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The centre of activity moves around the Piazza Cavour. There are many musical festivals which take place in the square during the summer. Walk from the square to the Piazza del Duomo. This is the heart of the old town. There are cafes and ice cream bars in front of the wonderful façade of the Duomo, itself the most important and beautiful building in the whole of the city. View the statues on the façade of Como’s famous sons, Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger (can link to Pompeii if headed there).
· Across from the Piazza Cavour on the waterfront you can take a ferry to various points around the lake such as Bellagio and Varenna. Bellagio is 2 hours by ferry or 35 – 45 mins by hydrofoil. Varenna is a further 15 mins by ferry or 5 mins by hydrofoil. Timetable leaflets are available from the ferry ticket office and online. They are difficult to understand, but if you have internet access, then Gestione Navigazione Laghi will give you times and destinations in English.
· If you have less time, then walk along the lake front to the Villa Olmo. This is a leisurely walk of around max 40 mins. It may be closed, as it is used for various exhibitions, but the park is open to the public and the walk is fantastic. It is considered the loveliest of all the villas surrounding the lake – and it was grand enough for Napoleon.
Big department stores can be found on the edge of the Piazza
Cavour plus there is a corner pharmacy. Smaller shops can be found in the small streets leading off from the Duomo square which are pleasant to explore.
· Tourist office, (tel.031269712) ferry ticket office (0800551801) and railway stations are indicated on the above map, as is the Tempio Voltiano, a museum dedicated to Alessandro Volta which includes a host of scientific instruments used by the inventor of the battery.
· 80% of European silk is made here in Como. There is a silk museum “Museo Didattico Della Seta” which provides silk for the big names Dior, Versace, Lagerfeld etc. If your group are really interested, then you can ring and book at +39(0)31 303 180. They will give a reduction, €4 for students vs €10 normally. The address is Via Castelnuovo 9. They can buy silk there also.
· There is a funicular. Follow the Lungo Lario Trieste east, alongside the lake’s edge to the Pza de Gasperi. It takes you up to the top of Brunate in about 10 minutes, from where there are spectacular views. The funicular has been operating since 1894, and runs every half hour. Single ticket: €3, return ticket: €5.50.
