Lake Como

Out of the five northern lakes, Como is the most romantic, providing poetic inspiration for writers such as Shelley, Bellini and Stendhal. Just half an hour from Milan, Lake Como is an area of natural and historic beauty, and has been popular with the English for many years. The lake is 47 kilometres long and has a varied coastline dotted with magnificent villas, small quayside villages with beaches, chic towns and old historic centres. With a glorious wooded backdrop and the snow-capped Alps in the distance, this really is a magnificent location for a honeymoon or wedding.

Lake Como has a wealth of historic villas and gardens open to the public such as Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo and the Gardens at Villa Serbelloni and Villa Melzi in Bellagio. Villa Balbianello has the most breathtaking views of the lake and is set on a promontory in its own gardens, which were featured in the second episode of the Star Wars films.

On the east side of the lake, the picture-postcard town of Bellagio with its cobbled streets, grand villas, chic cafes and boutiques is a perfect location for your wedding or honeymoon. Set in the hills just a short walk from the centre of Bellagio is the Villa Ortensia. Recently renovated, this villa enjoys a glorious setting for a honeymoon or a wedding while one of the nearby restaurants is ideal for wedding receptions.

Como itself is a cosmopolitan city, particularly good for shopping. It has a pleasant historic centre with a wide variety of boutiques and striking architecture. The "duomo" is truly remarkable and has a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance features. Don't miss the Torre del Comune, a huge tower at the entrance to the historic centre. It is also possible to take the funicular out of the city into the hills while the lake is regularly criss-crossed by ferries. Transport on the lake is so good that some of our properties can be located without the need to hire a car.

Varenna is a sublimely peaceful lakeside town with a cobbled historic centre, Renaissance villas and charming cafes. Menaggio is an excellent location for those keen on exploring the hills and mountains on foot. It is possible to explore the other lakes nearby such as Lago Maggiore and Lago D'Orta, both of which makes an excellent day trip.