Lake Como- Italy
Airing Date: Sep 15th, 2007
Authors and poets have long written about the stunning beauty of Lake Como, Italy and many a film director has taken advantage of its picturesque locations.
It was a favoured retreat of the Romans some 2000 years ago and today, tourists continue to flock to its waters, villas, gardens and villages. Then, of course, there's George Clooney who owns a villa on the lake. But Mr Clooney certainly wasn't the first celebrity to fall in love with Lake Como.
The guest list of Lake Como's most exclusive hotel, Villa d'Este, provides evidence of the area's long history of enchanting the rich and famous. Once owned by an English Queen, and visited by a Russian Empress, sultans and cardinals, more recently it has accommodated everyone from Paul McCartney to Brad Pitt.
Further North is the 'Pearl of the Lake', the town of Bellagio, nestled in the junction of the lake's 3 branches. It offers more than 17 hotels, 35 Restaurants, 20 Bars & 150 shops and is said to be the most picturesque village on the lake.
From there you can hop on board Bellagio Water Taxis for a leisurely tour of the lake and some of its highlights, one of which is the spectacular villa and gardens of the truly jaw-dropping Villa del Balbianello.
Also worth a visit is the unique restaurant Locanda dell' isola Comacina, located on Lake Como's only island. Here nothing has changed on the menu since 1947 and a fixed price 5 course meal is served to all diners. The signature drink is a coffee and brandy concoction mixed during the "exorcism of fire". Drinking this concoction at the end of the meal is said to ensure a safe passage back to the mainland.. ready for further exploration of this magical destination.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Thai Airways return to Milan- From: $1752 ex west coast; $1860 ex east coast. For more information visit:
www.thaiairways.com.au Prices correct at 24/7/07. Prices include surcharges, fees & taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.
CIT Holidays- Visit
www.citholidays.com.au or call
1300 36 1500 for more information on planning your dream holiday!
Hotel Belvedere, Bellagio, Lake Como- Twin share from $304 per room, per night. Including Continental Breakfast.
Suites from $891 per suite per night . Valid for stays from 1/10/07. Including taxes.
Bellagio Water Taxis- 2.5 hour Group tours to the Villa del Balbianello from $69.45pp. Private one hour lake tours from $215pp. For more information, visit
www.bellagiowatertaxis.comVilla d'Este- Accommodation from $1195 per night. Visit
www.villadeste.com for more information.
Villa del Balbianello- Garden only entry from $8.25pp. Guided tours of the Garden & Villa from $18pp. For more information, visit:
www.fondoambiente.it/enItalian Government Tourist Office- PO Box Q802 - QVB NSW 1230, Level 4, 46 Market Street,
Sydney NSW 2000. Or phone
02 9262 1666 Fax:
02 9262 1677 or Email
italia@italiantourism.com.au
