ramed against a breathtaking landscape of steep, pineswathed mountains, Lake Como is famed for its atmospheric sense of calm and elegance. The wishbone-shaped lake is over 37 kms long, and is one of the deepest in Europe. Its shores are dotted with a collection of rainbow-coloured towns and villages, whose surrounding hills offer lovely walks and even lovelier views. The whole effect is a blend of regal Italian charm and a surprising tropical beauty. Lake Como has been a popular holiday destination for aristocrats and the wealthy since Roman times, due to its beautifully kept public gardens, historic villas and dramatic views, so you may end up brushing shoulders with a few of the celebrities who own homes there, probably the most famous of which is owned by George Clooney. Bellagio is one of the most stunning lakeside towns not only on the lake, but in Europe. It’s known for its lavish villas, particularly Villa Serbelloni and Villa Melzi as well as for its pretty cobbled streets and breathtaking views from the tip of the lake’s central peninsula. Menaggio is a lakeside hotspot on the western shore and sports an old-town centre and a pretty promenade. Just down the road is Cadenabbia, a tiny hamlet with the most stunning views, which is an ideal base for exploring the region. Just next to that is Tremezzo, famous for its vibrant gardens bursting with colour and its Lake Como F Built in the late 16th century, this magnificent Villa is known for its picturesque gardens, which exclusively feature flowers and trees in the colours of the Italian flag: green, white and red. Not surprisingly the villa is one of the most popular places to visit along the shoreline and would make the highlight of a day’s outing by boat on the lake taking in other sites like the town of Bellagio as well as other notable lakeside villas including Villa Carlotta, Villa D’Este and a sneaky peek at George’s pad! Fans of Star Wars and Casino Royale will probably recognise Villa del Balbianello as it was used for key scenes in both movies. Villa del Balbianello 16
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