Lake Como, Italy - Ask anyone, Italy is the place to visit! It is the country of romance, culture, natural beauty and good food.
It’s no wonder that it is among the top five tourist destinations worldwide.
There is so much on offer – Rome’s history, Venice’s quaint canals and Florence’s vineyards.
However, if you are planning a trip to Italy, or even just wondering where you should go to escape the South African winter, don’t let Lake Como pass you by.
All too often we choose our holiday destinations by climbing on the tourist train and visiting those places everyone visits and knows about.
Yet some of the most authentic experiences are to be had in the quieter backstreets, away from the masses and the tourists.
Lake Como affords an opportunity to experience a touch of authentic Italy at its finest, away from the overcrowded, touristy sites and queues.
The sparkling blue, glacial lake is set amid steep mountain slopes, with many quaint villages dotting the water’s edge.
The villages call out to be explored, with their networks of history-laden cobbled streets connecting villas that have spectacular gardens.
Renowned
In addition, nothing goes better with exploring than good food and wine, and the Italians are renowned for both. Combine all of this into one spectacular setting, and you have the perfect European holiday destination.
Lake Como is a deep and vast lake in the north of Italy, bordering on Switzerland.
The lake and surrounds have a rich history of battles due to their strategic position. It also lays claim to the work of many famous poets, inventors, artists, writers, musicians and architects who drew their inspiration from the boundless beauty of the region.
The temperate climate and splendour have also attracted a host of wealthy gentry over the ages, as evidenced in the elegant villas and gardens.
The little town of Bellagio, aptly known as the “Pearl of the Lake”, is at the tip of the most prominent peninsula. It is the perfect place to soak in the atmosphere and summer sun.
We walked the little cobbled alleys of a quaint section of Bellagio called San Giovanni. This is where our perfect little apartment was (Bellagio e dintorni), equipped with all we needed for our stay.
There is something truly revitalising about walking the lake edge and seeing the tied-up boats in little harbours, and hearing children jumping off the pier for some relief from the sun.
On the short walk from San Giovanni to Bellagio’s centre is a beautiful garden and villa.
Villa Melzi was built as a summer residence for Francesco Melzi, the vice-president of the Italian Republic with Napoleon. It boasts stunning landscaped gardens featuring many exotic plants and trees.
It is just one of many beautiful gardens where the creators had astounding vision.
Most of the trees and plants in the gardens would have been small and insignificant at the time of planting, but their creators could see forward hundreds of years to what we are privileged enough to witness today.
This is also true of many of the old buildings which took centuries to build, meaning their architects never saw their finished work.
When visiting the lake, be sure to also visit Villa Carlotta, another villa with a rich history and extraordinary garden.
Almost all of the villas around Lake Como were built as summer residences for the Italian nobility and the wealthy. Even today these are home to the rich and famous.
You can catch a glimpse of George Clooney’s impressive villa while taking a boat ride along the lake, or see the villas being used for special functions and celebrations.
“One of the best possible ways to see the lake is from the lake itself,” says Michele Gandola, owner of Bellagio Water Sports.
And how true that is.
He offers kayak tours around the edges of Bellagio, where one can get a different perspective of the many wonders of the town, from its gardens and villas to its restaurants and best gelato spots.
Slowly cruising along the water’s edge at your own pace is definitely a great way to experience the lake.
To explore the further reaches of Lake Como, you will need some motorised assistance. There are many boats and ferries providing access to the many towns.
The main town of Como is a popular shopping spot, and travelling there from Bellagio offers the perfect opportunity to see a large section of the lake with its lakeside villages.
After a busy day out and about there is no better way to wind down than with a good meal. From the many wonderful restaurants along the water’s edge to the sports club of Bellagio, which offers delicious meals, you’ll need lots of tummy space
One of the highlights of our visit was a meal at Trattoria Baita Belvedere – amazing, authentic food with an unparalleled view.
Baita Belvedere is a farm and restaurant owned and run by a family. It boasts all the traditional tastes of Bellagio and almost all the products are produced by the farm itself: a variety of cheeses, butter, yoghurt, berries, jams, mustards and oils.
Spend an evening on the deck, enjoy the view of the lake as the sun sets and lights twinkle, and you’ll be glad you visited.
Dale Barrow, The Mercury