When you hear the name Lake Como, what comes to mind? George Clooney? Certain Movies and Music Videos? Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous? These pop-culture ideas are part of what makes Como what is it today. Yet the truth is, Como is so much more than a place for celeb sightings and haute fashion. Lago di Como is surrounded by mountains, with Switzerland just over the ridge. The lake itself is the third largest lake in Italy and one of the deepest in all of Europe. It’s natural beauty is breath-taking from every angle. That is why aristocrats, world leaders, artists and writers have flocked to it since the Roman Age. Believe it or not, George Clooney did not make Lake Como famous. He only made it fashionable for Americans to visit, in our generation. Como has been in the forefront of culture and history for thousands of years. Sorry, George. This was one of the last stops on our Italian adventure this summer. We started out in bustling cities, then slowly moved further and further north to relax in mountain towns. The appeal of Lake Como today, is that it is surrounded by quiet little villages, with the bustling (and somewhat pretentious) towns of Como and Bellagio on the southern end. So if you want to hide away in peace and quiet to enjoy the beauty, you can. Yet if you want to get in on all the action, and watch for celebs, you can do that too. We chose the quiet route, renting a villa on the north end overlooking the town of Gravedona. It was the perfect place to end our trip in Italy. We poked around in the quaint villages, relaxed on the water’s edge, and gazed out our windows in effort to capture the beauty and never forget. This is the view from our balcony. Can you believe it? It would be a shame to visit Lake Como and not get out on the lake… Our friends at CulturalItaly.com set up a fabulous boat trip with a private guide to show us around the lake. The kids were thrilled to get to visit the captain of our “ship” and we were thrilled to see the lavish waterfront villas, hear stories of their owners and guests, and learn a bit of history on the lake. Recognize any of these famous villas? Yep, you’ve seen them in movies and on TV… The last photo shows George Clooney’s house on the left. The cities of Como and Bellagio aren’t half-bad either. wink Although we planned to avoid bustling areas, we hopped off the boat in both places to explore the towns with our guide. Bellagio is alluring with its staircase-streets built up the side of the mountain. Como is rich in history and beauty, boasting one of the most ornate churches in all of Italy. We also found gelato. Of course. When we visit Italy again, Lake Como will absolutely be on the list. Charming. Awe-inspiring. Lavish Lake Como. In fact, whether your time in Italy is to be short or long, I would definitely suggest stopping for a couple days in Lake Como. It is one of our favorite places in all of Italy. If you need help planning your trip to Italy, contact CulturalItaly.com. Also find them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and Google +. Share This Recipe With Friends!
