From Milan To Lake Como This Is Italy's Most Epic Drive

Whether you’re going on a city break, heading down to the coast or into the great outdoors, renting a Hertz car keeps you in control of your holiday and helps you get the most from your experience. Often the journeys are as memorable as the destinations themselves; stopping off to see natural wonders and picturesque towns gives you a greater sense of connection to the country you’re visiting. With Hertz you can have just that: a hassle-free experience with a great range of vehicles to choose from, whether you want to feel the coastal breeze through your hair in a convertible, tackle winding country roads in a four-wheel drive or zoom around in a small, fun city car.

The industrial and financial engine of the country, Milan is the most cosmopolitan of Italian cities, though it is nevertheless built on a long and winding history that stretches back into antiquity. It’s the perfect place to zoom through by car, passing from the glass-and-steel financial center into the thriving arts district, and further out into the peaceful little villages on nearby Lake Como.

Milan Porta Nuova

The Porta Nuova district of Milan is Italy’s most futuristic looking; geometric chrome surfaces rise sharply into the sky, carving out a glittering skyline. Since the late 2000s, it’s been in a period of accelerated development, with office towers and luxury residences shooting up like mushrooms. Home to fancy stores, cultural centers and towering art installations, this neighborhood has all the contemporary luxury of an urban commercial center. Here, visitors can stop and take in the best of modern Italy before moving onto Navigli; a lively district boasting the perfect mix of old and new.

Tall towers make up the Porta Nuova skyline

A piece of Venice in Milan, this district is known for the navigable system of canals that dates back to the the 12th century. It fell into a period of decline post-World War II, but recent years have brought new energy and money into the area. Nowadays, it’s the Milanese equivalent of New York’s Williamsburg, with bars, restaurants, vintage shops and little art galleries springing up all along the streets. This is the perfect Milan district to stop off and enjoy some of the city’s most exciting nightlife.

Bar Vista Darsena

Open daily from 8am to 2am, this is a place to hang out all day and party all night. It’s also a hub for culture, hosting art exhibitions and live music sets from local DJs. You’ll have a beautiful view right onto the canal, and a buzzing and lively scene.

Vista Darsena, Viale Gabriele D’Annunzio, 20123 Milan, Italy, +39 02 4549 9470

Bellagio

A charming village jutting out right over Lake Como, this town is a gorgeous maze of stone staircases and old buildings, blooming rhododendrons and sweet cypresses. A perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Known as the “Pearl of the Lake”, Bellagio is the perfect stop to enjoy a touch of romance thanks to its cobbled lanes and breathtaking scenery.

Villa Melzi Gardens

Looking out over the peaceful lake, this delightful villa with its English-style gardens is a slice of Napoleonic construction by the then-administrator of the Italian Republic Francesco Melzi d’Eril. You’ll find a verdant, flowering paradise with little surprises like the ancient Egyptian sculptures and Etruscan urns, as well as the statues of Dante and Beatrice. The gardens are open from 9:30am – 6:30pm daily and are a great place to stop for some well-deserved rest and relaxation.

Villa Melzi Giardini, Via Lungolario Manzoni, 22021 Bellagio CO, Italy

Enjoy a relaxing walk through Villa Melzi Gardens

Menaggio

Another picturesque town with a promenade on the waters of Lake Como, Menaggio has a medieval feel and some lovely paths that lead right into the mountains. It’s a great place to spend a weekend taking long hikes up to the peaks of the pre-Alps, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the natural landscape and delicious local food. This is the perfect stop for history buffs who want to enjoy culture and nature simultaneously.

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Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.