Vacation Spot: Lake Como
What to see: Como, Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio
What to eat: Lombard cuisine isn’t your typical Italian fare–rather than finding your stereotypical pasta dishes with tomatoes and olive oil, you can expect to see lots of meats and cheeses as well as richer entree dishes like risotto alla milanese (a heavy cream-based saffron risotto), and of course wonderful wines.
While most people assume that Como (the city) would be the most popular area around Lake Como, tourists typically use the ferry service to hop around to various parts of the lake. Como does have the widest selection of shops and restaurants (can you say souvenir shopping?), but you won’t want to miss some of the other, more quaint areas like Bellagio and Varenna where you’ll spend the day getting lost in cobblestone alleyways lined with small shops and pizzerias. Today, I’m giving you my exclusive peak into the wonderful town of Bellagio, which Mark Twain used to call a “paradise of tranquil repose.”
How to get around: Just kidding! While these red sports cars are gorgeous, Bellagio is built into the mountainside, so the best way to explore is by foot. Expect to climb quite a few stairs but to be rewarded with incredibly beautiful views overlooking the entire lake.
What to bring back: Silk products, local crafts, homemade pastas and local honey, amaretto cookies.
These light, flourless cookies are the perfect afternoon treat with tea or coffee and come in an array of colors, so I love to give them as hostess gifts for dinner parties:
Local sauces and honeys are wonderful…
as are some of the shops with homemade crafts. This is actually an ornament store that celebrates Christmas all year long!
Finally, you can’t leave Bellagio without their staple silks and leather products, and you can’t leave Italy without homemade pasta! Tip: Don’t settle for the first shop you see, especially those closest to the main dock. The shops located on the main street at the top of the hill have the best deals, and will often throw in extra scarves or goods for you if you buy several at a time.
What to do: Bellagio has an incredibly laid back feel. Take in the bright colors and palm trees along the Via Garibaldi, the main street along the dock, grab some gelato or a cappuccino, and enjoy getting lost in the wonderful colors and architecture that make the town come alive.
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