Lake Como
by Morgan
What you can’t miss…
A boat day on Lake Como — splurge on a classic water taxi mahogany boat, or save by renting a boat for the day and having someone in your group drive it. We opted for the latter, went to the local markets and wine shops to stock up for the day beforehand, and had the dreamiest day!
Spend a day in Bellagio if you’re not staying there. Wander through the gardens and the town, get lunch, and then take the ferry back. Bellagio is so beautiful, but it is far from the only place to stay in Lake Como!
Definitely rent a car while you’re in Lake Como. The drives from the town of Como are beautiful regardless of which town you stay in and most hotels have garages that you can park them in for a fee. That said, if you don’t rent a car, you can take a train directly into the town of Como within 40 minutes from Milan Central, but make sure to check on the ferry schedule beforehand…
Before you leave Lake Como, stop into the town of Como for lunch. It is such a cute town that we loved people watching in! We sat at cafés for hours drinking cappuccinos (and then Hugo spritzes) people watching and trying to blend in as a Milanese family on holiday…
Where to stay…
Menaggio is a super cute town that we stayed in. It has a few great restaurants (make sure to make reservations in advance), a wine bar with live music, and gives all the Lake Como vibes without the crowds of Bellagio. We stayed at the Hotel Bellavista, which was great for us — small, somewhat basic rooms but gorgeous balconies with incredible views, and perfect if you plan on being at the pool or exploring throughout the day! For a more luxe experience, opt for the Grand Hotel Victoria.
If you’re looking for an iconic (and ritzier) Lake Como experience, stay at Villa D’Este, Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Passalacqua, or Il Sereno
What to pack…
Lake Como is the perfect place to pull out all the stops and dress to the nines. Contrary to Italian beach towns, and many other areas of Italy, Lake Como is the perfect place to dress up and wear heels. You’re not climbing stairs to get back to your room (ahem, Positano), and it’s a quieter, more romantic scene, so bring your chic Italian dreams to life here.
Linens, patterns, and silk scarves
Sweaters for evenings on the lake, especially if you are taking a water taxi back to your hotel