Bellagio, Italy

Bellagio, Italy – The Pearl of Lake Como

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ooking over the magnificent panorama of Lake Como from the Villa Serbelloni Gardens, it’s easy to forget that there is more to this three-winged loch than beauty. The shores are brilliant – the turquoise waters stretching to the distant banks, beaches covered in tiny pebbles and birds of all kinds swooping overhead, sometimes propelling downwards to snap at your sandwich or ice-cream. Behind you, the low, luxuriant peaks stand proudly, gleaming in the rays of the setting sun, covered in rich villas and mansions. Occasional rocky outcrops bathe the lower regions in shade, adding a tone of mystery and drama.

Around the town, the land is full of forest, on a steep incline towards the lake. The fields of crops and produce glow red and yellow in the sunset. The wine-beds are painted in deep purples and blues, reds and oranges, greens and yellows – all the colors of the rainbow transmitted by the moisture-covered vines. The skies are bright, the weather’s warm and somewhere, a few steps down a narrow street, someone is rolling fresh pasta to tempt you back from the shore.

Sitting and eating creamy risotto on one of the many mountain terraces overviewing the lake, you can really appreciate the freedom of a first-class resort evening. One of the restaurants you need to visit is La Punta. Situated on a cliff over the great lake Como, it shows picturesque views of the lake and its surroundings. If you are a great lover of luxurious fish, you must-taste is ‘Soute de-boned "Lavarello" fish in butter and sage’ and the famous fried perch fillet. For gourmets, ‘Il Grana Padano’ and the ‘Il Caprino d'alpeggio sott'olio’ are ever present. But if you wish to see the real Italian culture, do not hesitate to taste the ‘Baked "Lasagne" with tomato and meat sauce’ or the ‘Cheese and radicchio "Tortellini”’. Please, note that pasta is usually in the “First course” menu and not in the main dishes, for it is usually eaten by the Italians as a starter or our equivalent of “soup”.

As for a memorable holiday, you must have the perfect accommodation, do not delude yourself – Villa Serbelloni is the best you can get. Though it has a great price, it presents you with two a-la-carte restaurants, sunny beaches, pristine gardens, clean orderly rooms and views that enchant you. Villa Serbelloni prizes its majestic garden that covers almost 3 km. of land. It shows the view of the century – you cannot take your eye from it. There are different kinds of rooms in the hotel – double room, deluxe double, executive double and the senior site. When I stayed in Serbelloni, I was in the double room and even being the cheapest one – it was simply amazing. Gigantic windows, satellite TV, king-size beds and enormous bathtub – it had it all. I also saw the Senior Suite that my friend was staying in and I was shocked. The room was furnished in pure gold; it had a separate living room and cabinet. It was majestic by all means. It is a wonder, whose room it was before the villa was remade as a hotel?

But, as logic points out, before you can rest in this paradise you must get there. The roads that go to Bellagio are all very narrow and situated on cliffs, so if you do not wish to fall to your death – use a small, agile car that you can control well. The best airport to fly to if you want to stay in Bellagio is the Milan Airport. It is not very far away from the town and is easily accessible from almost any airline. While travelling in the town itself, do not even think about driving through Bellagio on car – the streets are far tot tiny, crowded and steep. It is better to travel on foot.

A major part of the town itself, are its people. There are all very friendly to foreigners, because – duh! – they are their major customers. Many locals are ready to help if there is something you do not know, and are keen to show you the direction (though they try to sell you something during the explanation). But there are some things you must never do, for Italians are very protective and quite sensitive.

Rule #1: Never touch the locals’ dogs without permission; the people are very protective of them.

Rule #2: Be very polite and respectful – never speak over an Italian or shove him.

Rule #3: Never think that Italians keep secrets.

There was once a woman who sold clay pots – all really beautiful and hand-made.  She had a small dog, a puppy even and all the people that came into the shop asked the woman to stroke him. My friend is a great fan of animals; I would say even a maniac. He came to the shop and with the permission of the lady, played with the puppy. He came almost every single day, until the woman said that he can’t come anymore. She was so simply jealous and protective over her dog, that she thought that my friend is going to take him away!

In my opinion, Bellagio is heaven on earth – it is the cream of life, of society and I think that if every city was like Bellagio, I world would be an amazing place. Though the streets are narrow and steep, the people protective and busy – this place is one I would gladly live or at least visit again.

Places to stay:

Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni

Via Roma, 1

22021 Bellagio Como, Italia

031 956432

Places to Eat:

La Punta

Punta spartivento, 19

22021 Bellagio Como, Italia

031 951888