Travelinformation by Rosa Maria Lamberti

Not in the mood for surfing or hiking on Lake Como?

Cari amici, dear Lake Como friends, maybe sometimes you are not in the mood for hiking, surfing, crawling or swimming during your Lake Como holidays. In this case I recommend you a scenic, particularly charming car ride over the winding road (SP 583) from Como to Bellagio.

Torno at the foot of Mount Bisbone

Right behind Como you reach the small village of Torno at the foot of Mount Bisbone. In earlier centuries silk was also produced and processed in Torno like in many other places on Lake Como .

It is worthwhile to stop and descend to the picturesque village. Take a leisurely stroll down the romantic, narrow, interlaced alleyways with their special flair, which lead you down to the small harbor. You will be carried back to earlier times.

The two churches of the village date back to the 6th and 13th centuries. The older church, San Giovanni, houses in its interior many interesting and well-preserved frescoes.

Villa Pliniana

If you drive from Torno about 2 km in the direction of Bellagio, you reach Villa Pliniana. The impressive building from the 16th century is located below the road, directly on the lake shore, near a waterfall that falls from a height of about 70 meters into Lake Como.

Villa Pliniana is famous for its intermittent wellspring, which rises in the yard in a grotto and flows into Lake Como. Already Pliny and Leonardo da Vinci were fascinated by this mysterious natural phenomenon, which gives the scientists riddles, up to the present.

Over the centuries, the majestic villa has housed many famous guests, including Napoleon, Stendhal, Byron, Winston Churchill and many others.

The villa, with its adjoining buildings, has been restored for almost 30 years, according to historical plans. Today it is one of the most exclusive luxury hotels on Lake Como.
Well amici, how about to spend the night in a luxury suite?

Orrido di Nesso

If you decide differently and continue your trip to Bellagio, you will pass the narrowest point of Lago di Como at Careno, being only 650 meters wide.

A little further at Nesso you find the deepest point of the Como Lake with 425 meter. You should stop here because this picturesque medieval town has yet another special feature – the Orrido di Nesso.

The river Nose falls as a roaring, rushing waterfall over high ledges into the depth.

A small bridge from Roman times, the Ponte della Civera offers the best views on this natural phenomenon.

Lezzeno on Lake Como

Lezzeno is the last village before you reach Bellagio. The town has a length of approximately 7 kilometers and consists of a total of 17 districts, winding up into the mountains. According to legend, Lezzeno was once a shelter for witches.
They enchanted all the young men of the place, so that they fell in immortal love with the witches.

A walk along the Via Crucis takes you past 14 chapels to the church of Santa Trinità.
On the lakeshore you will find the shipyard of Erio Matteri. He is worldwide known as one of the best restorers for wooden boats, especially for nostalgic Riva boats.

Bellagio, the pearl of Lake Como

Only a few kilometers more and you have reached Bellagio, the pearl of Lake Como. You will fell in love immediately with this charming town with its indescribably flair.

Go for a stroll along the elegant promenade or the park of the famous Villa Melzi. Explore the steep, cobbled steps of the alleyways.

Enjoy a delicious meal in one of the many hotel restaurants or take an espresso under the shaded arcades. Rent a motorboat or go on a city tour with the nostalgic Bellagio Express.

Bellagio has so much to offer that it would go beyond the scope of this blog article to report all the details. I will tell you more about Bellagio in one of my next articles.

Enjoy the late summer days on Lake Como.

Tanti saluti e a presto
Rosa Maria Lamberti