During my part I series: "Best of the Italian Lakes" I was pleased to share with with you our three day journey to the beautiful lakes of Iseo, Garda, and parts of Como. For my encore visit I wanted take in the other half of the Italian Lakes (no pun intended) with a visit to the other side of Lake Como and beautiful Lake Maggiore.
Getting to either Lake Como or Lake Maggiore is an easy 30 to 90 minute trip by car from Milan in reasonable traffic. With their close proximity to Milan, it is no wonder that both Como and Maggiore are a popular destination for metro residents in the mood for a afternoon or half weekend getaway from the concrete jungle.
Located near the center of the lake, Stresa offers easy access to the Borromean Islands, a group of three small islands and two islets located in the western arm of the lake. We chartered a ferry to the two major islands: Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella. Isola dei Pescator with its fishing village is the only inhabited island in the archipelago. It boast numerous shops and restaurants and is quite "busy"! If scenery is what you're looking for, Isola Bella offers postcard snapshots of its 17th century palazzo and beautiful gardens. However, if privacy is your goal, then the tiny uninhabited rock of Malghera (dubbed "Lover's Island"), with an area of only 200 square meters, lies between Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori and offers bushy vegetation and a small private beach.
Travel about 19 km south of Stresa and you'll find the quite lakeside town of Arona. Despite what you may think, its main economic industry is tourism, especially from Milan, France and Germany. The Lungolago (or "Lakeside") offers beautiful views of Lake Maggiore as well as a fine view of the castle Borromeo on the opposite shore.
Situated at the crossroads of the "Y" shaped Lake Como, the town of Bellagio serves as a hub for ferry transports to opposite sides of the lake. It also offers fine dinning at a nearby lakeside beach club which is perfect for those slow weekend afternoons. But if you're looking for quiet walks surrounded by beautiful landscapes, then Villa Melzi d'Eril built in the 19th century with its English style gardens will supply your needs.
The comune of Cernobbio at the southwest part of Lake Como is only a mere 2 km from the town of Como. The easiest way to get there from Bellagio is by ferry to Cadenabbia then take via Statale 340 south. Once you get there, a visit to Villa d'Este is a must! The grounds surrounding the hotel are magnificent as well as the pool on the lake and listening to the live outdoor music.
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