Sunset over Lake Como
My new life goal is to figure out how to afford enough time to explore every rustic town, historic villa and wooded mountainside on majestic Lake Como. Amazingly, every section is picture-perfect.
Grounds of Villa Melzi d’Eril
Lake Como is the least-developed, least-visited of the Lombard lakes. It is sprawling, shaped like an inverted Y. It measures about 160 km around, which might not sound like such a big distance, but consider that the winding shoreline dips into delightful villages and along the stunning lake, making it impossible to drive straight through any stretch.
Lake Como is of glacial origin. It is Italy’s third-largest lake (Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore are larger) and one of the deepest lakes in Europe. Its primary inflow is the Adda River. An extensive and reliable ferry system services the many towns around the lake.
The shoreline is dotted with grand villas and their extravagant gardens, most of which are only visible from the water. Some are only accessible via boat.
One of the many private villas along the lake
Most of the terrain is murderously mountainous (just try a 45-degree climb and you’ll see) and lush.
Clouds peeking over mountaintops
The main towns on the lake are Como, Bellagio and Lecco. Interspersed are countless barely-there villages that form the backbone of life on the lake.
Lakeside village
The crux of the lake’s inverted-Y
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