For those considering hiring a boat during their stay, it’s definitely worth doing. Cruising around the lake on your own allows you to explore the many elegant villas dotted along Lake Como’s shoreline that aren’t open to the public and wouldn’t be visible from the road. There are boat rental companies hiring boats by the hour in Cernobbio, Dongo, Domaso, Gera Laria and Sorico.

For those looking for something a bit more active, there are opportunities to enjoy several different watersports including windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing and canoeing. Companies offer equipment rental for the experienced watersport enthusiast as well as lessons for any novices. However, the vast majority, if not all, of the companies are based in the far north of Lake Como.

One company worth considering is the Tabo Surf Centre. (www.tabosurf.com) For those interested in windsurfing, they offer three different levels of adult group lessons dependent on ability, with private lessons for those looking to improve their skills even further. They also offer lessons for children aged 5-7 and from 8-12, allowing even the youngest to try windsurfing for the first time. Sailing lessons from age six upwards are also on offer as are two, four or seven day kitesurfing courses. They also hire out single or double canoes or kayaks and have new SUPs (stand up paddling) to hire too.

Other companies situated in the north of the lake include Windsurfing Colico (www.windsurf-colico.com). As well as offering windsurding, canoeing, they also offer catamaran courses.

Again in the north but on the other side of the lake is Bomboklat (www.bomboklat.it), kitesurfing specialists but who also offer other watersports.

If you fancy trying waterskiing or wakeboarding, then a company offering these srevices is Como Lake Boats (www.comolakeboats.it). Again, as with all the companies, it is based in the north of the lake.