Events and facts on Lake Como

[12/19/2007] Lake & city: discover Bellagio

Bellagio is a tiny town lying at the tip of the promontory rolling down into the middle of Lake Como. For centuries now it has been an attraction for international tourism, a spot appreciated for its stunning panorama and for its quality of life. There are numerous restaurants, hotels and shops, all of great quality.

The inhabitants of the 22 hamlets belonging to Bellagio – the ŒJewel of Lake Como¹ – number about 3,000. The village is rich in attractions and offers tourist every kind of opportunity: the gardens of Villa Serbelloni and Villa Melzi d¹Eril may be visited, as may the many churches present in the town and the surrounding area; tourists love to stroll among the uncontaminated nature, or go in for relaxation sessions at the well-being centres; or an exquisite dinner may be enjoyed in one of the numerous restaurants.
An attractive suggestion: a walking tour
Every year, the tourists making Bellagio their destination may – as already mentioned – visit the villa gardens, enjoy a spot of shopping in the town centre and explore the latest fashions. Then there are the Walking Tours that Bellagio tourist guides find are always very popular.
Rita Annunziata, chairwoman of the PromoBellagio Association, explained: < This is why we have decided to organise itineraries, which have been translated into five languages: whilst exploring the area, tourists can read something about the artistic heritage and history of what they are looking at.
Besides these town tours, there is also great request for those in the mountain areas: work is currently underway to draw up a map that is scheduled to be printed at the beginning of the summer².
Here Rita Annunziata gives us a preview of one of her favourite routes.
³Starting off from Guggiate, we go up to the ŒPerlo¹ viewpoint, in order to enjoy the beautiful panorama from just above Bellagio.
We then walk on, through the Brogno wood, to come out on the road leading to Ghisallo. Before returning towards the lake, there¹s the ideal opportunity for a stop-off in the hamlet of Chevrio, where the view is once again spellbinding and unique. Then we descend towards Visgnola and return to Bellagio².
This itinerary, which takes about three of four hours, also offers the chance to visit some of the riding schools in the area or to taste foods typical to the area – such as honeys and cheeses – at some of the farms².
www.bellagiolakecomo.com

How to get to Bellagio
There are a variety of solutions. Perhaps by boat, ideally accompanied by an expert skipper. Or in one of the larger boats or ferries leaving from Cadenabbia or Varenna, which are on the lake¹s western and eastern shores respectively. Or with your own transport: so by car, bicycle or motorbike.
Arrival by motorbike or by boat are the methods we recommend, as they give the visitor the full freedom to explore the Lake Como area, but also – and primarily – because the short crossing by ferry is certainly a memorable experience. Likewise for the trip astride a Harley Davidson, living the Œcoast-to-coast¹ emotion, Lake Como style.
Coming to Bellagio by motorbike is not only fun but easy: we decided to jump astride a Harley Davidson FLTSNI Softail Deluxe – the American manufacturer¹s supreme model – and set off from Como, heading for Menaggio.
After leaving the first basin behind us we soon came to Cadenabbia, where we took the ferry and reached Bellagio in just a few minutes, followed by the gazes of the many admirers looking at our Softail Deluxe. A stop-off at Bellagio is a must. You can go for a stroll through the town¹s streets, or enjoy an ice-cream beneath the porticoes. Pressing on with the bike tour we recommend following the road further, taking the climb up to Magreglio, to the Madonna del Ghisallo (the patron saint of cyclists) and then on to Civenna, where we find the Memorial to dead motorcyclists: every year thousands of bikers gather here on 1 November to pay their respects. A splendid panorama may be enjoyed both from Magreglio and from Civenna.
The Œcoast to coast¹ is done by... ferry – a speciality of the area: we can go from the western shore to the centre of the lake, and then proceed to other destinations. The brief distances between one side of the lake and the other make this possible.
We can make the most of our time with a quick crossing, and then get back astride our two wheels for the thrill of bend after bend.
As an alternative to a bike, a boat is certainly another favourite means; the timetable for the local ferry company offers frequent departures during the warmer seasons.
Stepping off a private boat is another stylish way to arrive: a short cruise around the Bellagio area, a relaxing stop-off for purchases at the local shops or simply for a drink under the porticoes, gazing at the lake. We savoured this experience thanks to the taxi boats and we thoroughly recommend a short trip out to enjoy the lake...right from its centre.

Bellagio is also... taste and communication
Some useful advice for satisfying the palate and staying in contact with the world. You can go on line at Bellagiopoint Internet Wine Bar to have a quick check on your emails, to send pictures of the highlights of your holiday or to do some research to plan the rest of your stay.
And in between site visits and sending emails you have the perfect opportunity for savouring a good wine accompanied by a selection of typical foods prepared on the spot.
One of the bar¹s unusual attractions: the bottles of wine featuring Bellagio and Lake Como landscapes and views, all hand-painted by the artist Bruno Tagliapietre.
A classic after-dinner spot in Bellagio is Divina Commedia – the historic bar inspired by Dante Alighieri¹s work by the same name. Its three floors (reflecting the themes of Inferno, Purgatory and Paradise) have been renovated, and now also offer a Cheese Bar during the day. This means customers can try a sophisticated selection of Italian cheeses accompanied by wine from an excellent range.
A tip for shopping fans: the Boutique del Borgo is a modern clothes boutique with great atmosphere, where Italian creativity is expressed in a timeless, ageless all-round look of the highest standards.

Text from http://www.lakecomolifestyle.com