Culture & Discovery · Italy
Lake Como Discovery
Arrive on your own; Steve and a group of about 19 are with you the whole way.
14 Oct 2026 – 19 Oct 2026 5 nights from £999pp own travel
Hosted by Steve Dell 19 people have booked so far
Places available Welcome to Italy's premier lake - Lago di Como
In recent years we have visited a couple of Italy's great lakes - Garda and Maggiore but we have never cracked perhaps it's premium destination - until now! Lake Como is one of the premier destinations in northern Italy, renowned for its dramatic Y-shaped glacial waters, backdrop of the Alps, and a centuries-old reputation as a retreat for royalty and celebrities. Whether you are seeking "la dolce vita" through fine dining, exploring historic villas, or active adventure in the mountains, the region offers a diverse array of experiences.
Our hotel is located in the city of Como itself which is set on the southern tip of the western prong of Lake Como an great location the enjoy exploration of the Lake and surrounding countryside.
If you've visited one of the great Italian Lakes with us before why not tick another one off your list, if it's your first time then what a way to begin!
Availability and pricing
| Option | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Como Discovery | ||
| Own flight without transfers | £999.00 | 5 places left |
| London Gatwick | £1239.00 | 10 places left |
| Manchester | £1239.00 | 8 places left |
| Lake Como Discovery - Accommodation | ||
| Place in a double room (must be for 2) | £0.00 | Sold out |
| Place in a twin share room | £0.00 | 6 places left |
| Place in a single room | £309.00 | Sold out |
| Place in a sole occupancy room | £469.00 | 3 places left |
Why you'll love this holiday
- You stay in Como itself, ten minutes' walk from the historic centre.
- Ferries run to Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio whenever you fancy a day out.
- Your host gathers everyone over breakfast to plan, and in the bar afterwards.
Where you'll go
One of the most renowned destinations in the world, Lake Como is particularly appreciated for the beauty of the landscape and nature, for the small and characteristic villages that still preserve ancient traditions, its numerous villas and botanical gardens and for its museums and historical monuments. As Stendhal said, Lake Como is "an enchanting place"... so what are you waiting for, come and visit us!
Exploring Lake Como from the city of Como is best achieved via the Navigazione Laghi ferry system, offering scenic, efficient, and direct access to central lake towns like Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio. Highlights include taking the historic Funicolare Como-Brunate for panoramic views, exploring the city’s Duomo and museums, and taking boat trips to villas.
Your Spice Escapes host will of course be on hand to arrange meet ups over breakfast so you can talk about what you plan to do during the day and in the evening you can all meet in the hotels’ bar to chat about the day’s adventures before enjoying your evening meal and whatever else takes your fancy for the rest of the night.
What's included
- International flights
- Transfers to/from Lake Como
- 4* hotel accommodation (local rating)
- Local tourist tax
- 5 breakfasts
- 1 evening meal
- Your Spice host, Steve Dell
Not included
- Room supplements if selected
- Some drinks & some meals
- Optional excursions & personal extras.
- Personal travel Insurance
Travel and where you'll stay
Hotel Como, Como ****
https://www.hcomo.it/en
The Hotel Como 4**** is located just 10 minutes walk from the historic centre and 20 minutes from the lakefront. The property offers 79 spacious and modern rooms, a terrace with a refreshment area and swimming pool and a lobby bar, free fibre optic broadband WIFI, gym, city bikes available for free (subject to availability). The swimming pool and the pool bar are located on the 5th floor on the roof garden terrace where you can admire a panoramic view of the city and the green hilly area that surrounds it. Start the day in the best possible way with the breakfast buffet, enjoy the rich and wide choice of sweet and savoury, hot and cold products... enjoy your breakfast!
Our room allocation is for twin, double, single and sole occupancy rooms. Single rooms have a single bed and sole occupancy rooms are double bedded rooms (supplements reflect this).
Room services
Guest Services
Getting there
Departing from London Gatwick or Manchester.
London Gatwick
Manchester
These are the times currently scheduled. Airlines change them, sometimes months before departure, so please treat them as provisional rather than final.
Before you travel
Passport validity
For UK passport holders your passport must be:
- issued less than 10 years before the day you enter (check the "date of issue")
- valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the "expiry date")
You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.
Entry rules for EU travel — EES, ETIAS and your GHIC
EU Entry/Exit System (EES)
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is being introduced gradually across the external borders of the European countries that use it, including the collection of biometric data such as a facial image and fingerprints. Passports continue to be stamped as usual in the meantime.
Further information: travel-europe.europa.eu/ees
ETIAS
UK citizens will eventually need a travel authorisation (ETIAS) to enter the European countries that require it for short stays. It is linked to your passport and valid for up to three years. There is no confirmed start date yet — we will let everyone know when it is required and how to apply.
Global Health Insurance Card
A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), or a still-valid EHIC, gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the EU. It is not a replacement for travel insurance.
Travel insurance
Please ensure that you have adequate personal travel insurance to suit your requirements in place before you travel.
Who else is going
The question everyone asks and nobody wants to.
- On this departure
- 19 people booked The operator's own count for this trip — you'd make 20. It can still grow before you travel.
- Travelling alone
- Most people book on their own
Gallery
Before you book
Will I be the only one on my own?
No. Almost everyone books on their own — that is the whole point of the trip. Nobody has to pair up and nobody sits on their own at dinner unless they want to.
Do I have to share a room?
Only if you want to. Sharing a twin with another solo traveller of the same sex costs nothing extra, and it is how most people keep the price down. If you would rather have a room to yourself, you can — see the single-room price on the trip you are looking at.
Is there a single supplement?
There is a charge for a room of your own and it varies a great deal by trip, so the honest answer is the figure on the holiday you are looking at rather than an average. What there is not is any obligation to pay it: sharing a twin with another solo traveller of the same sex costs nothing extra, and it is a genuine option rather than a token one.
Every holiday with a single room available, and what each one costs, is listed on single rooms and single supplements.
How big is the group?
Small enough to learn everyone’s name in the first day or two. Group sizes vary by trip and are listed on each holiday.
What does the host actually do?
Your host is there to make your holiday feel easy, welcoming and fun. They travel with the group throughout the trip, help everyone get to know each other, keep things running smoothly and are there if you need anything along the way.
They’re not a traditional holiday rep — they’re part of the group, sharing the experience with you and helping make sure nobody feels left out.
Is my money protected?
Yes. Payments are held in a bonded trust account and the holidays are ATOL protected under licence 9046.
What age are the other travellers?
It varies by trip. Most groups span a wide range of ages with a shared interest in the destination rather than a shared birth year.
Is there a minimum age?
Yes — 18. Spice Escapes holidays are adults only.
Most people who travel with us are in their forties and beyond, but that is who books rather than a rule. There is no upper age limit, and two people travelling together do not need to be a similar age: a daughter in her thirties travelling with her mother in her sixties is an ordinary booking.
What travellers say
4.9/5 from 63 reviews on Google
Google review · May 2026 As a first time slightly nervous single traveller, my SPICE holiday in Cyprus was a great experience, lovely hotel, great company and I am now looking forward to my next holiday to Lake Como with SPICE later this year .
Questions about this holiday?
Ring the office, send us a question, or chat any hour. A real person, not a call centre.
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