Benefiting from a great location in the pretty village of Fiumelatte, just a short walk from the famous resort town of Varenna, this property is ideal for those wanting to be close to one of the ‘Golden Triangle’ towns on Lake Como.
Fiumelatte: The apartment is in the village of Fiumelatte, part of the beautiful town of Varenna, just 1 km away on the Eastern shore of Lake Como. The property has been designed to take full advantage of the lakes premier view of the 'Golden Triangle' (Bellagio, Menaggio and Varenna).
Varenna:
Varenna is the place to get away from it all, but also be in touch with the rest of the Lake. For the romantics, the historians or for those who love peace, tranquility and a history that goes back thousands of years this is the place.Varenna is an ancient fishing village with close to 1000 residents spread along a steep hillside overlooking Lake Como.
Varenna, built on a rock at the foot of a mountain is a boat stop from Bellagio on the east side of the lake and though popular it escapes the throngs in Bellagio (undeniably lovely, but like many other undeniably lovely places the crowds, higher prices and ‘tourist trap’ experiences can be very trying). Varenna dates from the 5th century - you can still see in places the original Roman layout of the town: a geometric design which allows wonderful views of the lake.
The reds, terracottas and yellows of its houses, its mild climate and the olive and cypress trees make you wonder whether you aren’t 200km further south. After the nearby island of Comancina was destroyed the population increased and flourished. The warring factions, as with much of Lombardy saw Varenna at odds with Como on many occasions and the rule of Varenna pass in typical Italian family tradition from the Visconti family to the Sfondrati's. Today Varenna is a lovely spot to chill out, although be aware that shops and even restaurants have been known to shut for lunch, so expect the better things in life to take longer.
Varenna is one of the most beautiful towns on the lake, its steep winding alleys lined with charming homes, flowering balconies and lace-curtained windows. In the evenings, the village is serene and picturesque. Truly a perfect place for relaxing. This is an understatement! The warmth of the locals combined with the perfect setting of the place, would melt the coldest hearts of the most demanding travellers.
Looking down on Varenna is the ancient Castle of Vezio; where Theodolinda, Queen of the Lombards, is said to have died in the 7th century. Today, you can enjoy Falconry displays, the tower which is accessible, thanks to a drawbridge and the underground passages dating back to the First World War. The panoramic views are fabulous from the castle & there is also a restaurant where you can enjoy local cuisine. There are also numerous well marked hiking paths around Castello Vezio.
This old fishing village has several very interesting shops; from local butchers to craft shops and bars, as well as many restaurants ranging from simple but fabulous pizzerias and trattorias, to elegant dining experiences with lake views. Varenna offers excellent rail links to Milan & Venice! Plus there are ferry links to all the gorgeous villages & towns along Lake Como's shores; it makes a great base for exploring the area.
Lombardy - Lake Como Area:
The Italian Lakes are a little slice of paradise. Elegant ribbons of blue water stretch out ahead, folded into the sun-baked foothills, with a spectacular back drop of the snow-capped Alps.
Lake Como offers hidden treasures just waiting for the visitor to discover them: charming corners forgotten by time, lakeside villages where nothing seems to have changed for centuries.
It is steeped in history with an immense collection of churches, architectural masterpieces and works of art covering the centuries. The lake is situated in a basin surrounded by wooded mountains, and offers an extremely varied landscape, with its' shores featuring a succession of pastures, and woods as well as harsh and impressive rock formations.
All this alongside elegant, lakeside villas with sub-tropical gardens, which provide a haven of peace and tranquillity and chic resorts such as Varenna, Bellagio, Menaggio and Como itself.
Warming, in spriing and graced with natural beauty, the lakes are still a place to draw breath and wonder. Lake Como, oriented north-south, ringed by characterful old villages often wedged onto narrow beaches between rugged cliffs and water. Those classic lake images of flower strewn balconies, Baroque gardens and splendid waterside villas can be found here in abundance. Dotted around and between the lakes are some of Italy's finest art cities, such as Milan, Verona & Bergamo.
The most romantic and picturesque villages on the lake are Santa Maria Rezzonico, Varenna (15 min by ferry) & Bellagio (8 min by ferry), Lenno (visit Villa Balbianello, location for 007's Casino Royale as well as Villa Gaeta, right here in Menaggio) & Laglio (where George Clooney owns Villa Oleandra).
