Lake Como, known locally as Lario, is one of the most beautiful and famous of the Italian Lakes, situated in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy at the foot of the Alps.
Key features:
- Distinctive Shape: The lake has a unique, inverted “Y” shape, with the picturesque town of Bellagio located at the intersection of the three arms.
- Natural Beauty: It is renowned for its dramatic scenery, featuring deep blue waters, lush mountains, and a mild, sub-Mediterranean climate.
- Glamorous Appeal: Since Roman times, it has been a popular retreat for aristocracy and the wealthy, famous for its elegant, historic lakeside villas and celebrity residents.
- Key Towns: Major towns include Como (at the southwest arm), Lecco (at the southeast arm), and the beloved central resorts like Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio.
It is a major tourist destination celebrated for its history, architecture, and tranquil atmosphere.
Our visit to Lake Como 2nd-4th Feb 24.
Hotel
We looked at hotels on Lastminute, AirBnb and Wowcher in Como and unfortunately they did not inspire us to book there on this occasion. Lecco on the hand had The Pontevecchio (the old bridge). Great hotel, staff and location.
Car Hire
We hired a car from B-Rent Noleggio Auto they were really helpful and friendly.
Car hire was included in our package for €20, however, this did not include insurance. We paid a further €90 at the airport, we worked out our train tickets (although very reasonably priced) would be slightly more than hiring a car.
Veranna
We took the train from Lecco up to Veranna on a beautiful day in February. Clear blue sky with the mist lifting off the lake. The ferries take you across to Managgio and Bellagio.
The ‘Varenna’ ice-cream is amazing. And the walkways around the town are fascinating.
The streets and pathways are definitely worth exploring, there are many hidden gems to discover.
Enjoy a coffee and the water front cafes, with a spectacular view of the mountains of nearby Switzerland.
Menaggio
Cross over to Menaggio for lunch. The Hotel du Lac Cafe in Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi has a great lunch menu.
The view of Lake Como from the ferry crossing. The view from down on the ground was truly amazing but overhead we could hear the Como Seaplane Tours, up there the view must be incredible! Next time we said we definitely book one.
