Lake Como

Lake Como is a pearl among the northern Italian lakes. The exclusive location near Milan, the mild Mediterranean climate, the proximity to the Alps and the beautiful villa and park architecture have made many celebrities (eg George Clooney, Donatella Versace or many football professionals of the famous Milanese Clubs) buy a house near the lake.

In contrast to Lake Garda, which is stormed by tourists in the summer, Lake Como and especially the city of Como with its approximately 80,000 inhabitants is still an exclusive holiday destination.

The almost car-free old town of Como, which is separated from the rest of the city by an intact medieval city wall, offers beautiful alleys for strolling through beautiful and exclusive shops, restaurants and boutiques.

By foot or via the rack railway you can climb up to the small village of Brunate and walk from there in about 30 minutes walk to the lighthouse with a magnificent view over the lake.

If you have a little more time, take a day trip by ferry or speedboat to Bellagio and wonder why Las Vegas has rebuilt this place, even though all the other places on Lake Como are at least as beautiful.

It is also worthwhile taking a trip (by car or ferry) to Villa Balbianello (which has served as a backdrop for many movies including Star Wars and James Bond), Villa Carlotta with its famous botanical garden, Villa La Collina (summer residence of former German chancellor Konrad Adenauer), Villa Olmo (hall with changing exhibitions, to reach from the ferry terminal in Como passing by the Volta Temple and the water aerodrome on a nice walk along the lake), Villa Erba (Congress Hall, venue for the filming of the feature film Ocean's Twelve) and Villa d'Este (5-star luxury hotel, the setting for the Concorso d'Eleganza, one of the world's most exclusive classic car events, every spring).