Lake
Como is one of the many lakes located at the foot of the
Italian Alps just north of Milan. Villages dot the shoreline
of Lake Como and ferries plow the icy waters taking tourists
from one village to another. The countryside is composed
of huge granite mountains with precarious roads carved along
the outer edges.
Bellagio
is mainly visited by English and American tourists. New
construction in Bellagio has been restricted so that the
town retains its historic character. The main shopping areas
are best visited on foot, as stone walkways lined with stores
stretch from the lake upwards into the town proper.
The docks at Bellagio
Lake
Como has many famous and rich families from Milan who have
built beautiful villas and gardens. Many of the properties
are now in the hands of the Italian government as part of
a historic trust. Some of the famous gardens are located
at Villa Melzi, Villa Balbianello and Villa Carlotta.
The gardens at Villa Balbianello
Villa
del Balbianello - Lenno, Lake Como
Perhaps one of the most unique villas along Lake Como is
Villa del Balbianello. The villa is located in
the village of Lenno. The ferry drops you off at the main
dock in Lenno and a signs points off to the left for Villa
del Balbianello. Accessing Villa del Balbianello is probably
the most difficult part of viewing this villa. You must
hike around the small marina area of Lenno then climb over
several hills before you arrive at the gate to the villa.
If you are lazy, you can hire a boat to take you to the
villa as it sits on a promontory overlooking the lake. The
effect is as if it is on a private and remote island
Its history of the villa is complicated. It was originally
built in 1787 on the site of a Franciscan Monastery by Cardinal
Angelo Maria Durini. The villa changed hands until 1974
when it was purchased by the Italian explorer Guido Monzino.
Guido Monzino was the first Italian to scale Everest and
he explored West Africa, Nepal, Tibet, and the North Pole.
During his explorations, he collected indigenous art. The
villa currently houses his collections. Elaborate French
and English original paintings line the walls. An extensive
collection of antique French furniture grace the small rooms.
Upon his death the villa was donated to the National Trust
of Italy.
The
tour starts in the small study or library on the garden
grounds and then the villa extends downward into the side
of the hills, one floor at a time, with views from each
room looking out over Lake Como. It is not a terribly large
villa, but it has secret passage the allow for a quick escape
by boat.
Tickets
for Villa del Balbianello - You can purchase
tickets at the entrance to the villa.
Villa
Melzi - Bellagio, Lake Como
Villa
Melzi is located within walking distance of the center of
Bellagio. The gardens are enormous , encompassing several
acres and facing Lake Como. As you walk along the trails
in the garden you realize that the owners took enormous
care to collect species of plants from a variety of continents
that would flourish in the semi tropical climate of Lake
Como. The gardens are not formal in style but seem to have
a natural progression. The villa is not open for tours.
Tickets
for Villa Melzi - You can purchase tickets
for the gardens at the entrance to the villa.
Entrance to Villa Carlotta
Villa
Carlotta - Tremezzo, Lake Como
Villa
Carlotta is located on the opposite site of Lake Como from
Bellagio at Tremezzo. It is a huge imposing white villa
that faces the lake. Visitors have access to both the gardens
and the villa. The entrance to the villa and gardens is
an elaborate fountain with putti or angel surrounded by
camellias azaleas and grottos with ferns.
Tickets
for Villa Carlotta - You can purchase tickets
for the garden and villa at the entrance to the villa.
There
are two possible ways to get to Bellagio. The most direct
route is also the most scary. As you leave the town of Como
and head off SS583 towards Bellagio you will be hugging
a very narrow and winding road, never exceeding 15 miles
an hour. If you have any form of vertigo this is not the
best method of getting to Bellagio. The second route is
to take SS340 along the western side of Lake Como until
you get to Tremezzo. They have car ferries that will take
you directly to Bellagio. This second road is a bit more
interesting as there are many villages that you drive through
on your way to Bellagio.
Lombary
Vacation Rentals, Lake
Como Travel Photos
Fishing village of Pescallo near Bellagio
Photos
and text copyrighted by Vacations-Abroad.com
