Tour aboard the iconic Bertram 31 Sedan on Lake Como

A classic 1961 Bertram 31 Sedan gives this Lake Como cruise a different feel from a standard sightseeing boat. You’re on the water for about 90 minutes, with views of historic villas and the rocky gorge at Nesso. I like the contrast between the boat’s mid-century design and the grand lakeside homes, and the private group format means you won’t share the outing with strangers.

I also like that the boat’s deep-V hull and twin 300-horsepower engines are part of the appeal, not just transportation. One consideration: at $1,565.35 per group, the cost is steep for a short ride, especially if you have only two or three people. Check the exact route and what is included before booking, since the named sights span more of the lake than a 90-minute cruise may cover.

At a glance

• A 1961 Bertram 31 Sedan: Ride a classic boat designed by Ray Hunt, with a deep-V hull and twin 300-horsepower engines.
• A private cruise: Your group has the boat to itself, with a maximum of nine people.
• A villa-focused route: Look for lakeside landmarks including Villa Erba, Villa Olmo, Villa d’Este, Villa Oleandra and Villa del Balbianello.
• The Nesso gorge: The tour description highlights the waterfall cutting through the rocky Orrido di Nesso.
• About 90 minutes on the water: A short, scenic outing rather than a full-day lake excursion.
• A fixed group price: $1,565.35, which becomes better value per person as your group gets larger.

A vintage Bertram makes the boat part of the day

Lake Como’s villas and villages are impressive from shore, but the water gives you a better sense of how they fit together. From a boat, you can see the grand houses set against the steep slopes and watch the shoreline shift from town waterfronts to quieter stretches. The setting is the main attraction, but here the boat has its own story.

The Bertram 31 Sedan dates to 1961 and is described as a design classic. Its Ray Hunt deep-V hull and two 300-horsepower engines are meant to deliver a smooth, powerful ride. That can make the trip appealing if you enjoy boats as much as scenery. It is not simply a transfer from one view to another; the craft is part of the experience.

The tour is private, so your group can enjoy the cruise together without sharing the boat with other parties. That suits couples, families or friends marking a special occasion. The maximum group size is nine, but remember that the price stays the same whether you fill every seat or not.

The operator, WEC Water Experience Center, offers the experience in English. The tour description says you can relax and sip a drink on board, but it does not spell out whether drinks are included. Ask before you book if that detail matters to you.

Villas and villages from the water

The route information names six points: Villa Pliniana, Villa Erba, Villa Olmo, Cernobbio, Moltrasio and Torno. The broader description also calls out Villa d’Este, Villa Fontanelle, Villa Oleandra, Villa del Balbianello and the Orrido di Nesso. These are best understood as sights along a lake cruise, not a promise that you will stop at every villa or go inside.

That distinction matters. A 90-minute trip can offer fine views and a useful taste of the shoreline, but it is not a visit to each estate. You’ll see the villas from the water, where their settings and facades are the focus. If you want to tour a particular property on foot, plan that separately.

Villa Erba and Villa Olmo

Villa Erba sits by Cernobbio, one of the named towns on the route. Villa Olmo is another notable lakeside landmark, near Como. Both give you a sense of the grand architecture that makes this stretch of shore so striking. From the boat, the views are about the buildings, gardens and waterline together, rather than interiors or detailed guided visits.

Cernobbio and Moltrasio

Cernobbio and Moltrasio offer a change of scale from the villas. These are lakeside communities, and seeing them from the water helps you appreciate how closely the settlements follow the shore. You may find this part of the trip especially appealing if you enjoy watching daily village life from a respectful distance, rather than spending the whole outing focused on famous houses.

Villa Pliniana and Torno

Villa Pliniana and the village of Torno are also named along the route. The tour description does not give details about the amount of time spent near each place, so treat them as possible highlights on a scenic cruise, not as timed stops. If one of these is a priority, ask WEC whether the route on your chosen departure includes it.

The villas in the wider tour description

Villa d’Este, Villa Fontanelle, Villa Oleandra and Villa del Balbianello add to the promised villa views. Villa del Balbianello is singled out for its setting, while the other estates contribute to the sense of the lake as a place of long-standing wealth and elegant summer homes. Again, this is a boat tour, not a villa admission ticket.

The range of places named deserves a quick check before you pay. The route points and the broader list of sights are not identical, and the information does not explain which locations are always included or how far the boat travels in 90 minutes. Ask the operator to confirm the route for your date, particularly if you have your heart set on seeing the Nesso gorge or a specific villa.

Orrido di Nesso is the dramatic payoff

The Orrido di Nesso is described as a rocky gorge crossed by a waterfall, making it one of the most distinctive sights on the tour. It gives the outing a natural counterpoint to the villas and town waterfronts. If the route reaches it, you’ll see a narrower, more rugged scene than the open lake and formal estates.

The tour information does not say how long the boat stays there, whether it pauses for photographs, or whether the waterfall is visible from a particular angle. Don’t assume a long stop or a chance to go ashore. If the gorge is your main reason for booking, confirm that it is on the route for your departure.

The named route also includes Torno, while the description of the gorge does not say how the two fit together in the schedule. That is another good reason to check the route rather than rely on a list of landmarks alone.

What 90 minutes can and cannot do

An hour and a half is enough for a focused scenic outing, especially if you want a private boat ride without giving up half a day. It is also short enough that the pace may feel brisk if you expect to linger at multiple villas, towns and the gorge. Think of it as a sampler of the lake from the water, not a complete tour of Como.

The boat’s power and hull design may contribute to a smooth ride, but conditions on the day can affect how comfortable the water feels. The tour information describes the Bertram as smooth and powerful; it does not provide details about seating, shade, onboard facilities or weather arrangements. If those factors are important to your group, ask before booking.

Pickup is offered, and the listed meeting point is the WEC Touchpoint at Water Experience Center Como, on Lungo Lario Trieste in Como. The activity ends back at the meeting point. Be at the pier ten minutes early. The driver’s phone number is sent when the driver arrives, so don’t count on that as a substitute for arriving on time.

Is the group price worth it?

The listed cost is $1,565.35 for up to nine people. At full capacity, that works out to about $174 per person. With three people, it is roughly $522 each; for two, about $783 each. The price is therefore most attractive when you can share it across a larger group.

You are paying for a private outing on a distinctive, older boat, not simply a seat on a scheduled public ferry. That can be good value for a group that wants time together, a classic craft and a flexible-feeling private experience. It is harder to justify if you are traveling as a couple and mainly want transport between towns. Public lake boats may be a better fit for that purpose, though they do not offer this same private Bertram experience.

The listing does not clarify whether drinks are included, so do not build that into your value calculation until you confirm it. Nor does it specify how much commentary is included. If a guided account of the lake is important to you, ask what the skipper covers on this particular trip.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I’d consider this tour if you have a group of friends or family, appreciate classic boats, and want a special outing that does not take up a full day. It also suits anyone who has already explored the towns by land and wants to see the villas and shoreline from a new angle. The private format is a real advantage for a group that values its own space.

It may be less suitable if you are on a tight budget, want to spend hours swimming, or expect to tour the interiors of the villas. Other WEC activities include boat rentals and water sports, but those are separate experiences. Don’t assume that a swimming or watersports stop is part of this Bertram cruise.

The activity is listed as suitable for most travelers and is near public transportation. No specific mobility details are provided, so check with the operator if boarding or moving around the boat could be a concern.

Timing and booking details to check

The listed operating hours vary by season. From February 1 to May 31, 2026, and from October 1, 2026 to March 16, 2027, hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. From June 1 to September 30, 2026, hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Confirm that your preferred departure is available, since bookings are confirmed within 48 hours and remain subject to availability.

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. That makes it worth checking the date, group size, meeting point and route before paying. If the Nesso gorge or a particular villa is essential, get confirmation in advance rather than assuming every named sight appears on every cruise.

Should you book the Bertram 31 Sedan?

Book it if you want a private, short cruise where the boat itself is part of the appeal, and you can divide the cost among a group. The combination of a 1961 Bertram, lakeside villas and the possibility of the Nesso gorge makes for a memorable way to see Como from the water.

Look elsewhere if you mainly need an inexpensive way to get around, want a long swim stop, or expect detailed access to the villas. Before you commit, ask WEC which sights your departure will cover and whether drinks are included. Those two answers will tell you whether this elegant, high-priced hour and a half matches your plans.

FAQ

How long is the Bertram 31 Sedan tour?

The cruise lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $1,565.35 per group, for up to nine people.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, with a maximum of nine people.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at the WEC Touchpoint, Water Experience Center Como, on Lungo Lario Trieste in Como.

How early should I arrive?

Be at the pier ten minutes before the tour.

What kind of boat is used?

The tour uses a 1961 Bertram 31 Sedan with a Ray Hunt deep-V hull and two 300-horsepower engines.

What sights are included?

Named sights include Villa Pliniana, Villa Erba, Villa Olmo, Cernobbio, Moltrasio and Torno. The description also highlights several villas and the Orrido di Nesso. Confirm the exact route for your departure.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. English is listed as an available language.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking.