3 Luxurious Days in Lake Como

Day pass to a hotel sports club with a floating pool

As I was staying at the Villa d’Este, I was able to take advantage of theirs—it was incredible to be on the water while floating in a pool, sipping on an aperol spritz, and watching glamorous people in boats speed by.

Enjoy a treatment at the Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como Wellness Spa

Nothing beats this spa experience. Along side getting an unforgettable spa treatment, the spa features a whirlpool, an ice pool, a saline bath, a Finnish sauna, and a steam bath. There is also a gorgeous garden you can wander around in between treatments

4–6hr private boat tour on the lake

We booked a Riva Aquarama for 4hrs (€3,500) which was perfect for a group of five. 4–6hrs allows you to see a vast amount of the lake and take pauses to enjoy a selection of finger food and champagne.

• See Orrido di Nesso (waterfall) and Villa del Balbianello from lake view—can dock and walk around if desired.

• Get dropped off at local towns for a spot of lunch: Bellagio or Varenna.

• Bellagio is seen as the jewel of Lake Como, but it has become incredibly touristy. It’s worth having a stroll through the small steep cobblestone streets, stopping for an afternoon espresso shot, but I wouldn’t spend the majority of your time there. I was excited to do some shopping for silk and leather items and found myself disappointed with the authenticity of the stores. We had lunch at Ristorante La Punta, which was nice, and had an incredible view, but wasn’t our favorite spot on the lake.

• Varenna, on the other hand, has a more romantic small town feel that feels authentically lived in. We just strolled around the streets exploring and seeing what life is like by the lake.

Dinner at Villa d’Este’s Veranda with a night cap at the hotel bar, Bar Canova, listening to the live music

The restaurant is stunning inside, overlooking the water—I loved the how the walls and ceiling were covered in a royal blue and gold tapestry—amazing combination with the lake as the backdrop. Have to order the Banana Foster—prepared tableside with an impressive show. The bar is small and intimate with an impressive whiskey collection and paired with a live pianist

Stroll through the extensive villa gardens

Couple of favorites: Villa del Balbianello & Villa Carlotta. These gardens are manicured to perfection. When we visited they were a touch crowded, as we were there in Spring, but they are truly stunning and worth it. It was a nice change of pace from browsing storefronts and allowed us to slow down and take in the beauty of the lake. Everything is so lush and green—any picture taken feels fake.

Kitchen

If you’re a food lover, you have to try it. Seasonal tasting menus with garden-to-table ingredients. Instead of being on the lake, the restaurant is tucked away in a gorgeous private garden offering a different perspective to Lake Como dining. The food was incredible and I wish I had taken a picture of every bottle of wine from the pairing.

Veranda, Villa d’Este

Felt like I was taken back in time—the ambiance of the restaurant with the view was breathtaking and the impeccable food was the bonus.

Ristorante Mistral

Like Veranda, the restaurant gives old-world Italian glamour with one of the most gorgeous dining rooms I’ve ever seen. Another elevated and refined option with incredible views of the lake - great for a special occasion meal!

Ristorante Acquadolce

Such a romantic spot. A touch more casual in the ambiance than the above, but still refined with direct lake access. If the weather is nice, the restaurant becomes fully alfresco dining with the glass walls pulled open. The food was more contemporary than other restaurants we tried, which was a fun change.

Harry’s Bar Cernobbio

Best place to go when you’re burnt out on fine dining but still want something great. Classic Italian dishes cooked to perfection. Great people watching if sat on the patio and can then wander around the town Cernobbio. Have to try their Peach Bellinis!