The area surrounding Lake Como is a place of spectacular scenery, fascinating works of art and interesting architecture and buildings lining the shores and old villages. But one cannot claim to know an area well unless one has tasted its local cuisine and products. During our full day Cheese & Ham lovers’ tour, you will enjoy exclusive visits to 2 award-winning cheese and ham producers of the area: MARCO D’OGGIONO and CAROZZI. A food lover’s dream! You will start your journey in Varenna, from where you will be driven down along the eastern shore of Lake Como. You will admire the lakefront of Lecco, a city well known for its industrial excellence and for its inhabitants being passionate for the surrounding mountains. You will then reach the production site of Marco d’Oggiono, a family-owned business, founded in 1945 and which continues to use passion and wisdom to produce cured hams making a mild and excellent Prosciutto Crudo. Here you will be welcomed with a tasting of their top quality sliced meats. A nice half-hour drive will bring you up the mountains to discover the Valsassina Valley, a mountain valley running along the eastern branch of our lake. Lake Como excels in dairy products. The Valsassina Valley on the Eastern side of the lake is a territory recognized by the European Union as a protected area. Many of the largest Italian cheese companies were born there thanks to the pastures and to its caves which provide a constant level of humidity and temperature in all seasons, suitable for the natural seasoning of the cheese. Carozzi is a boutique dairy and cheese producer. It has been operating in the historic butter factory site in Pasturo since 1960 and has developed an internationally award-winning range of hand-made dairy and goat milk cheeses that have become Italian classics. Here you will be able to visit their local production site, dedicated mostly to conservation and cold storage. After a tasting of their cheeses and a dish of pasta accompanied by a glass of wine will be waiting for you. After some relaxing time, you will be driven back to Varenna along a scenic mountain road, at the end of which Lake Como will appear to your eyes with a breathtaking view from above.