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The nearby fashion mecca of Milan may grab the headlines.
Yet for those in the know, it is stunning Lake Como, barely 30 minutes away, that never goes out of style.
In 1818 the poet Shelley said the lake “exceeds anything I ever beheld in beauty”. That remains as true nearly two centuries on.
Little wonder that scenes from the Bond movie Casino Royale and the Star Wars epic Attack of the Clones were shot here. Or that photos in a restaurant on Lake Como’s only island, Comacina, show Lombardy’s star attraction has no difficulty in attracting stars such as Brad Pitt and Sylvester Stallone.
Meanwhile, Cernobbio, on the lake’s south-western tip, has Angelina Jolie, Sir Paul McCartney, Sharon Stone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Yves St Laurent among its fans. Visit Laglio a few kilometres away and you could even run into George Clooney, who owns an €8million villa there.
Property on Lake Como
No wonder average property prices around Lake Como are up 25 per cent in the past two years alone, making property for sale in this part of Italy– be it as a holiday villa or investment – a shrewd move indeed.
And the good news is that if you fancy a villa in Lake Como or the surrounding area, you don’t need a Hollywood star’s bank account.
A one or two-bedroom apartment with views of Lake Como can be found from €125,000.
A private villa with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a study, a lounge, kitchen and large garden with a fantastic view of the lake will cost €470,000.
Alternatively, if you would prefer to restore a property to your own tastes, you can find one from just €45,000.
Sights of Lake Como
It’s easy to see why people looking to buy property in Italy flock here. Lake Como – 56 square miles of calm water bordered by mountains, hills and woods – is a picture postcard of breathtaking beauty and tranquility.
It is Italy’s third largest, after Lakes Garda and Verbano, and – a quarter of a mile to the bottom in parts – one of Europe’s deepest.
Yet you do not have to delve deep to unearth its treasures. Practically every one of the 105 miles that makes up its coastline boasts a magnificent view.
Among the most famous is that from Bellagio, on the northern tip of the promontory that splits the water into two forked sections. It is dubbed la perla del lago (the pearl of the lake) and locals will tell you it is the most beautiful town in all Europe.
Walk along its steep, narrow cobbled streets; gaze at its stunning villas; or take the ferry to Menaggio on the west bank or Varenna on the east, the Alps rising majestically in front of you, and you would be hard pressed to disagree.
The city of Como is another must-see. Its Old Town boasts many fine examples of medieval architecture while the Giovio Archaeological Museum and Palazzo Olginati are a great place to learn about its past, from the iron and bronze ages, through the Roman era, to the present.
But you can also see its history all around. The remains of the Roman-era Pretoria Gate and walls that once surrounded the city are now mainly hidden underground.
After being destroyed by wars in the middle ages, most of Como was rebuilt adhering faithfully to the original Roman design. The 90ft high Tower Gate, the only gate still standing, offers a grand welcome to the city.
Also worth visiting are the 13th century Broletto building, now used for exhibitions, and the 15th century cathedral, which took 375 years to complete.
Como was the birthplace of scientist Alessandro Volta, who gave his name to the word Volt. The scientifically minded may be drawn to the Volta Temple, a museum housing some of his old instruments, or his tomb in nearby Camnago Volta.
For a dizzying view, take the funicular railway to Brunate, on a hill that overlooks Como. From there it is a short walk or bus ride to the Volta lighthouse in San Maurizio, from where you can see seven lakes and as far afield as the Alps and Switzerland.
Como’s main shopping thoroughfare has designer boutiques that would put Capri to shame. But the area is famous for its silk, so if you must take one item home with you, make sure that is it. For that special gift, try popping into the Silk Museum for ideas and then the Silk Factory School next door.
If you really fancy something stylish, try one of the regions best-kept secrets – the Armani factory store in nearby Vertemate, which has genuine new designer outfits at up to 70 per cent discounts.
There is also an Emporio Lario 1898 store in Cirimido, 10 minutes drive south of Como, with Jill Sanders and Lario footwear.
But Lake Como offers more than just shopping. It is also perfect hiking territory, especially around the villages in the mountains overlooking the lake, and many hiking paths are signposted.
A few miles north of Como lies Cernobbio, famed for its picturesque houses and the Villa D’Este, one of Europe’s most luxurious hotels, which boasts Italy’s only floating swimming pool.
The town was also the setting for the 1995 Uma Thurman film A Month by the Lake.
Tremezzo, Colico and Mandello del Lario are among some of the beautiful towns along the lakes shores.
One of the most charming is the fishing village of Varenna. It has the 800ft Fiumelatte (milk river), which runs into the lake – but only from March and October. It’s an enigma that baffled Leonardo da Vinci and remains a mystery to this day.
Possibly the best way to take in Lake Como’s delights is by water. Sedate steamers and faster ferries provide frequent links between the villages.
The dozens of imposing villas that lie around the lake were designed to be best appreciated from the water. Many of them have lavish gardens open to the public, such as Gianni Versace’s Villa Le Fontanelle in Moltrasio; the Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo; and Bellagio’s 19th century Villa Melzi d’Eril.
They are real havens of natural beauty. But then its only natural that so many visitors find Lake Como so enchanting.
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