The shoreline drifts away, Menaggio becomes a ribbon of pastel-coloured houses, and ahead appear, ever closer, the patrician villas with their vibrant gardens, the striking mountains, and the villages clinging to the rocks. It is the moment when Lake Como ceases to be a backdrop and a panorama, and becomes an experience.
From the private pier of Grand Hotel Menaggio, it is possible to set off on private boat tours on Lake Como, to fully experience its rarefied, suspended atmosphere, discovering gems such as Bellagio, Varenna, Tremezzo, and the historic villas that reveal the most elegant face of the Lario, and which cinema has turned into icons.
Accompanying you on this journey is a Cranchi E26 Classic, equipped with a bathroom, minibar, hot shower, and sunbathing areas — amenities designed to make every moment of the day comfortable, from sightseeing cruises to aperitifs on the lake. On board this elegant day cruiser, with its sophisticated yet sporty style, you can sail Lake Como choosing the itinerary that best suits you, or creating a tailor-made one.
Leaving the private jetty of Grand Hotel Menaggio, the day cruiser will take you on a journey through the most iconic wonders of Lake Como, starting from Tremezzo to admire the historic Villa Heinz, formerly known as Villa Oleandra, and Villa Carlotta, with its gardens overlooking the water. The cruise continues towards Bellagio, the scenic heart of the Lario, passing in front of Villa Melzi and, depending on the time available, extending as far as the point where the lake opens out towards the branches of Lecco and Como.
The itinerary can be customized and extended according to the chosen duration, and a stop at Villa del Balbianello can be arranged: one of the most famous historic residences on Lake Como, with its terraced gardens overlooking a striking promontory in Lenno, it has served as a film location for Star Wars Episode II and Casino Royale.
More extensive itineraries may include Villa Cassinella, one of the most exclusive and private residences on the lake, today associated with Sir Richard Branson; Villa Balbiano, an elegant historic mansion made famous by House of Gucci; Isola Comacina, small and evocative, ideal for a brief stop or a swim in the waters of the Lario; Laglio, a quiet village known for George Clooney’s villa; the Orrido di Nesso, a spectacular natural gorge where water plunges between the rocks into the lake; and finally the city of Como, with its lakeside promenade, historic centre and architecture overlooking the water.
