1) The villas of the lake
It's absolutely impossible to stay on the Como Lake without visiting its beautiful villas, starting from Villa Balbianello in Lenno, one of the most beautiful and romantic mansions of the Como Lake. Built in the eighteenth century that hosted distinguished guests in its beautiful gardens. Continuing, you find Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo, built in 1600 in a naurale basin, between lake and mountains, with 70,000 square meters of park (one of the most famous of Italy) in a stunning scenery between Bellagio and Grigne. In Laglio an historic villa is combined with the actuality. 'Villa Oleandra, inhabited by the actor George Clooney.lA little road again and you will arrive in Cernobbio where you will find 2 dreaming villas: Villa D'Este, a Renaissance patrician residenc,. built in 1568 by order of Cardinal Tolomeo Gall,. christened by Princess of Wales, Caroline of Brunswick, in honor of its origins Este, transformed in 1873 in a stunning hotel with princely furnishings,thta is still one of the most luxury hotel in the world, presents a beautiful Italian garden with a lake view and is surrounded by a 25 acre park. The imposing Villa Erba, built in 1898, that is not a simple villa but a sprawling complex consisting in the main house, guest house, greenhouses, boathouse, stables, service homes, surrounded by a large park. noble residence of Luchino Visconti family (the great film director who loved to spend the summer holidays here). the villa is today an important congress center that hosts events among the most important in Lombardy. Finally, in Como, Villa Olmo, an imposing neoclassical building of Como, decorated by a large Italian garden overlooking the lake and a large garden with mature trees in the back of the villa. On the left bank of the lake we remain fascinated by Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio: built in 1605, it is now owned by the Rockefeller Foundation, which uses it as a center for studies and conferences. However, you can access the huge and spectacular park, occupying most of the promontory with almost 18 km of paths, made of paths, clearings, exotic plants and many rose bushes. The view sweeps over both branches of Lake Como, with extraordinarily beautiful views.
In Bellagio also stands the splendid Villa Melzi, with chapel, gardens, orangery, now a museum, an hill-pine forest, which covers several hectares. The beautiful villa, built in neoclassical style, is surrounded by a beautiful English garden, which extend for 800 meters along the coast of the lake, dotted with statues in which loved to reflect the pianist and composer Franz Liszt. The Emperor Francis I, Kaiser Wilhelm, the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. So the Villa Plinio, situated in a wooded cove of the lake, with fhe façade overlooking the lake.
Inhabited by Plinio il Giovane, in the Roman age. In the inner courtyard of the building there is an intermittent karst source, described by Plinio il Giovane in a letter . The source was also visited by Leonardo da Vinci, who described it in the Codex Leicester. Because of its isolation and its severe aspect, the villa is still known for being home to numerous spectra. Lots of historical characters were guested in this villa: monarchs, scientists, musicians, poets and writers: Napoleon, Joseph II, Francis I and Queen daisy Savoiai, Franz Liszt, Rossini, Vincenzo Bellini, Giacomo Puccini, Stendhal, Shelley, Lord Byron, Ugo Foscolo, Berchet, Alessandro Manzoni eAntonio Fogazzaro, who found his inspiration for the novel Malombra.
Lastly Villa Olmo, one of the most beautiful and romantic neo-classical villas of Italy. It owes its name to a tree, the big elm that the legend, was planted by Plinio il Giovane, who lived in the first century A.D. and distinguished himself as a writer and a Roman senator. The story attributed the construction of the building to Innocenzo Odescalchi, the powerful family of the area, which began in 1797. Over time, the villa was home to famous people: Napoleon Bonaparte in 1797 and Ugo Foscolo in 1808, and later Prince Metternich, Marshal Radetzsky and Giuseppe Garibaldi.
2) The cities of Lake
BELLAGIO charming town , known for its lovely location and the quaint old town , Bellagio is a resort town of exception. The so-called "Pearl of Lake Como" romantically situated on the tip of the promontory that divides the lake into two branches of Como and Lecco, in a striking landscape . Colorful houses , picturesque lanes , characteristic steps , old churches make the old village a place of great charm. Between 700 and 800 , the noble and wealthy Lombard had built luxurious villas which offered hospitality personalities , both Italian and foreign.
CERNOBBIO elegant resort town on the shores of Lake Como , at the foot of Mount Bisbino Cernobbio owes its name to the presence of an ancient monastery of Cluny ( Coenobium ) built around the year one thousand . Heart of the town is Piazza Risorgimento , also known as the " Riva ", which directly overlooks the lake.
OSSUCCIO The Roman Bell Tower worth a visit, with the entire area surrounding it for the beauty it contains. My advice is to go to the Isola Comancina, declared UNESCO heritage.
TORNO Enchanted village with small a harbor, built in the Romantic period, it was also a set of films, TV serials and commercials. In the Church of Santa Tecla, it is preserved a Nail of the Cross.
LENNO small village , very impressive . From here you can take the Green Way that connects various parts of the lake and see areas is less well known that enclose the strong traditions and viewing angles truly special. For fans, in Lenno, you can admire the George Clooney 's house.
VARENNA Charming town facing Bellagio, which is connected by ferry. The charming narrow streets and simple houses of fishermen that embellish it, help to maintain a more authentic than that of the neighboring cities,. In Varenna you will have only two options to choose: relax on the shore of the lake or visit the beautiful gardens of Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi.
The ABBAZIA DI PIONA is a rare jewel of the Lombard Romanesque Period. Placed on Olgiasca peninsula, facing Gravedona on the tip of the branch of Lecco, offering panoramic views of the west coast of the lake, plus the ability to enjoy the tranquility and the peace enjoyed by the Cistercian monks, who still today live.
Even in the seventh century A.D. in that area there was a monastic community, probably of eremitical setting. From which derived the monastery clunicense, consecrated in 1138 and dedicated to the Virgin.
To see the striking cloister, built around 1242, in a transition style between Romanesque and Gothic, it is a reference point around the monastery complex.
ISOLA COMACINA Unique island of Lake Como , the island Comacina is a fascinating place where history, nature and art and archeology are combined in this small piece of land almost uninhabited . Lush nature and a pleasant landscape framed by the ruins of the fortified citadel of its illustrious past (before the Roman then Byzantine ) , an important religious center of the Diocese of Como, powerful Municipality of the lake until the twelfth century when the Comaschi , to punish loyalty to Milan, razed it to the ground ( 1169. stand the ruins of the magnificent Romanesque church of St. Euphemia of which are visible in the division with three naves and three apses , the beautiful crypt and the porch to front wings , the remains of a marble colonnade of Roman preserved in the church of St. John
3) Spectacular views
The first advice is to rise the Monte Bisbino. The Monte Bisbino is a 1,325 m high mountain. which is reached by a road that starts from the town of Cernobbio on Lake Como, and salt for about 17 km, to the summit of Mount. A narrow, winding road, but with wonderful sights of Como, the lake and surrounding mountains. On the top there are a shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, of the fourteenth century. The top of the mountain is surrounded by a forest of fir trees. The panoramic view at the top is outstanding.
The second advice is to rise the Baradello Castle, which stands on the hill (430 m.) overlooking the city of Como, closing on the southwest side of the valley. From the hill, the view extends to 360 ° from the lake to the city, from the peaks of the Alps to the Po Valley and to the Apennines: its massive square base Romanesque tower is clearly visible to those traveling to Como. Reached can be seen in its entirety (are missing only the battlements).
There is also a first order of walls surrounding the tower, the oldest, from the Byzantine period, of the VI - VII century. The old walls are surrounded by a newer wall, contemporary to the rise of the tower and the interior walls. During the ten-year war (1118-1127) between Como and Milan the como inhabitants climbed to the castle to find refuge. It was a first time destroyed in August 27, 1127, at the conclusion of the conflict with Milan. Como is burned by the Milanese forces, the walls of the city and homes destroyed, the inhabitants scattered.
Through the alliance with Frederick Barbarossa, Como finds in the following years the opportunity to rebuild and restore the Castel Baradello, strengthening it with the reconstruction of the tower and other structures.
4) Unknown Landscapes
There are must-see sights, entirely unknown as not advertised. A must see is the medieval town.
The most attractive is the small mountain village of Palanzo, where you will find suspended between lake and mountains and you will be embraced by the charm of the lake, escaping from chaos. It climbs from Faggeto, the country on the road to Bellagio for a series of valleys, to get to 1,436 meters Palanzo, certainly the most beautiful medieval village of the lake. You have to wander through the cobbled streets and small squares, admiring the medieval houses in a continuous architecture of rare beauty and attractiveness. Along the steep way up to the parish church, you can admire the ancient wine press, of 1572, made a grand trunk chestnut along 12 meters of the circumference of 3 meters, located in a charming building built of stone, the tower of 'XI century, the church of St. Ambrose and the old wash house.
With a last little effort you can visit the Church of the Soldo, just above the village, great panoramic point. instead, you can get to the village comfortably, through a path not difficult, along the route of the Via Crucis, and once you arrive in the churchyard and in the esplanade that surrounds it, you get the feeling of being screened at the center of beauty, with a unique view of the lake and mountains, to 360 degrees.
5) Walking in history
THE ANCIENT “REGINA” ROAD
It is an ancient route that runs through the entire western shore of Lake Como. The ancient paths, of prehistoric origin, were unified and rebuilt by the Romans who gave to this new way of communication the name of Via Regia, or main road. subsequently evolved into Strada Regina, after the passage of the Lombard Queen Teodolinda. For centuries the Via Regia was the link between the South and North of the Alps, between the area of Como and Milan and the transalpine regions, through the Passo dello Spluga and Maloja; way of passage and trade, where transited armies and travelers. As time passed, the Strada Regina, has seen the emergence of numerous towns, enriched with artistic heritage. This pilgrim road is still passable on foot and runs parallel to the state road 340, still called Strada Regina. Particularly striking and loved by hikers is the stretch that, from Nobiallo, a hamlet of Menaggio, reaches Rezzonico.
THE “STRADA REGIA”
It is a medieval street that runs through the eastern shore of the Como branch, between Como and Bellagio. In the past it was a network of mule tracks, which linked countries allowing shepherds, travelers and traders, to move on the territory. Today it is a pedestrian path, or cycling, of about thirty kilometers, which meets a number of countries among the most interesting of the lake. All have in common the characteristic of being formed by a number of cores scattered on the slopes of the ridge of the "Larian Triangle" (the large rocky outcrop that separates the branches of Como and Lecco Lake), with almost always a lake core to have a landing.
WALKING BY THE LAKE
The Greenway is a journey of over 10 km., From Colonno to Griante, which allows you to discover villas and gardens, Roman remains, ancient villages and beautiful landscapes. The greenway, which runs through, with a route easy to follow and well-marked, suitable also for children, the pretty villages of Sala Comacina, Ossucio, Lenno and Mezzegra, take you by the lake and up and down the hills that dominate the lake, where every curve reveals a breathtaking view.
Along the greenway you can thus discover the different souls of this land: the historic villages, rural landscapes, the landscapes of the lake, the buildings and the fine gardens. The route is shown in the trekking section.
6) Best boat tour
Take the hydrofoil to Bellagio. So get on the ferry that stops at Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio and Cadenabbia. It is a must. You are visiting the heart of Lake Como. The most popular of the city remains Bellagio: the evening, the quay resounds with the music of local musicians playing outside restaurants. If you go up the steep streets and cobbled steps leading to the lake, to the shopping streets, enjoying the architecture of this typical town of the lake. When you are tired, to return to Como, take a regular ferry that will stop in towns along the way, allowing you to admire them. It exist a daily ticket for tourists that allows you to take as many boats you want.
7) The first “dreaming restaurant”
Take the left bank of the lake and traveling for 20 minutes up to Tremezzo. Here take to Rogaro, where you will find the restaurant La Fagunda, via Rogaro 17. Here you will find a really beautiful view of the lake and a delicious menu at more than affordable prices. The specialty that you absolutely have to taste, is the roasted rabbit and the soused rabbit. The vegetables come all from the orchard of the owners (of which they are jealous). Below the restaurant there is a “crotto” cellar. If you will have feeling with the owners, they will make you see. I am sure that you will return to Italy on purpose to try again their menu.
Rogaro Via, 17, 22019 Tremezzina - tel. +39 0344 40676
8) The second “dreaming restaurant”
Take, from Como, the right bank of the lake to Bellagio and continue until the village of Nessus. Park the car, if possible close to the church of Nesso, which is on the road. Take the wide staircase that crosses the village and arrives to the port, in Careno hamlet. Just before the port you will find the Trattoria del Porto (you should book asking for a table on the terrace). The fish menu is great, the price is cheap, the view is spectacular and at the side there is a really beautiful restored Romanesque church
Via Al Pontile, Nesso CO 22020, Phone: 031 910 195
9) The best beach
The term "artificial beach" might seem too Las Vegas style, but the sand oasis of Lenno Lido are really attractive and stylish. Plan a visit to this isolated little paradise, where people deceiving the days, lazing under a gazebo with drinks and snacks served to them by a pair of serviceable waiters. Kids love the day, the young people the sunset, because the lido will transform into open-air bar most fashionable area.
