Discover Varenna: The FAM Trip and the New Perception of the Lecco Branch of Lake Como

The international FAM trip organized as the “Discover Varenna” project, promoted by the Province of Lecco and managed by Mancini Worldwide, has drawn to a successful close. The initiative hosted a curated delegation of six international travel buyers and travel designers from the United Kingdom, Germany, Latvia and Spain designed to offer a firsthand experience of the tourism and experiential offerings of the Lecco shore of Lake Como across the FIT, luxury, wedding and cultural travel segments.

The itinerary was crafted to deliver a direct immersion into the destination, balancing historic heritage with authentic local experiences. Staying on-site at Villa Monastero and visiting Villa del Balbianello allowed the delegation to gain deeper insight into two of the lake’s most iconic estates, both pivotal for high-end client requests and destination wedding inquiries.

A private boat navigation played a central role in the itinerary. Beyond its breathtaking panoramic value, it served as a practical educational tool, enabling travel professionals to understand distances, lakeside connectivity and itinerary logistics directly from the water.

The journey also showcased the versatility of the local offering; following a weather-related schedule adjustment, a visit to the Moto Guzzi Museum in Mandello del Lario emerged as one of the most widely praised highlights, demonstrating how the interplay of design and Italian industrial heritage adds significant value for international markets.

The most meaningful outcome of the initiative lies in how the destination’s perception evolved among these industry experts. For nearly the entire delegation, this marked their very first stay on the Lecco branch of the lake. While initial expectations were tied primarily to the general, iconic image of Lake Como, direct experience revealed a far richer and more nuanced destination.

In the feedback shared following the trip, the operators defined the Lecco shore as authentic, elegant, relaxing and rich in natural and cultural experiences. A key theme that emerged was the territory’s unique ability to blend landscape grandeur with an authentic, slow-travel dimension, a quality increasingly sought after by luxury travelers. Highlights praised by the delegation also included the high standard of hospitality across dining venues and the exceptional quality of local cuisine, recognized as essential of the overall journey.

All participating professionals: Pamella Dunn for the wedding sector, Marion Brebeck Pintaudi and Julija Rumjanceva for European market programming, and José Miguel Nicolás, Diana Jaramillo, and Anabela Almada for Spanish-speaking markets, confirmed having gained concrete tools, logistical insights and a personal passion essential for structuring and recommending the Lecco side to their international clientele with confidence.

The initiative successfully fulfilled its core goal: converting the destination’s scenic appeal into a solid, commercial expertise ready for the global travel market.