If museums are fed up and luxurious villas become boring, BlogoItaliano, in the continuation of previous materials about Lake Como in Italy, offers several ideas on how to make your vacation here an interesting and fascinating adventure, as well as tell you briefly about the "club" life of the city.
Overlook the surroundings Lake Como in Italy You can not only travel by water, but also conquering the local peaks. The mountain range stretching along the left coast is the Parco regionale Spina Verde National Park. These are the “lungs” of the city of the same name. It keeps archaeological remains and the history of the first settlements, the memory of the Second World War and the "smuggling" relations of Como with border Switzerland, and tells about the natural changes that have taken place in the region for centuries.
Bird's eye view of Lake Como
The symbol of the park is a watchtower Castello Baradello - built simultaneously with the city wall. From here a wide panorama of the central part of the city opens. From late August to mid-September, costumed reconstructions of medieval battles and the everyday life of the defenders of the fortress take place at Baradello.
Costumed reconstruction of medieval battles take place on Baradello every year
Climbing the Baradello hill, you can continue your journey along the green ridge through the Raspau hill to Monte Croce - the peak on which the Cross is located. Illuminated at night and seemingly soaring in the dark at night, it is visible from anywhere in the city. From Monte Croce you can go straight down to the ancient church of Sant'Abbondio or - on the back of the ridge past one of the ancient quarries - to Piazza Camerlata. If you walk a little further through the park, you can find the so-called “Paradise ladder” (it. Scale del Paradiso) of 900 steps, which was built in the era of the struggle of local customs officers with smugglers. More information about the park and its features can be found here.
Castello Baradello is a symbol of Como National Park
Vertex Brunate located on the opposite bank of Spina Verde. Upstairs there are several viewing platforms, one of which is located on the highest point of the mountain - where the lighthouse Alessandro Volta, open for visits, rushes into the sky.
Active holidays in Como
Aero Club Como in Italy - the only hydrogliding school in Europe. Here you can rent a small seaplane and explore the surroundings from a bird's eye view. All that is required is a pilot’s license and seaplane rental money. If you don’t have one, then you can unlearn and get a license right there. This pleasure at the Como Aero Club costs only 11,000 Euro * and requires six months of time and knowledge of the Italian language.
It is clear that not every tourist who comes on vacation to Lake Como finds a pilot license in a backpack. But if you want to fly, but you don’t perfectly know Italian (what other obstacles there may be for future pilots), then without any additional skills you can make an exciting half-hour air travel as a passenger. It is simpler and cheaper: from 80 Euro * per person.
Aero Club Como - the only hydrogliding school in Europe
Diving, kayaking, rowing. If you know these words firsthand, all conditions are created on Lake Como to spend time doing what you love.
Diving Center Como in Italy, it offers a wide range of courses, from the simplest acquaintance with equipment, to the training of instructors and obtaining licenses. And on Fridays, the Center conducts exciting night dives. Details of the club’s activities are here.
In the same building as Como Diving Center is located and kayaking schoolwhere, after several theoretical and practical exercises, you can go on group and individual trips around the lake. Without buying a club membership, a small practical-theoretical course will cost you about 100 euros *. If training is not necessary, just rent a kayak and row towards adventures.
On Fridays, Como Diving Center conducts exciting night dives
If you’re a master or simply can’t fall asleep without rowing, the local will open the door for you rowing school. An annual membership costs 630 euros *, but you can also purchase a six-month subscription for half the price. If you are not going to spend so much time in the city, it is possible to pay 20 lessons for 150 euros *, study with an instructor and swim for your pleasure.
AT Maritime School Annje Bannje and Yacht Club Como they will help you to master navigation skills, give you the opportunity to participate in these regattas and cruises or just rent a boat or yacht (if you have the appropriate license, of course). Conditions and other information can be found here and here.
Hiking in the vicinity of Lake Como in Italy. The foothills of the Alps is a real paradise for trekking enthusiasts. Here in a huge number there are travelers of all ages and nationalities (mainly European) in trekking boots, with trekking poles and no less trekking backpacks behind.
At any La Provincia newsstand you can buy map of walking routes of Como (for example, German Kompas) and go to conquer the surrounding peaks in a one-day light hike, on a weekend or a whole week. On some routes in the vicinity of Lake Como there are guest houses and small hotels where you can spend the night if you don’t have all the equipment necessary for a long trip (these points are usually marked on maps).
Como clubs will make your stay interesting and exciting.
For fans of mountaineering and climbing, there is also expanse, however, rocky mountains are found more in the northern and southeastern parts of the lake. More information about shelters, courses, walking tours can be found on the local website. Alpine club.
The club system involves membership and payment of an annual fee. But remember that you are in ITALY, where you can always agree on conditions that are convenient for you and compromise prices. The main condition is your desire. They will gladly meet you if you show your interest and can offer an interesting alternative! And don't be alarmed if you don’t speak Italian: in almost any club or school you will find someone who knows English.
* Prices for July 2013
Posted by Olga Logvina, Photos by: Olga Logvina, * Vly *, _ Night Flier _, Diving center como.
