Como's lake

Till the roman age the coasts of Lake Como were rich of marvellous villas, as Plinio, the famous poet, remembers us. He was the owner of two of these splendid buildings called "Comoedia" and "Tragoedia". This endless tradition of exclusive holidays, was alive also during the Renaissance period, as we can read in G.B. Giovio "Descriptio Larii Lacus". But was especially in the last centuries that a great number of villas was built. The tourist can reach Balbianello villa from the lake, it is today property of the Italian Environment Fund and, during the summertime, centre of evocative concerts. Or visit the wonderful garden rich of rare essences in "Melzi d'Eril" villa in Bellagio. This last is an ancient village placed on the peninsula in the extreme point where the lake forks. The wonderful view that we can admire from this place has always attracted an exclusive tourism from all over the world. 

The cultured tourist can also visit Menaggio and Cadenabbia on the western coast, and Varenna on the opposite shore. All the villages that face the lake have a long history that we can admire (through) in well kept monuments and important artistic works. 

Don't forget to visit Como with its uncountable masterpieces and Lecco where, the unforgettable Manzoni's novel

"I Promessi Sposi"(Betrothed), takes place.

Further more the sportsman has the possibility to sail the lake or to make the windsurf in Colico and Dervio. 

The lake fish is very important for the local cooking, the visitor can taste " agoni with vinegar", "rice and perch filet" or "alborelle fried". These two last are typical of other Brianza's lakes as Annone and Pusiano, Segrino and Montorfano (where there is the famous golf centre in Villa d'Este). And if the tourist wants to buy something as souvenir we advise him to look for the famous Como's silk and if he prefers to play his money he could go to the Campione d'Italia 

casinò, on Lake Lugano, surrounded by the Swiss territory.