST ONLY (You pay for your meals separately; Perfect for light eaters or special diets)

• £175 Booking payment + £1990 SINGLE ROOM - Large double bed with ensuite bathroom and balcony with LAKE VIEW OR PRIVATE TERRACE with view on the hills. ALL RESTAURANT MEALS (except on the free day).

  You are coming with a PAINTING FRIEND and wish to share an Ensuite room (Smaller Twin or Double):

• £175 Booking payment (per person) + £1390 (per person). BREAKFAST ONLY (You pay for your meals separately; Perfect for light eaters or special diets).

• £175 Booking payment (per person) + £1590 (per person). ALL RESTAURANT MEALS (except on the free day).

  You are coming with a PAINTING FRIEND and wish to share a DELUXE Ensuite Room (Larger Twin or Double).

• £175 Booking payment (per person) + £1590 (per person). Large double bed with ensuite bathroom and balcony with LAKE VIEW OR PRIVATE TERRACE with view on the hills. BREAKFAST ONLY (You pay for your meals separately; Perfect for light eaters or special diets).

• £175 Booking payment (per person) + £1790 (per person). Large double bed with ensuite bathroom and balcony with LAKE VIEW OR PRIVATE TERRACE with view on the hills. ALL RESTAURANT MEALS (except on the free day).

  You are coming with a NON-PAINTER (Shared Ensuite Room, Twin or double):

• £175 Booking payment (per person) + £1690 (painter) + £895 (non-painter). BREAKFAST ONLY (You pay for your meals separately; Perfect for light eaters or special diets).

• £175 Booking payment (per person) + £1890 (painter) + £995 (non-painter). ALL RESTAURANT MEALS (except on the free day).

  You are coming with a NON-PAINTER (Shared DELUXE Ensuite Room, Twin or double):

• £175 Booking payment (per person) + £1790 (painter) + £995 (non-painter). BREAKFAST ONLY (You pay for your meals separately; Perfect for light eaters or special diets).

• £175 Booking payment (per person) + £1990 (painter) + £1095 (non-painter). ALL RESTAURANT MEALS (except on the free day).

  Not included: Getting to Bellagio accommodation, minibar consumption, travel insurance, 1 lunch and 1 dinner on free day. City tax +-£2/night. Drinks or snacks outside of meals.

  Important: You must be able to walk at a normal pace from our hotel to Bellagio (15 minutes) and on our outings.

  Closest airports are: Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Orio al Serio in Bergamo.

Accommodation in Bellagio:

Daily Schedule for this painting holiday on Lake Como:

Day 1: Guests will be welcomed starting 5.30/6.00 PM at the hotel. Participants will meet each other and the tutor. Dinner at a local trattoria. Let the fun begin!!! A late arrival on the first day is not a problem, simply let us know!

Day 2: Late morning. Breakfast at the hotel. In the painting room: Demo for beginner watercolour participants. Still-life withe the tutor’s help for participants using other mediums so that they can get a feel of their materials. Lunch at a local trattoria. A relaxing afternoon is planned in Bellagio with a view of lake Como and its mountains. Dinner at a local trattoria.

Day 3: Breakfast. Free morning to relax or paint in the painting room. Lunch at a local trattoria. Fun painting session on the lake in Bellagio. Don’t forget to take your bathing suit! Dinner at a local trattoria.

Day 4: Breakfast. Late morning ferry to Menaggio. Lunch and afternoon painting session there. Afternoon ferry back to Bellagio (those wishing to go back to Bellagio at a later hour will have their own ticket to do so).

Day 5: Breakfast. Free day. There are numerous amounts of things to keep busy! Visit Villa del Balbianello (‘Star Wars villa’) in Tremezzina, Villa Melzi in Bellaggio, or Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo. Please note that there are no meals on the free day except for breakfast.

Day 6: Breakfast. Morning ferry North-Eastward to visit the gorgeous Villa Monastero, where we will have lunch. The afternoon is spent painting in Varenna. A quick ferry ride and we will be back in Bellagio to rest and have dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 7: Breakfast. Free morning. Painting room always open if wishing to use it. Lunch at a local trattoria. Painting at Bellagio sea front in the shade. Fun snacky dinner at a local winery with cheese and prosciuto.

Day 8: Breakfast and goodbyes/check out by 10 AM.

Book your painting holiday today £175 (transferable 24 months under our Terms).

PRACTICAL INFORMATION: To get to Bellagio from Milan, it is best to take a train to Como, and a ferry from Como to Bellagio. The hotel is a 15 m-minute walk from the Bellagio ferry or a 3 minute taxi ride. For information, right in front of the ferry ticket booth, you can purchase a 2€ ticket ride on “the little red train” which will stop you near the hotel (notify them when you get on)!