Lake Como — 50km north of Milan, framed by Alpine peaks, studded with Belle Époque villas — is the definition of Italian elegance. A destination that has attracted European royalty, Hollywood stars, and old-money families for three centuries, Como operates as a natural extension of the Milan private aviation circuit and one of Europe's most sought-after villa rental destinations.
Milan Linate and Malpensa: The Como Arrival
Lake Como is served by three airports, each with different positioning advantages. Milan Linate Airport (LIN) — 60km south of Como, 45-minute transfer — is the preferred private aviation choice for its proximity to central Milan combined with reasonable Como transfer. Linate's business aviation terminal (Alisud FBO) is among Milan's finest. Transfer from Linate to Bellagio (by private car, 60 minutes) or direct to Villa d'Este by speedboat (arranged from Cernobbio).
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) — 80km south of Como, 55-minute transfer — handles more long-range private aviation operations and is the choice for intercontinental arrivals. Lugano Airport (LUG, Switzerland) — 40km north, 35-minute transfer — is the most underutilised Como gateway: smaller airport, efficient Swiss customs, and excellent transfer to the northern lake. FFGR Jets uses the Lugano option for discreet arrivals.
Villa d'Este and the Como Lake Hotels
The Grand Hotel Villa d'Este (Cernobbio, Como lakefront, 1568 Renaissance villa) is the most celebrated hotel on Lake Como — 152 rooms and suites in the main 16th-century villa and adjacent Cardinal's Building, floating pool on the lake, 15 acres of formal Italian gardens. The Villa d'Este has operated as a luxury hotel since 1873; Verdi, Churchill, and the Duke of Windsor are among its documented guests.
The Mandarin Oriental Lake Como (Blevio, north of Como town, 2024 opening) is the lake's newest ultra-luxury arrival — 21 private villas and residences along 300 metres of private Como shoreline, private jetty, boat access. Villa Balbianello (Lenno, Tremezzina) — the 18th-century villa famous as the Star Wars and James Bond (Casino Royale) filming location — is open to the public but available for private evening events for UHNW groups through the FAI (Italian National Trust). FFGR Jets arranges private Villa Balbianello dinner access.
Bellagio, Varenna, and the Private Speedboat Circuit
Bellagio — the village at the exact tip of the Lariano peninsula where the two southern arms of Lake Como divide — is the lake's most photographed destination and its finest artisan shopping quarter (silk scarves, leather, Italian ceramics). The Grand Hotel Bellagio (renovated 2022) and Villa Serbelloni (Rockefeller Foundation retreat, rarely open to outside guests) are the defining addresses.
The classic Como private speedboat circuit (a 3-4 hour programme from Cernobbio or Bellagio): north to Varenna (Castello di Vezio, 12th-century tower with views, private falconry experience) → Bellano gorge → Menaggio → west lake return via Villa Carlotta (Neoclassical villa, azalea gardens) → Tremezzina → Villa Balbianello approach by water → return to base. FFGR Jets provides private Riva Aquarama speedboat (the classic 1960s Chris-Craft equivalent, Italy's most iconic lake boat) with private captain and prosecco service as the standard Como water circuit.
