Lakeside Glamour

For a taste of the good life, Lake Como’s glittering waters and elegant villas are a haven for celebrities and mortals alike

- Michelle Harbi

Lake Como is a view you couldn’t tire of – whatever the weather or season, the panorama of water, forest and sky is never less than enchanting. We visited in late April and experienced it in all its guises. On our first day, bleak skies and bucketing rain threatened to stop play. Still it was a pleasure simply to sit back with a strong Italian coffee and watch the vista change gradually – clouds shrouding the tops of the mountains as boats passed in a stately fashion, interrupting the stillness of the shimmering lake.

By the following morning, all had cleared. The sun was throwing everything into glorious Technicolor – muted grays replaced with dazzling blues and greens, the low mist lifted to reveal snow capping the mountains, their bases dotted with pretty peach and yellow villas. And below, as ever, the boats passing, busier today with tourists taking in the view from the water.

Long known as a glamorous destination for the celebrity set, if you are looking for a luxurious break then Lake Como is hard to beat. About 30 miles north of Milan if you want to extend a business trip, it’s as little as a 45-minute drive from Malpensa airport depending on where you choose to stay.

Located east of lakes Maggiore and Lugano, in the foothills of the Alps, Lake Como is shaped like a slender two-pronged fork, with the city of Como itself situated at the foot of the western leg, and the popular town of Bellagio located in the center, where the branches meet. We chose as our base the superb Casta Diva Resort and Spa, set right on the lake about four miles up the winding eastern shoreline from Como, in the comune of Blevio.