Truly beautiful ! Those words do not do this part of Italy justice. This jewel in the crown of Italy’s famous lakes is a haven of tranquility, superb cuisine, majestic snow capped mountains, courteous folk and style. In his ‘Charterhouse of Parma’ Stendhal described it as an “enchanting spot, unequaled on earth in its loveliness.” Virgil called it simply “our greatest” lake.
Como is in Lombardy, 45km North of Milan and in the Province of Como. Como is at the tip of the southwestern branch of this lake. Como is only a few miles from the Swiss border and 20 minutes from Lugano.
Lake Como is 50 km long and west of Menaggio is where the lake splits in two. The mountains around the lake are 2000 m high and the lake up to 1350 feet deep, making it one of the deepest lakes in Europe.
When visiting Como, there are places to see and things to do. Like most Italian towns off the beaten track, these are not always obvious. The locals know where to go, but do not make it too obvious to strangers. Although when you arrive you are always welcome. Explore Como at your leisure, relax in the cafe’s, people watch, drink pure Italian coffee, absorb the history and elegance.
Travelling to Lake Como
Well served by Rail
Como Station San Giovanni is on Italy’s main railway network and trains run from Milan to Como frequently. Journey time is approximately 45-60 minutes. They depart from Milan’s Stazione Centrale and Stazione Porta Garibaldi, and arrive at San Giovanni, Como’s main station.
By Road
From Malpensa take the A336 to the A8, take the Milan direction then head off on the A9 to Como and Switzerland.. From LInate, take the A1 toward Monza, then the A4, West, then join the A9 North toward Switzerland and Como Como can also be approached from Switzerland through San Bernadino or Splugenplass and then along the lake roads, or can be approached through Chiasso, after going through the San Gotthard tunnel. This Swiss border is only a couple of miles from Como.
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Hotels
Via Caronti, 69 22020 – Blevio (CO)
ph +39 031 32511
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Clarion Collection Hotel Griso Lecco
Tel +39 0341 239811
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Avenue Hotel
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Restaurants
Chez Mario
Largo Vittorio Veneto, 1 fraz. Loveno Menaggio/Loveno Lombardia
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Del Sole
p.zza San Giorgio Varenna Italy
Tel: 00390 34181 5218
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The Boticelli
Via per Cernobbio Como Lombardia
Tel: +39 031 5161
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Bella Vista
Via IV Novembre, 23 Menaggio Lombardia
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See & Do
Lake Como Boats
Discover Things to See and Do in Lake Como and the surrounding area, including Attractions, Events, Museums, Activities, Villas, Sightseeing Tours and more.
Lake Como boat hire is possibly the finest way to experience the Lake in its full splendour. The perspectives are completely different and there are many more aspects of the famous villas and terrain you can see. In addition you are are not subjected to the ferry timetables or the interesting driving of some of the locals.
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Skiing
Lake Como has its own micro climate witnessed by the magnificent flora and fauna that abounds throughout this region. In summer it can get very hot and sometimes quite humid, but on occasions proximity to the Alps does result in a snow flurry or more infrequently a deep layer of snow at Lake level.
The surrounding mountains often have a good sprinkle and in the winter there are some local ski resorts that locals use regularly, but unknown to visitors. The closest are Pian delle Betulle and Giumello & Paglio. To reach the Pian delle Betulle slopes you have to take the cable way from Margno (30 Km far from Lecco by car) or its is possible to drive further and then 20 minutes by foot
Local Skiing
Bobbio Lombardia Italy
Tel: +39 0341 840 020
&
International Skiing
Madesimo Lombardia Italy
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Villa Carlotta (Tremezzo)
Villa Carlotta is situated in the town Tremezzo. The villa and the gardens date from the fist half of the 18th century and were built for the Marchese Clerici as a summer home away from Milan. The 18th century gardens were laid out in the former classical italian style. The neoclassical villa stands above three terraces linked to the lake along the central axis by a series of double stairways with imposing balustrades.
The Villa Carlotta draws crowds especialy in April and May for its blazing display of colour – with different varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas. Inside the villa there is a museum dedicated to neoclassical art with prominent pieces of art such as statues by Canova; paintings by Appiani and Hayez, gobelins tapestries
via Regina, 2 Tremezzo, Como Italy 22019
Tel: 0344/40405 – 41011
Email: info@villacarlotta.it
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Villa Melzi (Bellagio)
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Villa Serbelloni (Bellagio)
Bellagio Italy
Tel: 031/951551 or 031/950204
www.villaserbelloni.com/Bellag…
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Helicopter Tours
Enjoy an excursion that brings you above lake Como on board your very own private chartered helicopter. You will fly above the lake and the terrain around the lake, you will overfly quaint villages, famous towns such as Bellagio with its villas and ancient alleys, pass over Roman Varenna, bustling Menaggio, all the historical houses, churches, luxury villas, Comacina Island and wonderful lake shores.
Tel & Fax: +39 0344 31723
Skype: andre.cesana
E-mail: andrea.cesana@happyholidayhomes.net
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Cookery Courses
Try this amazing experience and cook with a real Italian chef, who will teach you Italian recipes, with simple steps and useful advice. You may expect at the end of cooking lesson to be able to cook some very good Italian courses. Find out all you need to know on basic doughs, from egg pasta to puff pastry, and on meat, from the cuts to the cooking methods, and start cooking from the very beginning with fresh basic ingredients
Tel & Fax: +39 0344 31723
Skype: andre.cesana
E-mail: andrea.cesana@happyholidayhomes.net
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Event Classic Cars Lake Como
Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
Over a weekend, generally in April, the splendid grounds of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este and the Villa Erba in Cernobbio on Lake Como are transformed into a unique backdrop for the most beautiful cars from eras past and the most unusual concept cars of today. First staged in 1929 at this same location, the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este today ranks as the world’s most tradition-steeped car event of its kind.The event opens on a Saturday for invited guests and Sunday sees the Concorso offering all car fans another chance to experience these fabulous motors in the adjoining parkland of Villa Erba. In addition to the models presented the previous day, there are also numerous other prestigious classics on display in special exhibitions.
Admission to Villa Erba, which is located in Cernobbio on Lake Como
Grand Hotel Villa d’Este
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night life
Como has night life, the more wild at heart have to search a little more but there is something for everyone. World class Italian restaurants and night time boats trips compete with hotel and lake side dining to capture the hearts of both the young and old.
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