THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Slide through Como’s streets in a vintage Ape Calessino for a two‑hour, customizable tour of Lake Como’s highlights—cathedral views, Villa Geno’s soaring fountain and a possible spin to Cernobbio. Local drivers, Prosecco and hotel pick‑up make this a stylish, easy introduction to the lake.
Slide through Como’s streets in a vintage Ape Calessino for a two‑hour, customizable tour of Lake Como’s highlights—cathedral views, Villa Geno’s soaring fountain and a possible spin to Cernobbio. Local drivers, Prosecco and hotel pick‑up make this a stylish, easy introduction to the lake.
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Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Gimbus · Como, Lombardia
On the cobbled streets of Como, Lombardia, Italy, the Como Dolce Vita Tour invites you to see Lake Como from the low, breezy perch of an Ape Calessino, Italy’s iconic three‑wheeled mini‑car. For two hours a local bilingual driver steers this retro capsule through the city’s fabric—Piazza Cavour, the Cathedral, the medieval Porta Torre and the Volta Temple—then along the lakeside toward Villa Geno’s thirty‑metre fountain and the landscaped terraces of Villa Olmo. Routes are fully customizable, and a short extension can carry you to Cernobbio and the refined gardens of Villa d’Este.
This experience specializes in close-up, human-scale sightseeing. The Ape Calessino seats up to three passengers and slides where larger vehicles cannot, delivering views of the Aero Club, Yacht Club, Teatro Sociale and the Monument to the Fallen that often feel private. The driver doubles as an urban guide: bilingual, local, and able to shape the two‑hour window into a light historical tour, a villa-focused photo run, or a slow lakeside promenade with a bottle of Prosecco included.
The setting itself is dramatic—Lake Como is a deep, glacial basin rimmed by steep, tree‑clad slopes and ribboned with palaces and parks. Architectural highlights here are as important as natural ones: medieval walls, elegant neoclassical villas and a public fountain that jets thirty metres into the air at Villa Geno. Small streets and lakeside avenues change light quickly; in the right hour the town can flip from bustling market energy to crystalline calm.
Practical details matter: the vehicle moves at a relaxed pace, carries three passengers with a 100 kg per person limit, and cannot accept large bags, wheelchairs or pets. Tours run in all weather, include hotel pick‑up in central Como or Cernobbio, and are ideal for couples or small groups seeking a personalized introduction to the lake without navigating narrow streets themselves.
Why book it? Because this is a way to see more in two hours than many do in a day—up close, with local knowledge and the distinctive charm of a vintage Calessino. It’s part transport, part storytelling, and part local hospitality: an efficient, photographic, and genuinely local piece of Como’s outdoor recreation scene that pairs the town’s layered history with the simple joy of open‑air travel.
Bookings are straightforward: show your reservation to the driver at pick-up, and note the tour’s cancellation policy—full refund if cancelled within 48 hours, or pay extra to secure 24‑hour cancellation. The ride suits children aged six and up and adults of all ages up to the vehicle limits; it’s not compatible with wheelchairs or strollers. Expect light walking to reach certain viewpoints. By booking you agree that photos or video taken during the tour may be used for promotion.
easy.
2 hours.
Light activity: must be able to step in/out of a low vehicle and walk short distances to viewpoints.
Tours run in all weather conditions; the vehicle is open but the driver may adjust route and pace for safety.
Yes, the tour is fully customizable within the two‑hour limit; extra stops must fit the schedule.
Drivers speak Italian and English; some may speak additional languages.
No, the Ape Calessino travels at a relaxed pace suited for sightseeing and photography.
Maximum three passengers, with a maximum of 100 kg (200 lbs) per passenger; no large bags, wheelchairs or pets allowed.
Show your reservation (e‑ticket) to the driver at pick‑up; hotel collection is available in central Como or Cernobbio.
Como’s town center mixes medieval walls and neoclassical villas; Cernobbio is famed for Villa d’Este and its refined gardens.
Keep noise low near private villas, avoid littering, and follow local traffic directions—this tour uses narrow streets that locals rely on.
Gimbus is a tour operator based in Como, Lombardia, that offers guided experiences around Lake Como and the city of Como. The company operates eco-friendly electric golf cars for private and shared city tours, and handcrafted Venetian-style taxi boats for lake excursions. Tours include short sunset routes and longer combined land-and-water experiences, with options lasting one, two, three, or five hours. Gimbus provides local drivers and captains who guide visitors to iconic monuments, lakeside villas, and historic streets. Many experiences include multilingual audio guides to support international guests. Select itineraries stop for a leisurely lunch in Cernobbio, and some boat routes highlight villas such as Villa Oleandra and Villa del Balbianello. Available experiences range from private golf car city tours and sunset drives to combined golf car and boat packages and a shared boat trip to Bellagio with a three-hour stop. The fleet emphasizes comfort, sustainability, and visibility for photography and sightseeing. Boats are open 360 degrees for unobstructed views. Gimbus focuses on delivering reliable, well-paced itineraries that showcase both city highlights and lake scenery. Booking options include private tours with a personal guide and shared boat experiences. The business operates in Como and the surrounding lake towns in Lombardia, presenting visitors with curated routes designed for sightseeing and local discovery. Reservations can be made online or through local partners, and private options accommodate varied group sizes and preferences daily.
Book with Gimbus