Of all Italy’s lakes, the Y-shaped Lake
Como is the most celebrated. The English poet Wordsworth was captivated by its beauty and called it ‘a treasure which the earth keeps to itself’. Wordsworth would possibly be a little shocked to see the lake today as its beauty definitely doesn’t go unnoticed anymore! The lake is however still surrounded by fertile vegetation. And despite the fact that Lake
Como is now a hugely popular holiday destination, the lake shores are still very attractive and lined with sumptuous houses from la belle époque and several small, picturesque villages, situated between the deep blue water and the high mountains.
The town of
Como itself is not the most charming of the shorefront towns, but because of its size can provide all manner of shops, restaurants and entertainment. There are also a number of exclusive 19th century residences in the town, which are well worth looking at. The cathedral dates from the 14th century, but has undergone countless alterations since then. Far more interesting and authentic is the Roman
Chiesa di Sant’Abbondio, which has a beautiful selection of frescos from the 15th century. If you feel like a breath of mountain air, take the funicular from
Como to the top of Brunate Mountain. From here you can take some great walks.
In the village of
Tremezzo you find Lake
Como’s largest selection of luxurious houses. A short way out of the town is Villa Carlotta, which was built by a Prussian princess for her daughter, Carlotta, and is today a museum for 18th century sculpture. Even if you are not particularly interested in Baroque art, a visit to the villa’s extravagant 14-hectare park is well worth the price of the entry ticket.
A little further north you find Menaggio, which makes a great base for walking and cycling trips in the area. You can also go water-skiing or just relax in one of the many cafés on the central square, Piazza Garibaldi.
Bellagio has been called Italy’s most beautiful town. Whether or not you agree is obviously up to you, but no one can deny that it is impressive. The town has many elegant
fin de siècle hotels, impressive villas that have regularly played host to European royalty, beautiful flower gardens and exclusive restaurants. Despite the fact that Bellagio is one of Lake Como’s most visited tourist attractions, tourism has not taken over the town.
