Lake Como offers stunning alpine scenery, venues of Hollywood blockbuster fame, and la Dolce vita from the top table. Como meeting & incentive events are as eye candy as they come.
Churchill holidayed, George bought, and Brad married – today Como is probably the most famous stretch of freshwater in Europe, possibly the world. With a magical setting on the southern flank of the Alps, Como offers event backdrops like few other locations.
Across the Alps there are numerous lakes, providing wonderful event settings, but few places offer the grand villas of Como, event venues that are both unique and jaw-droppingly stylish. In Como the filmsets are made of stone, oozing historic beauty, and with truly unforgettable settings.
Before the paparazzi arrived, Como enjoyed global fame as the birthplace of the battery, courtesy of Como physicist, Alessandro Volta. Como silk is prized, and the town is awash with boutiques and ateliers, whilst wonderful restaurants serve magical Lombardy cuisine.
Sea planes buzz the skies offering views of the lake, mountains and villas, the nearby funicular accesses wonderful vantage points, boats ply the serene waters, whilst there are further event activities in the mountains and northern stretch of the lake.
LAKE COMO EVENT - OVERVIEW
Facts & figures
- Population: 85 000
- June ave. temp. 23°C
- September ave. temp. 21°C
Airport transfers
- Milan | 32 miles
- Turin | 107 miles
- Verona | 119 miles
Culture
- Historic sites
- Wine tours
- Museums
- Villa tours
- Silk tours
Action
- Canyoning
- Water sports
- Scenic flights
- Hiking
- Sailing
- Mountain biking
LAKE COMO CITY & TOWNS
Lake Como is dominated by the ‘city’ of Como on the southern tip of the lake. The city is both small by international comparisons and large by regional significance. With a population of 85 000 Como is by some way the dominant commercial, cultural, and administrative location in the region.
Como centre is a historic quarter of the city, with intimate squares and walkways located around the Gothic Cathedral. Boutique shops, and ateliers reflect the role that silk played in the city’s development, as well as the wider artisan influence of Milan. With shopping done, visitors can be found enjoying the delights of a Lombardy menu at one of the central restaurants.
On the northern edge of the city, and just minutes from the Cathedral is the Como waterfront, complete with marina and promenade. Boats leave this area for other parts of the lake, offering the chance to view the private villas which are the signature of Lake Como.
The larger hotels of Lake Como are all located in and around Como centre and there are several offering meeting and conference facilities. Outside of the central area of Como, the city extends up the shores of the lake, whilst a funicular rises above the city to the town of Brunate. The only other destination of any size is Lecco which located on the eastern arm of the lake.
LAKE COMO EVENT ACTIVITIES
Canyoning
Slide, leap or abseil down the raging rivers around Como.
City tours
Explore the city and back streets of Como on a city walking tour.
Sunset cruise
Take to the waters of Lake Como and enjoy a sunset social event.
LAKE COMO DINING
It will surprise few that Como offers a truly divine dining experience. Como is a wealthy city that has welcomed guests from Switzerland and Milan for many years. It offers some wonderful dining options in superb locations and remarkable venues.
The Lombardy menu is full of northern Italian influences with cheeses, stuffed pasta, meat, and fish dishes and of course risotto. Event delegates can be certain of leaving with a few extra ounces.
As well as the sumptuous dishes, the settings in and around Como make the dining experience so much more special. Restaurants are located throughout the historic and intimate centre of Como, as well as on waterfront terraces.
Truly special group dining venues can be arranged in historic villas – spectacular, ancient spaces full of atmosphere, with capacity for entertainment and breakouts on to the lake shore.
LAKE COMO NIGHTLIFE
Como is the commercial and social capital of the region, with the city of 85K population offering a wide range of nightlife. The historic centre of Como has intimate bars and terraces amongst its pedestrianised streets.
There are waterfront bars along Como’s promenade whilst the local mountains offer venues with magical views of the lake and region.
Private villas are some of the most memorable places to throw a corporate event party. Catering, entertainment, and drinks menus can all be customised to match the event planner’s requirements.
To combine nightlife with culture, a wine tour in the northern section of Lake Como can be a fantastic way to start an evening.
LAKE COMO MEETINGS & SEMINARS
There are numerous venues in the heart of Como, some modern, others historic. Just a short drive out of Como centre is the Villa Erba congress centre, a modern conference complex located amongst wonderful, expansive gardens.
The gardens feature a boat jetty as well as the stunning Villa Erba, a 19th century villa on the shores of the lake. The villa offers the chance to combine meetings in the dedicated congress centre with breakouts and social activities in the stunning villa, its grounds and waterfront.
Meeting settings in Como are truly extraordinary, with historic venues amongst the wonderful natural scenery. Como is located in the wealthy northern part of Italy, very close to the Swiss border – it is a region of great economic significance.
With direct train connections to both Zurich and Milan and Milan airport just 32 miles by road, Como offers great accessibility. And when the meetings are finished, the activities and dining make Como a special meeting / conference event destination.
LAKE COMO - THE UNMISSABLE
There are lakes to match the scenery of Lake Como throughout the Alps, but nowhere does waterfront villas like Lake Como.
Villa venues can deliver a unique, truly memorable moment in any meeting & incentive event programme.
Organise your Lake Como meeting or incentive event with us.
Email or call us on +44 (0) 20 8123 7817.
Provide a little information as to your Lake Como event needs and we can begin to develop some initial ideas for you.