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Bellagio is one of the most popular towns on the lake. It is the most characteristic town and is known as the ‘Pearl of the Lake’. The staircases, the view, the architecture; it’s all so ‘Dolce Vita Style’ .
There are lots of nice boutiques around where guests can enjoy buying traditional souvenirs or Italian branded clothes and accessories. After all Italy is the capital of fashion!
If people are staying in Bellagio these are the main 5 things that they should do:
1. Visit Villa Melzi
If you love nature, plants, flowers, history and art these gardens are absolutely gorgeous. You could take a really nice walk from the main entrance and proceed to the very end and walk out from the Loppia area where you could have lunch/ dinner at Ristorante Alle Darsene di Loppia. You can also decide to take a guided tour to discover the history and tales and visit the museum as well. The place has a neoclassical style and it is even more gorgeous in Spring when all the Camellias are blooming. If you are an art lover there are also some artistic workshops that you can book.
2. A boat ride is a MUST!
You can either hire your own boat and go around the lake with your family or on a romantic gateway. There are many many companies that hire boats and you do not need a boat license as the boats that you hire do not have a big engine. You can decide whether you would like to have it just for few hours or the whole day. This is definitely the best and fastest way to discover the lake.
If you do not feel comfortable going by yourselves, you can always book a guided tour with one of their boats. They will go around the most popular spots and you can view from the lake Villa Del Balbianello, Villa Carlotta, Villa La Cassinella, Villa Balbiano and of course Clooney’s villa!
You can also decide to sail away in Lake Como. You can hire a sailing boat with your captain and have some nice prosecco on board…. Want to make it more romantic? Hire it by sunset and if you are still not married then this is the time to pop the question!
Here are some companies that you can contact:
www.boathirebellagio.com
www.bellagiocharter.com
http://www.bellagiorentaboat.com
www.bellagiosailing.com
3. Water Sports anyone?
Have a walk to the lovely Pescallo, a little fishermen village (20 minutes walk from the centre). You will not feel the walk because everything around you is just so breathtaking! Once you reach Pescallo you can view the little village and you can enjoy some water sports activities like kayaking. They organise guided tours as well where you can reach Grand Hotel Serbelloni. This should take around 90 minutes.
For more info please have a look at the website below:
4. Relax and swim at Lido di Bellagio
If you instead just want to relax and enjoy the sun and the Lake Como vibes, you can go to the beach club of the Lido di Bellagio. A sandy beach right by the lake. Aperol Spritz please? Enjoy your Italian cocktail right by the lake!
This place is also great at aperitif time which for us Italians is around 7 pm.
By night time on weekends this place turns into a disco. You can definitely enjoy some partying here as well!
5. Learn to cook like a real Italian!
What better place to take a cooking class? This is definitely a fun experience. The Chef Luigi Gandola will be waiting for you in Bellagio to take you to his restaurant ‘Salice Blue’. After being greeted with a nice Espresso or Cappuccino you can view his ‘orto’ and all his vegetable and herbs that he has in his backyard. You can then begin your cooking experience and taste what you have cooked!
If you are here in the Truffle season (September/October) then I advise the truffle picking trip. You will be walking with the Chef and your group in the forest in search of truffles and mushrooms. After the picking you will return to the kitchen where you will learn some techniques for using and preserving mushrooms and truffles and then enjoy an amazing lunch!
Leave one day of your trip to hop on a ferry and go visit VARENNA! It is the second most popular town on the lake and definitely needs to be seen!
www.ristorante-saliceblu-bellagio.it
With love,
X
Zaira
