Thursday, August 15, 2024
Studying Time: 4 minutes
Discover Lake Como’s beautiful surroundings and celeb allure with out breaking the financial institution. Uncover inexpensive methods to expertise this picturesque Italian vacation spot.
Northern Italy’s Lake Como is a favourite amongst stars like George Clooney, however you may be shocked at how budget-friendly this beautiful vacation spot might be. Right here’s an insider’s information to having fun with this scenic nook of Italy with out breaking the financial institution.
Lake Como is legendary for its glowing blue waters, lavish villas, and charming villages the place celebrities like Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, and Amal and George Clooney attempt to escape the paparazzi. Nonetheless, you don’t should be a Hollywood star or a billionaire to savor the fantastic thing about this picturesque, mountain-framed lake.
Over the previous decade, my household has spent many summers at Lake Como, uncovering quite a few methods to get pleasure from its allure with out overspending. As an example, staying farther from the lakeshore and making the most of free or low-cost actions resembling climbing, museum visits, and biking will help you save.
Skip the Excessive-Profile Spots
Lake Como, which is a one to two-hour drive from Milan, has a definite upside-down Y form. The drive from Como on the southern tip of the western department to Colico on the northern finish takes simply over an hour.
Well-liked lakeside locations embody Lecco, a small metropolis on the southern tip of the japanese department; the city of Bellagio, positioned on the Y’s fork; and Varenna, a village on the japanese shore. These spots are likely to have the most costly lodging and eating choices. To stretch your funds, contemplate staying in lesser-known cities and villages as a substitute.
Go for Guesthouses and Agritourism Stays
Guesthouses, typically extra inexpensive than lodges, could not have all of the luxuries, however they provide genuine experiences and welcoming hosts.
About an hour north of Como, Le Radici Agriturismo offers cozy lodging on a hillside farm, the place a lot of the meals served in its restaurant is grown. Rooms, obtainable from April to October, begin at €90 per night time, together with breakfast.
Close to Menaggio, a farm that raises its personal pork and trout affords double rooms with breakfast from €60. It’s conveniently positioned close to Parco Val Sanagra, the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from a simple hike earlier than returning for a lunch of freshly caught fish.
In Colico, an enthralling double room with a lake view begins round €98, whereas rooms at a classy bed-and-breakfast begin at €110. Each are inside strolling distance of two public seashores.
Escape the Crowds
To keep away from the bustling crowds in Como, Lecco, Varenna, and Bellagio, contemplate heading to a picturesque spot like Tremezzina. A ferry journey, with fares various by distance, affords views of the lake, mountains, and piazzas which might be simply as breathtaking as these from a yacht—and typically there’s a bar on board.
As soon as there, stroll alongside the Greenway, a six-mile path winding from the village of Colonno via farms, over streams, previous gelato outlets, cafes, and cobblestone alleys, all the way in which to Griante. Alternatively, hire a motorbike—common or electrical—from close by outlets and discover at your personal tempo.
You don’t want a five-star resort to get pleasure from a five-star seashore. Many cities, together with Bellagio, Lenno, and Lecco, have public seashores. Merely ask locals to level you to a “spiaggia libera,” or free seashore.
Spiaggia di Lierna, one of many lake’s finest public seashores, is a 30-minute prepare journey from Lecco. Right here, you’ll be able to take a refreshing dip within the clear waters or hire a catamaran. Close by, Riva Bianca Bar Pizzeria affords pizzas for as little as €6.
In Colico, Spiaggia di Piona is a tranquil, grassy seashore nestled in a secluded bay. Close by climbing trails of various problem supply beautiful views of the lake, the traditional Piona Abbey, and the Del Risti vineyard, which affords excursions and tastings paired with native cheeses and chilly cuts. Guide on-line for €48 per particular person; the vineyard offers a minibus from the seashore.
Whereas the lake is the principle attraction, the encircling mountains supply hikes for all ranges of adventurers.
Sentiero Spirito del Bosco, or Spirit of the Woods Path, in Canzo close to Lecco, is a simple, enjoyable path taking about an hour. It’s lined with whimsical picket sculptures of animals and legendary creatures like elves and gnomes.
Alongside the path, two farms, Agriturismo in Valentina and Rifugio Terz’Alpe, invite hikers to get pleasure from rustic meals that includes home made cheese, salami, polenta, and a singular native buckwheat pasta referred to as pizzoccheri. A meal for 2 at both place, with two most important programs and a cheese plate, prices between €25 and €30.
For individuals who desire to skip the hike and go straight for the views, Lake Como affords varied funiculars and cable automobiles. One ascends about 1,600 toes from Como to Brunate each half-hour till midnight, costing €6.60 round-trip.
In Lecco, the Piani d’Erna Funivia cable automotive takes you 2,600 toes as much as a grassy mountaintop with sweeping views of the lake. Close by, the journey park Parco Avventura affords ropes programs, zip traces, and extra. Cable automotive tickets begin at €12 round-trip, and park entry begins at €12, relying on what number of routes you select.
Villa del Balbianello and its surrounding gardens in Tremezzina boast a wealthy historical past courting again tons of of years. Initially constructed for a cardinal within the 18th century, the villa was later owned by Guido Monzino, a rely who led Italy’s first expedition to the summit of Mount Everest. The Neoclassical villa, now managed by the Nationwide Belief of Italy, homes artwork and artifacts collected by Monzino, together with
an 18th-century Venetian globe, Inuit ivory carvings, and the sled he used to achieve the North Pole in 1971. The villa, featured in movies like “Casino Royale” and “Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones,” is one among Lake Como’s high points of interest. Admission, which features a 45-minute tour, is €24 for adults. Be sure you guide your go to on-line properly prematurely.
