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Lake Como Italy My View Of The Lake
ust a short bus ride, 25 situated just feet from Lake
miles north of Milan, is Como. The hotel itself was
one of the most scenic lovely. It had wonderful charm,
spots in all of Italy - Lake gardens, antique furnishings, and
Como. Its shores are circled with an outdoor swimming pool. The
charming little towns and lobby was stately with a huge
fabulous century-old villas; one Venetian chandelier and a great
larger, and more ornate than the sweeping staircase. Art adorned
next. The glistening water every wall. The rooms were
beckons one to sit, and take time lovely, with antique furniture,
to enjoy all that the lake and and soft Italian linens.
surrounding lush scenery have to
offer. Lake Como being the third After unpacking and settling into
largest lake in Italy, I found it our rooms, it was time to
not only tranquil, but magical. explore. No sooner had we left
With its lush Mediterranean the hotel when we spotted a
gardens and spectacular views, it charming restaurant called “The
is easy to see why it has earned Victorian Tea Garden," which sat
the reputation as one of the most right on the banks of Lake Como.
romantic getaways in Italy. We were seated at a lovely
outdoor table covered in crisp
Traveling with my husband, son white linen. To our delight, a
and daughter-in-law, we were all grapevine-covered pergola hung
pleased to arrive at the hotel we overhead. But what really stole
had reserved for our stay. The the scenery was the
Hotel Bellevue was our unanimous breathtakingly beautiful view of
choice. Built in 1820, it the Swiss Alps. These majestic
neighbors the stately Villa mountains circled the shoreline
Carlotta. On arrival we were and provided a stunning backdrop
pleased to see that the hotel was to the dark, marine-blue waters
of Lake Como. It left us with the
impression that we had traveled There was little traffic on
back in time. The owner – a Bellagio. This made it ideal for
gentleman who looked in his 80’s walking and taking the sights in.
- was very hospitable and could Bellagio is completely unspoiled,
not have made us feel more and possesses the grace and charm
welcome. We ordered Champaign, of "old world living." It was
and toasted each other (and our also very clear that the Bellagio
magnificent setting) with tall, residents loved their gardens,
chilled glasses. We sat there in and kept them well tended.
appreciation and awe of the
spectacular setting for the next The wide area of Lake Como offers
two hours, finishing two bottles inexhaustible things to do for
of Champaign! tourists. It is an ideal place to
vacation with family. For those
With the sun beginning to set, we who desire relaxation, the
returned to the Hotel Bellevue tranquil scenery of the lake
for a relaxing, fabulous dinner. surroundings is sure to please.
Then, to cap off the evening, we Lake Como is also perfect for
ferried over to Bellagio, the anyone looking for a more active
famed, picturesque Italian resort vacation; swimming, water-skiing,
village. Narrow, cobblestone sailing, hiking, mountain-biking,
streets were lined with old and horseback riding await. Day
shops, restaurants and churches. mountain excursion trips are also
My advice? Don’t leave Bellagio worthwhile ventures. These trips
without visiting the shops, as offer the most breath-taking
here you will find some of the views of the lake and surrounding
most wonderful silk scarves and areas.
ties - not to mention leather
goods - in all of Italy. Boat excursions from Lake Como
are a must. Ferry service will epicurean delights. Taste
take you to local monuments and regional products like olive oil,
exquisite villas, as well as to wine, and cheese in the numerous
lovely lakeside towns (I lakeside shops, restaurants, and
recommend the picturesque town of cafes.
Varenna.) Or, you may also choose
a ferry excursion to neighboring In the evening, enjoy a glass of
Switzerland. The Swiss town of wine at one of the local wine
Lugano offers great shopping, bars, and relax before eating at
though it is expensive, so bring one of the many memorable
credit cards. restaurants that the area has to
offer. Most restaurants offer
If spectacular works of art, regional or modern cuisine. After
classical Italian gardens, and dinner, treat yourself to a night
elegant, period settings are your of music and dance in local
interest, I recommend a visit to discos; most stay open until
the famed Villa Carlotta, located sunrise. Or, as my family and I
in the town of Tremezzo. It enjoy doing, take an evening walk
offers spectacular landscaped along the lake before retiring to
gardens, while the villa is a read a good book.
must-see for antique lovers. The
Duomo, better known as the Lake Como is fabulous unlike any
"Renaissance Cathedral", is other place. It possesses
another spectacular must-see. spectacular views, lush, tranquil
It’s located in the town center settings; fine Italian
of Como. architecture, elegant, by-gone
charm, and warm, hospitable
Shopping adventures (and people. With its unspoiled grace
treasures) await at any one of and charm, Lake Como offers its
the lakeside towns, as do guests the opportunity to
experience an enchanting slice of again. Perhaps on a sunny day in
life which is relaxed, elegant, your own backyard, your daydreams
and breathtakingly beautiful. It will beckon you to the shores of
is a place where you will be Lake Como.
drawn back to time and time
About the Author:
Sharon Stajda loves writing about her travels abroad. For further information on Lake Como, please visit our website: Italian Lakes
Read more articles by: Sharon Stajda
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