#2: Lake Como

A Truly magical location!

After a long 12.5-hour flight from Singapore, we finally landed in Milan. While we were in Italy, we ended up in Milan 3 times so one would expect that we know it quite well. The truth is though, I've only ever seen the airport and Railway Station! 😁Milan was the hub of our travels, a train from there to Como and return then another return trip to Venice, and then from Milan down to Santa Margherita.

A very well-traveled friend told me that if you visit Italy, you must go to Lake Como! Trusting his advice, I planned to start our Italian adventure in Como. As I mentioned in my last blog, I did all the bookings for the entire trip online so was certainly hoping that all went according to plan, after arriving at Changi Airport 12 hours early, I needed to get a few things right to get the ladies trusting me again! 😏 The train journey from Milan to Como took about 1 and a quarter hours over two trains, so a nice way to get a bit of a feel for the beautiful countryside. The Air B & B that I had booked in Como was an apartment on the 3rd floor right in the middle of the Town. The one thing that I checked on before confirming was that there was an elevator! With luggage X 4 plus an elderly lady, this was a must!

The lady that I booked the apartment off very kindly collected us from the train station and made two trips to get our luggage and us to the apartment. On arriving at the apartment, I discovered that the elevator was only suitable for 2 people, (or one plus 2 suitcases) so up and down I'm going shuttling the girls and then the bags into our home for the next 3 days. The apartment itself was fine so I got a few "brownie points" for getting this correct!

After settling into the apartment, it was time to do some exploring and have some lunch, so it was another shuttle session up and down in the elevator! At this point of time, we have only been in Italy for a matter of hours and we're starting to come to grips with the language barrier. None of us speak decent Italian, although I continue to try and communicate with a hybrid version that is probably a combination of English, Italian, and French! At the end of the day if you can say beer, vino, and point to something on the restaurant menu then you'll get by! 😊😁After the long flight and travel to get here we didn't plan too much more for the first day but just took the time to take in the scenery and familiarize ourselves with the local surroundings, a light dinner down by the Lake and then it was time to head off to bed and prepare ourselves for tomorrow.

Como itself is at the southern end of the Lake, the Lake is shaped like an upside-down letter "Y" and is flanked by the Swiss Alps to the west and Italy's north to the east and is one of the most spectacular places I've ever visited! It is no wonder that many of the world's rich and famous have decided to relocate to this beautiful location, the likes of George Clooney, Madonna, Richard Branson, Sylvester Stallone, Gianni Versace, and soccer legend Ronaldinho, own or have owned villas around the shores. Several movies have been filmed here as well, including Casino Royale, Oceans 12 and Star Wars, Attack of the Clones.

Bellagio - The Pearl of Lake Como

The next morning, we boarded the ferry to take us on a tour of the Lake, with the plan of getting off in Bellagio, known as the "Pearl of Lake Como, we were greeted by winding cobblestone streets that begged to be explored. The town sits proudly on the side of a hill, offering views that take your breath away from every angle.

After strolling up and down the cobblestone streets with views over the shimmering lake, we walked along the waterfront promenade. The boats bobbing gently in the harbor were almost too perfect, their reflections dancing on the water like something out of a dream. We couldn’t resist stopping at a lakeside café for lunch, it was picture-perfect and one of those "pinch yourself" moments that you have in life sometimes!

Another highlight of the day was Villa Melzi. Mary is the gardener of the family and this grand estate, with its expansive gardens, was everything we had hoped for and more. Walking through the gardens, every corner revealed a new treasure—statues, exotic plants, and of course, more stunning views of the lake. Finally, it was time to leave Bellagio and head back to our base in Como. Dinner that evening was at a little restaurant on the edge of the Lake. I dined on fresh lake fish, paired with a crisp white wine from the region. The night was cool, the stars were bright, and the gentle lapping of the lake against the shore was the perfect soundtrack to end the day.

The next morning started with a long walk around the western side of the lake with Jacqueline. the previous day's activities had taken a lot out of Mary, she is still getting over her last lot of cancer treatment so does tire at the end of the day. Her tenacity to see things though is amazing. Elaine too feels that the travel and busy days have caught up with her so Jacqueline and I left them for a big sleep-in! The rest of the day was spent exploring Como including the magnificent "Duomo di Como" church in the Square.

Tremezzo and a Farewell to Lake Como

On the final day, we made our way to Tremezzo. This Village is on the opposite of the lake than Bellagio, about halfway up on the western side. It is famous for the opulent Villa Carlotta. This 18th-century villa is renowned for its magnificent art collection and sprawling gardens. Wandering through the villa's rooms, I couldn’t help but be awed by the sheer history and beauty of the place. Sculptures, paintings, and antique furniture told stories of a time when Lake Como was the playground of European aristocracy.

But as stunning as the villa’s interiors were, it was the gardens that stole the show, (For Mary in particular). With fountains, staircases draped in flowers, and hidden groves, it felt like stepping into a fairytale. We spent well over an hour wandering, soaking in the serenity of it all, knowing our time at Lake Como was coming to an end.

For lunch, we found another quiet spot near the water—one last chance to drink in those incredible views before I had to say goodbye. As I sat there, enjoying a simple but delicious meal of pasta and local cheese, I couldn’t help but reflect on the past three days. Lake Como had been everything I’d hoped for and more: tranquil, beautiful, and utterly unforgettable.

Leaving Lake Como felt bittersweet. It’s the kind of place that lingers in your soul long after you’ve left—its beauty etched into your memory, calling you back. Three days wasn’t enough, but I know one thing for sure: I'll be back.