Lake Como: Best Holiday Destinations in Europe for Rest and Relaxation

Soaking up the atmosphere on the edge of Lake Como in Italy has to be one of the most pleasant ways one can spend a summer evening in Europe. Sinking back into your chair and sipping on a cold beer or glass of fine Italian wine is hard to beat in such stunning natural surroundings, and as the evening draws in you’ll find that your mind starts to wander as you listen to the gentle lapping of the waters and take in the true beauty of this fantastic natural feature. There are numerous great little cafes and wine bars to explorer along the banks of Lake Como that all give you that great sense of rustic and traditional Italy.

Feast out on great Italian foods such as pasta, pizzas fresh fish dishes and delicious grilled meat and vegetables in the many great restaurants that span across the banks of the lake. It’s hard not to feel relaxed in such a great holiday destination as this, and if you need to take time out to unwind then this is a great place to do it. Although not a cheap place to visit (unlike many of the places I have been backpacking and covered on this blog), a trip to Lake Como is one that is truly unique and is undoubtedly one of the best holiday destinations Europe has to offer - particularly if you are looking for a quick week away with your partner.

Italy Travel - Como: It's not just a pit stop on Lake Como

Most tourists come and go through Como on the their way to other destinations on Lake Como. But we think Como itself is worth a day or so. The architecture is beautiful, there are museums and obviously theatre (Turandot was being performed while we were in Como), high fashion without the high price tags, lively caffés and wine bars at night, and chefs very willing to prepare dishes you want for items not on the menu.

Traveller's Tip Repeat -- in early October, a cashmere sweater is a necessity when the brisk wind blows off the lake.

Lake Como - Italy Fashion 2009 Alert

Fashion update. In Como, an hour or so north of Milan, the fashion capital of the world, everything has turned purple. For women, for men, even for babies in carriages.

Close Encounters of the Como Kind

At our hotel's front door, we caught a bus to Como, with the intentions of renting a car. But after scraping by buildings, trees, other buses, winding around curves, cars backing up to make room, having cars pass our bus on the narrowest ''2''-lane road at speeds too hight to calculate, we decided we weren't driving.

We have driven most everywhere in Italy, but Como, like Capri, is not for the faint of heart.

So we spent the day in Como, a beautiful city on the lake, high-fashion shopping, fantastic museums and churches, and a 10-star lunch of risotto and of veal cutlets alla Milanese.

Then back to Cadenabbia by hydrfoil: no stress, and best of all, without a scratch.

Traveler's Tip -- cashmere scarves saved the day, as the mountain tops around Como received their first snow. Early for snow the locals tell us [October 3rd].

Lake Como Ferry-Go-Round: Bellagio, Menaggio, Varenna, Lenno, Tremezzo

We puchased an all-day ferry pass.

Then we started our ferry-go-round on the central part of Lake Como., beginning at Cadenabbia, where we are staying, on to Bellagio, where we lunched and shopped, then to Varenna, for an espresso, around to Lenno, where we walked, and on to Menaggio, where we shopped again and sipped a local red wine, Sassella. Menaggio captured our hearts.

Our last stop will be Tremezzo for dinner.

Such is day on a ferry-go-round in Lake Como.

Cadenabbia, Italy Right Now - October 2008 Lake Como and the Lakes Tour

Trains, boats, and planes. When we get to Italy, we'll be on a plane, a train, and a boat. Rome > Milan > Cadenabbia on Lake Como.

Join us for our travels to the Lake Country bodering the Alps, by train to Florence, by train to Rome, and train and car to Montalcino. Stay tuned.

It's a challenge to pack for 23 days in Italy in a 24 X 16 carry-on and a tastefuly large handbag, but incredebly liberating. Contents include 2 pair of black pants, a black dress, a body-hunging black skirt, a black cashmere sweater, a black cashmere sweater-wrap, several camisoles, and 1, repeat, 1 pair of comfortable evening shoes, a cashmere scarf, 1 pair earrings for day and a smashing pair for night, and one of your nicer necklaces, and that's it for jewelry.

How to streamline cosmetics. I'll be travelling to 5 different areas. The first day in each city, I have my hair washed and styled, thus eliminating packing any hair products, and I look and feel great. And I bring that which needs to be cleaned to the local lavanderia. By the way, your clothes will never be so pampered.

Hint. If you don't check a bag, you are ready for any flight cancellation - just take your bag and you are first in line at the substitute flight.

My 1 pet peeve: I bring my own airline-size down pillow and mini-size cashmere blanket. I am prepared for any uncomfortable terminal, any plane, any train, or hotel. When I am on vacation, it's all about me feeling good and the elimination of stress.

We are ready to board.