After San Sebastian/Donastia we headed to Northern Italy for a month. Our first week was in the Lake Como area, and the next three weeks were hiking in the Dolomites (read our next post for that). Lake Como is a dreamy place with beautiful villas, stunning views, and a relaxing vibe. We stayed in Bellagio, and it turned out to be a great base for our explorations as it has the most direct connections by ferry to the rest of the towns around the lake. Lake Como is also a top destination for many photo hungry instagrammers; so we had fun watching the fashions and posings for them to get that perfect picture.
Bellagio
We enjoyed wandering the narrow alleyways of our home base. Every day we took ferries to other towns around the lake. Citrus fruit trees were in bloom and the place smelled amazing!
Varenna
This was our favorite little town on the lake. Vibrant, colorful, and fun to explore.
Villa Monastero
Villa Monastero is a spectacular villa near Varenna that has wonderful gardens and stunning views over Lake Como.
Castello di Vezio
It’s a bit of a steep hike above Varenna but there is an interesting castle with great views of the lake.
Sailing on Lake Como
One of our favorite activities on the lake was sailing. Our captain took us on a tour of the lake and we enjoyed appetizers and prosecco for sunset. We also went for a swim in the warm water.
The Villas
There are many villas around the lake that we explored. We don’t think Amal and George Clooney were home or we would have knocked.
Villa Carlotta
Villa Carlotta has massive gardens.
Villa del Balbianello
This villa is famous for being in a Star Wars and James Bond movie. The gardens are immaculate and are a huge draw for photographers. We didn’t realize how popular it was and unfortunately could only get a timed entry to the gardens. The interior tour would have been interesting as the last owner was an avid explorer and expedition leader who left his collection of artifacts and bequeathed the home to the National Trust of Italy.
Villa Melzi
This villa is in Bellagio and is still occupied by the original family; although no one was “home” as they probably own several properties. We enjoyed exploring the gardens with spectacular views.
Hike to Chiesa di San Martino
For the entire week we wondered about this tiny church perched on a ledge above the lake. It turns out there is a fun (but steep) hike through small, quiet villages to get there. The view is worth the effort. We thought about bringing a lunch but fortunately we didn’t. There is a herd of hungry goats at the church that harass anyone with food. On the way back we stopped at an old bar for our first limoncello spritz (hint: really yummy). Diane’s drink straw is pointing at the tiny church: Chiesa di San Martino.
Como
We took the high speed ferry from Bellagio to Como (the town). Alessandro Volta (a physicist/chemist who invented the battery) came from Como so there is a sculpture in the harbor, a lighthouse/monument at the top of the hill, and a museum dedicated to him. It was interesting to explore the town for a few hours.
Leaving Lake Como
To leave Bellagio and drive to Madonna di Campiglio in the Dolomites, we had to ferry our car over to Varenna. Somehow driving a bright red Fiat around Italy seemed appropriate. One last time to enjoy the views of the pretty little towns along the lake. It was a fitting end to our week on Lake Como.
