Romantic trip on Como Lake

Lake Como is considered among the most beautiful lakes in the world and when you visit it you will understand why this destination is so loved by tourists from all over the world. Its views, with the mountains plunging into the lake, the elegant villas, the small historic villages, have enchanted artists and writers. From Turner to Flaubert, Mary Shelley and Verdi up to the modern international jet-set that has brought Lake Como back on the covers of the whole world thanks to the presence of George Clooney in Laglio. I propose here a 7-day itinerary but if you want to better enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the lake I suggest you spend a few more days here, simply to lie in the sun on the shores of the lake, take a boat ride and enjoy the local cuisine.

Como is located at the southern end of one of the two branches of the lake and this is where my itinerary begins. It is a beautiful town that can be easily visited on foot in one day. If you arrive by car, I recommend that you leave it at the Centro Lago car park, it the most convenient solution for visiting the city center. Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the battery, was born and lived in Como and I recommend that you start your visit from the places dedicated to him. In via Alessandro Volta 62 you will find the house where his family lived while authentic documents and objects are preserved in the Tempio Voltiano. Continuing your walk you will be able to see the statue of Volta in the central Piazza Alessandro Volta and Life Electric, the monument dedicated to him by architect Daniel Libeskind.

If you love Italian cuisine I recommend that you take part in a Walking Food Tour of Como. You will be able to taste all the local delicacies including olive oil and taste a local pasta dish in a charming restaurant.

I recommend you to stay at the Hilton Lake Como, a beautiful structure, very close to the center of Como, with a splendid lake view. Very large rooms, comfortable beds and very nice bathroom. In the summer you can relax in the beautiful infinity pool.

Starred restaurant in the center of Como. I recommend the short tasting menu with wine pairing.

The villa takes its name from a wonderful centenary elm that stood out in the garden, which unfortunately no longer exists today. Villa Olmo in Como was commissioned at the end of the 1700s by the Marquis Innocenzo Odescalchi as a summer residence on the lake. Villa Olmo in Como has hosted numerous events, including the International Exhibition for the centenary of the death of Alessandro Volta, numerous congresses, shows, art exhibitions. You can visit the park for free.

Brunate is a beautiful town located on the hill behind Lake Como. The town is known above all for the presence of numerous villas in an eclectic and liberty style, for being connected to the Larian city by a funicular and for the numerous panoramic points from which you can see the entire western Alpine arc, the Po Valley and the Apennines. , the latter feature that made it known as the "Balcony on the Alps". The funicular to reach Brunate is located on the Como lakefront near bars and restaurants. The journey it is possible to admire a breathtaking landscape.

The restaurant, warm and welcoming, is characterized by lanterns that illuminate each table. You can taste local and seasonal dishes and a family cuisine. The restaurant has a rich wine list with a choice of wines by the glass for every request. They have also some flats and lofts where you can stay.

From the square of Brunate the path starts to reach the Volta Lighthouse and the path of the Baite, a trek that will take you to reach an altitude of 1000 meters and discover breathtaking views of Lake Como. I recommend that you wear comfortable clothing and hiking shoes even if the path is quite simple. You will pass in front of the Baita Carla and Baita Bondella, where you can stop and taste the specialties of the area: specialties based on rustic dishes, game, poleta, mushrooms and ancient flavors.

A local trattoria with home cooking and family hospitality. The rice and perch, the pasta alla costa and the firm meat with aromatic herbs from the chef's garden are delicious.

The heart of the town is Piazza Risorgimento on the lakefront. In the square, surrounded by trees and restaurants with outdoor tables, is the War Memorial. In the historic center there is the Sanctuary of San Vincenzo, dedicated to the patron saint of the town and the small church of the Madonna delle Grazie. As along the entire coast of Lake Como, also in Cernobbio the main attractions to visit are the historic villas: Villa Erba, Villa Bernasconi and Villa Pizzo.

Typical tavern with Lombard dishes, on sunny days outdoor tables in the small alley near the lake. The risotto with local fish is excellent.

Villa Bernasconi, an Art Nouveau villa commissioned by the textile entrepreneur Davide Bernasconi at the end of the 19th century. The villa houses an interactive museum that takes you through the history of the family that inhabited it and of the silky weaving. Villa Bernasconi is open from Friday to Monday from 10am to 6pm. Tickets cost 5 euros and reservations are required on the site.

Villa Pizzo, along the road to Moltrasio. It can only be visited with guided tours that take you through the interiors furnished with period furniture and the gardens. The visits take place on weekends and can be booked on the website. The ticket costs 15 euros.

Beautiful property with a nice view of the lake and great breakfast.

The center of the village is made up of well-kept streets and stone houses and the lakefront is dotted with wonderful villas. Famous is the Joseph Frank pyramid 20 meters high and located in the municipal cemetery. Lots of paths start from Laglio and cross Mount Colmegnone with an amazing view of the lake. Laglio has had a peak of notoriety since 2002 when Villa Oleandra was bought by George Clooney and and became a holiday destination for many Hollywood stars.

Argegno is a nice medieval village along the Strada Regina in the western shore of Lake Como. Its colorful houses overlooking the lake, immediately struck me and convinced me to stop for an ice cream in the pretty square. Little alleys lead to the stone village and to the Roman bridge over the river Telo. From Argegno leaves the cable car to Pigra, a small village from where in a few minutes you can reach a viewpoint that offers a spectacular view of the lake and the Intelvi valley.

Isola Comacina is the only island on Lake Como and can be reached with the Lake Como Navigation service or by taxi-boat from Ossuccio. The island played a decisive role in Como's history in Roman times and in the Middle Ages thanks to the city walls and a strategic system of fortifications. In 1169 it was razed to the ground by the Como allies of Barbarossa and only found new life in the early 1900s when it became a colony for artists. Excavation campaigns were started in 1900 which brought to light an important archaeological schedule from the Roman era and today it is one of the most interesting archaeological areas in northern Italy.

3-star hotel with beautiful rooms and views of Lake Como. Surrounded by olive trees and with an outdoor swimming pool.

Excellent aperitif with a mixed salami and cheese platter accompanied by honey and jams. All very fresh and exquisite. Wide choice of wines.

It is located in the "Gulf of Venus", bordered by the Promontory of Laveno. The village is a small town with a beautiful promenade on the shore of the lake. The main attraction of Lenno is Villa del Balbianello which is located at the end of the promontory. From Lenno the Greenway passes a 10 km path that touches seven villages on the western side of Lake Como: Colonno, Sala Comacina, Ossuccio, Lenno, Mezzegra, Tremezzo and Griante.

Villa del Balbianello was built in 1787, on the ruins of an ancient Franciscan monastery. The explorer Guido Monzino bought it in 1974 and furnished it with relics from his explorations. On his death in 1988, Monzino left Villa del Balbianello as an inheritance to the FAI - Fondo Ambiente Italiano. The Villa is surrounded by well-kept gardens and owes its great fame to some movies such as Star Wars - Episode II Attack of the Clones and Agent 007 - Casino Royale.

Villa Carlotta is a museum that holds some masterpieces by Canova, Hayez and Thorvaldsen, surrounded by a wonderful botanical garden.

Luxurious hotel just a few minutes walk from Villa Carlotta. It has 3 swimming pools, one of which is built on the lake. A modern SPA with sauna and whirlpool overlooking the lake.

Taxi Boat to Varenna

Varenna is a small village on the eastern shore of Lake Como and for me it is the most romantic and suggestive village on the lake. From the landing stage you will have to take the Walk of Love, a walkway with a red metal structure that is covered with flowers in spring. The historic center is a maze of alleys and stairways from which to grasp panoramic views of the lake and where you will find small shops and restaurants.

Wandering around Varenna we were attracted to this restaurant in a nice quiet square with a tree between the tables. Exquisite menu, we ate buckwheat ravioli stuffed with taragna over a bed of mushrooms and lightly seared tuna with sesame.

Villa Monastero is one of the most beautiful villas on Lake Como. It is a house-museum, with original furnishings inside, surrounded by a botanical garden. It is also possible to visit the gardens of the nearby Villa Cipressi, which is now a luxury hotel.

Vezio Castle, a fortification that overlooks Varenna from above. In addition to an interesting path inside the castle, the gardens host a training center for birds of prey.

Wonderful period villa, excellent breakfast served on the lake view terrace.

The public boat service is very convenient and allows you to move quickly from one side of the lake to the other. You can buy tickets for single routes or day tickets to get on and off all boats for a whole day. We took the day ticket which cost 15 euros per person for the central part of the lake.

Bellagio is known is the most glamorous place on Lake Como. It has a unique position, in the center of the promontory that divides the two branches of the lake, Lecco and Como. Among the many narrow streets, Salita Serbelloni is one of the most photographed views of Bellagio. On the lakefront, the luxurious hotels, frequented by celebrities, recall the splendor of the past, when the most illustrious people in Europe came to spend their holidays here. Among all you will notice the historic Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni built in 1852 in neoclassical style as a private villa of the Frizzoni family and transformed into a hotel in 1872.

Very charming wine bar, we ate excellent ravioli and roast beef!

It is only possible to visit the gardens of Villa Melzi. A large park on the lake that surrounds the villa built by Francesco Melzi d’Eril and full of suggestions, from the Japanese garden to the Venetian gondola.

My trip ended with a tour on the lake on a vintage motorboat that brought me back to Como, leaving me with a beautiful memory of this region and the desire to return.