Menaggio:
The picturesque town of Menaggio, which is located on the West bank of Lake Como, is home to 3,300 residents. In addition to the fantastic location, the mild climate is a draw for many vacationers. Many return to appreciate the oldest hostels and villas, which date back to the 19th century. There are possibilities to enjoy a wide variety of excursions, including walking in the mountains or along the seaside, golfing and visiting the beaches and swimming areas.
Cremia:
The small, old Italian village of Cremia is 7 km north of Menaggio. From Menaggio, as well as Cremia, there are many hiking trails, tours and boat excursions available. The distance to the nearest beach is only 1 kilometer. In the Italian villages, there are many opportunities to find good, typical, local restaurants, small shops and the charms of Italy. Fantastic panoramas as well as dazzling lake views will convince you.
Surroundings-Trips:
Take the time to visit the beautiful historic buildings and botanical gardens around Lake Como - such as Villa Carlotta, extremely photogenic, featuring romantic statuary and lush gardens; Villa Ballbianello, a film location recently seen in Casino Royale, the latest James Bond movie. Italian National Trust property since 1988, the villa hosts a great collection of art, antique furniture & carpets. The gardens are also delightful and are open to visitors. In Varenna, a short ferry ride from Menaggio are two more stunning properties, Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi - both have beautiful gardens that are open to the public between April - October. In Bellagio you can be taken on guided tours around Villa Serbelloni, a property owned by the Rockefella Foundation since 1959. The lakes of Como & Lugano offer the most scenic spots in all of Italy. Ferries carry passengers across there shimmering waters from town to town one of the main attractions of visiting the Lake.
Ski:
This region of Italy is not the best for skiing as you may imagine, despite its hills and local mountains. It does however have Skiing opportunities at local resorts for a day out. There is a small ski area on Mt. Lema which is not more than 10 km from Lugano, but you have to be lucky to have enough snow for skiing. In Ticino, the local Swiss Canton, the best places to ski are probably either San Bernardino (south of the pass of the same name) or Airolo (south of Gotthard pass). Both are reachable in about 1 hour by car across the Swiss border. There are direct trains to Airolo as well from Lugano and hence from Italian Stations. To S. Bernardino there is only a bus connection. For more snow try Andermatt (on the north side of Gotthard pass) which has normally good snow conditions and a good choice of runs. Moving back into Italy the nearest serious ski resorts St Moritz or Madesimo which are again over an hour and 1.5 hours drive, once you get the Lakeside.
Golf:
There is the splendid Menaggio and Cadenabbia Golf Club with its 18 holes, one of the oldest golf clubs in Europe. Golf Club Menaggio: (Menaggio Como) Tel. 0344/32103 , 18 holes, par 70 – founded in 1907. Greenfee: Weekdays € 50.00; Sundays and Public Holidays: € 65.00.
