“Is there a land of such supreme and perfect beauty anywhere?” 19th century poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wondered after a visit to Lake Como. The Italian Lakes, including Lake Orta, Como and Maggiore are unique in Italy for their beauty and pedigree. Beginning in medieval times, nobility have always prized this region as a place to escape and today celebrities such as George Clooney and Richard Branson own villas here for much the same reason; walk along the many footpaths and trails that meander past picture-perfect villages enjoying superb hotels in lake-side locales, dining in fine restaurants and you will understand the allure…
“Little has changed in the past 50 years, though several grand hotel openings have added to the lakes’ cachet. The main attractions, however, remain the simple, authentic pleasures that travelers have appreciated since the days of the grand tour…Despite a high celeb quotient, Como, Italy’s most sophisticated lake, embodies low-key glamour, history, and tradition. Its 30-mile-long western shoreline runs from the miniature sailing port of Cernobbio through sleepy Laglio to Menaggio. On the eastern shore is the chic hillside village of Bellagio, with its rainbow-colored villas; the old stone fishing villages of Bellano and Varenna are popular with culture and nature buffs, thanks to their medieval castles and elaborate Renaissance gardens. Set along the southern banks of the Alps, Maggiore, Italy’s second-largest lake, is the busiest and most untamed. The eastern, Lombard shore is characterized by wild woodlands, but most travelers go to the western side, where the village of Stresa is chock-full of artisanal shops. Close to the Swiss border you’ll find the town of Cannobio, a labyrinth of cobblestoned streets, medieval palazzi, and waterfront restaurants.” Travel & Leisure
Trip Reviews
Honestly, it was far more than I could have imagined. The entire trip was magical. The hikes were spectacular and sufficiently challenging, with great views or cafes for rewards. The hotels were wonderful and service was great.
This was a wonderful trip – the same type of beautiful towns and great accommodations we have had in past trips and better than some of our past experiences as far as hiking directions.
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