Lake Como: gorgeous Italian villas for rent

Lake Como

Lake Como villa rentals

Lombardia is Italy’s wealthiest region, but it remains best known for its famous lakes—Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Lake Garda. We have many gorgeous villas encircling Como and Garda.

Surrounded by mountains, these lakes are like perfect gems, providing an ideal holiday setting. Our villas are close to several major cities are nearby, including: Milan, Bergamo, Brescia, and Cremona—the ancestral home of the violin.

Lake Como
With its tiny villages stacked perilously on rocky slopes overlooking the lake, Lake Como offers an incredibly and wide variety of vegetation and landscape that makes it one of the most scenic spots in all of Italy. Visitors will be happily immersed in a natural environment of great beauty and exceptional conservation.

Lake Como is the deepest Italian lake, reaching 410 metres between Nesso and Argegno. It’s the third largest in surface area.

Como, the lake’s unofficial capital, is positioned along the southwestern shore. The old centre of town is still enclosed by a fortified wall, holding many precious architectural jewels, including the Gothic-Renaissance cathedral, the Broletto and other fascinating medieval buildings. The lakeside is punctuated by a series of sumptuous residences, bearing eloquent witness to the province’s enduring appeal over the centuries.

Many properties boast lush gardens, full of exotic and rare plants and scattered monuments of great beauty. Today, many of these villas have been bought by famous personalities. A number have also become historical museums.

Como is an important centre for silk manufacturing, and this region was one of the first in Europe to embrace the industrial revolution. The production of silk, furniture, cabinetry and lace were all important to the region, and remain so in places like Como, Cantù and Bellagio

Shopping
Shoppers will love Como. Among the local specialties are exclusive Italian fashion lines, leather goods, artwork, and other fine crafts produced by local artisans.

What to do
Venturing north, on the roads from Como, are the towns of Cernobbio, home to the famous Villa d’Este, a 15th-century villa built by Pellegrini Tibaldi. It’s now a prestigious hotel. Moltrasio, Argegno, Torno and Lezzeno are small fishing villages that have retained their charm. Further up, we reach the heart of Como, where the Bellagio Peninsula dominates, with the promontory of Menaggio and the gorgeous Varenna.This landscape is breathtaking.

Menaggio is a pleasant, lively town, with a bright piazza and outdoor cafes, a beautiful lakeside promenade lined by villas, Belle Epoque hotels, and many parks. Menaggio is easy to reach with public transportation and—thanks to its central position between the lake and the mountains—it’s an ideal starting point for many excursions.

From Menaggio, a short jaunt on a hydrofoil will take you to Bellagio and Varenna. In the middle of the old town—pedestrian traffic only— are our apartments Il Corso apartments, each sleeping four. All three have been recently refurbished to very high standards.

Continuing up north, a series of small villages and beautiful villas sweep vertically above the lake, amid the lush Mediterranean vegetation of cypresses, laurel trees, camellias, azaleas. One hill nearby is home to Villa la Terazza, a panoramic apartment with shared swimming pool.

As the road heads north, elegant villas and parks give way to authentic villages— fisherman's houses clustered around the local churches. Here the tranquil rhythm of life is still paced by the pealing of bells, the old way of communication between the villages from opposite shores!

Santa Maria Rezzonico, 6 km from Menaggio, is the quintessential lakeside village. We simply felt in love with it.

Sitting on a south-facing promontory, thus enjoying long hours of sunshine, the tiny village lies along a thin cliff, on which stands a 14th century castle. Alleys and courts succeed one another all the way to the waterfront, with its fine pebble beaches and fishing spots. Just below the castle is the cozy apartment — la Calchera — an inexpensive yet comfortable apartment for two people.

Two kilometres from Rezzonico is the old village of Cremia, which dates back to the Roman era. It stands above the lake with beautiful views of the Valtellina mountains. Between the village and the lake is Casa Cremia, a delightful villa next to a small stream, with stunning views and a lovely garden.

From here one can walk to the lake or journey back on time by taking the ancient Roman road called L' Antica Via Regina. It leads to Rezzonico and Acquaseria, through fields and chestnut forests. Hikers will find many trails and many gorgeous mountain hamlets to explore. Mountain bike trails can also be found nearby.

Cradled at the foot of the Alps, Lake Como’s northern region offers great variety for mountain lovers. Hiking the pathways through unspoiled valleys is simply wonderful. The mountains also offer state-of-the-art skiing and hang gliding facilities.

In fact, throughout Como, opportunities for sports abound, and outdoors’ enthusiasts will find an embarrassment of riches. The list includes windsurfing, canoeing, water-skiing, golf, (courses at Menaggio and Cadenabbia) horse-riding, hang-gliding, cycling and Nordic skiing.

Food and Wine
Hundreds of fine restaurants are available; if you’re looking for fine gourmet meals, or down-to-earth local fare, you’ll have no shortage of choices. The local cuisine is influenced by region’s history, and it can be divided into three main areas:

the area around the lake, which predominates
the surrounding mountains and valleys
Brianza, shifting between hills and plains.

Lake cuisine is obviously based on fish, with risotto con pesce persico (risotto with perch) and smoked trout in oil two of the most popular.

In surrounding valleys, the cuisine is more rustic and authentic, based on polenta, chicken, young goats (bred nearby), and wild game. Choice trout dishes and plenty of delicious wild mushrooms will also be commonplace.

In Brianza, near Milan, rich dishes such as cazeula, busecca, polenta with game, spiced pork sausages with beans, and assorted cold cuts like filzette (long thin salami) and cacciatorini (short salami) will prove tasty and satisfying
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Vineyards are scattered throughout Como, producing light wines like Chiaretto (a ruby red wine from Bellagio), Domasino (a fruity sparkler), and other light wines like those from Rogaro, Griante or Carlazzo.

Brianza is home to Bianco Secco di Montecchia, a dry white wine praised by the poets Maggi and Carlo Porta. You will also find olive groves producing exceptional extra virgin oils, which have unfortunately become rare and expensive.

Transport
Boats and hydrofoils operate continuously from Como to Colico and serve the most important villages. Car ferries only stop at Bellagio, Cadenabbia, Menaggio and Varenna.

Getting to Como
By plane: Como is about 60 km from Malpensa, Milan’s International Airport. By car: From Milan take the motorway A9 Milano-Laghi and get off at Como Sud exit (the town's centre is about 10 km). By train: Como is well served by two railways companies: Ferrovie Nord & Ferrovie dello stato

::: How to reach us :::

marilou@vacationvillas.ca

Marilou Levangie & Dana Gallant
Vacation Villas & Pedal and Sea Adventures
9075 St. Margaret's Bay Road, RR#2
Hubbards, Nova Scotia • B0J 1T0
Toll Free: 1-877-777-5699 • 902-857-9319 (office)
• 902-858-2004 (fax)

We now sell trip cancellation insurance, too!

Enjoy a bike tour in Tuscany, Ireland, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, & Costa Rica with our sister company: Pedal and Sea Adventures. We also create wonderful golfing vacations at: Golf Nova Scotia & Golfing PEI

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