The Lovely Lago di Como

Last week saw 'P' and I visit the beautiful Lake Como as a present for his 40th birthday.  We headed off on Monday lunchtime flying out from Birmingham Airport to Milan Malpensa, arrived at around 4.30, met by our transfer driver and then had a nearly 2 hour drive to the little town of Bellagio where we were to spend our 5 night holiday.

[caption id="attachment_916" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="First night in Bellagio"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_917" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="'P' in Bellagio - first night"][/caption]

We stayed at the Hotel Bellagio which was right in the centre of town and ideally located for shopping and hopping on and off the ferry (Full tripadvisor review - Hotel Bellagio).  This was a very peaceful child-free break, 'A' was actually away with school at the Pioneer Centre and 'S' had a great time staying with both 'P's mom and my own.  I think they would have loved the initial sites at Lake Como but I do think that after a day or so they would have been completely bored as it's really not a child friendly place.  For us, however, it was magical!  People ask what we did to which I answer, eat, drink, catch the ferry, eat, drink, catch the ferry and eat, drink some more...........and that pretty much sums it up......heaven! :)

[caption id="attachment_918" align="aligncenter" width="199" caption="Narrow street in Varenna"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_919" align="aligncenter" width="199" caption="Me by the Lake in Bellagio"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_920" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="One of the main shopping streets in Bellagio"][/caption]

Bellagio itself is a lovely little town with lots of quaint narrow streets full of boutique shops and gifts galore.  Plenty of places to eat out or catch a late evening drink by the lakeside and a lovely walk from the car ferry station towards Villa Melzi, framed by Oleander trees and hundreds of colourful flowers.  There are too many restaurants and cafe's to name them all but one of our favourites was 'Baba Yaga' (Full Tripadvisor review) which did the most superb steak and pizza's.  There were also some not so good eateries including the highly overrated 'La Punta' (Full Tripadvisor review) where we had a most awful experience!



As already mentioned we spent most of our days wandering through the town or visiting one of the many nearby villages by ferry.  The little town of Varenna was just wonderful with the same narrow cobbled streets but a very peaceful feel to it and Menaggio was a little more built up with busier roads but still that same laid back, Lake Como vibe.

[caption id="attachment_923" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Varenna"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_924" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Idyllic location for a sit down in Varenna"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_927" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Menaggio"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_926" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Menaggio"][/caption]

We had a real mix of weather whilst there, hot and sunny on our first and last day with cloudy days and a thunderstorm in between.  We made the most of our sunny days for travelling on the ferry and kept the dismal weather for shopping and a visit to Villa Melzi in Bellagio.

[caption id="attachment_928" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Villa Melzi - Bellagio"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_930" align="aligncenter" width="199" caption="View of the Lake from Villa Melzi grounds"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_929" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Villa Melzi gardens"][/caption]

Our last day saw us visiting the lovely Lenno, Argegno and Tremezzo.  The trip from Lenno to Argegno gave us a superb opportunity to photograph the truly beautiful Villa Balbianello which was a location used in films such as Casino Royale and Star Wars.  Although our stop in Argegno was very brief we visited a wonderful little wine bar/cafe where we received fantastic service.  We only wish we'd taken more notice of the name but after a little googling I believe that it may be the 'Cafe Colombo'.

[caption id="attachment_931" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Lenno"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_932" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="'P' and I in Lenno"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_934" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Villa Balbianello"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_933" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Villa Balbianello"][/caption]

Needless to say we both felt thoroughly chilled after a Lake Como break, 5 nights was just right to see and do everything we wanted to and we both felt that we left completely fulfilled with what the area had to offer.

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