My Great Escape: Italian lakes

“The next glass of prosecco to touch my lips will be in Italy!” I announced confidently, two days before our departure to Lake Como. Unfortunately, the promise was broken that evening when we began our packing, “to put us in the mood”.

My partner John and I love the Italian Lakes, and we try to go every year. Last summer we chose Lake Como.

Read more: A love story on Italy's Lake Como 

Bellagio is known as the “Pearl of the Lake”

We flew out at the end of August, landing into the blue skies of Bergamo outside Milan. We were staying at the elegant Regina Olga Hotel in Cernobbio, right on the shore of Lake Como. It was the perfect location: in a pretty little town and an easy, interesting walk along the lake to the larger town of Como a mile away.

The highlight of all of our trips to this lovely part of Europe (apart from the prosecco!) are the ferries. We can happily spend a day crisscrossing the lakes, getting on and off as we please, exploring the many towns and villages that hug the shores and, of course, enjoying the local cuisine.

One particular gem is Bellagio, set on a promontory of Lake Como, whose steep, cobbled streets are filled with flowers. Just across the lake, the beautiful Villa del Balbianello is another must-see: built in the 18th century, it’s home to an unusual collection of furniture and elaborate gardens.

However, for me, it’s all about the prosecco. It is the quintessential taste of the Italian Lakes—sparkling, light, filled with sunshine and happiness.

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