Mesmerizing Lake Como

Naturally beautiful in its own right, with centuries-old villas and magnificent gardens on display, Lake Como in northern Italy is a “must-see” destination

- Gail M. Murray

Glacier-fed Lake Comoenchants visitors and locals alike with its historic elegance, mountain scenery, and rose and golden-hued villages: Bellagio, Lenno and Varenna. The Lake Como region of northern Italy combines natural and manmade beauty—a place of allure. Whether you are a honeymooner, baby boomer or garden aficionado, I defy you not to be mesmerized by misty Lake Como. Little wonder that the Milanese, living only an hour away, escape here on weekends.

Bellagio, situated on a promontory jutting out into the centre of the lake, is a stellar attraction that was our home base for the week-long stay my boyfriend Bill and I enjoyed last May. You can unwind dining al fresco on an open-air terrace with jasmine cascading down the stone walls, and take the ferry to nearby towns, each of which possesses a unique character. The splendid villas enchant you with art treasures and magnificent Renaissance gardens.