In Northern Italy, bordered by the Alps, lies one of the most coveted yet surprisingly unassuming vacation destinations in the world. Taking the shape of an inverted “Y,” Lake Como features a sumptuous trail of picturesque towns along its shores, its two arms— Como to the west, Lecco to the east—meeting in the town of Bellagio.
In the early mornings, an eerie mist—perhaps the source of Lake Como’s alluring old- fashioned mystique—hangs suspended over the lake’s surface. As the sun rises, the magnificent gardens of Villa d’Este, Passalacqua and Villa del Balbianello come to life, the fragrant greenery of cypress and oak trees tickling the senses, as if you’ve stepped into the pages of Italy’s most famous novel, Alessandro Manzoni’s The Betrothed (1827), set in Lake Como. After a day spent enjoying scenic walks, lazing lakeside on the floating swimming pool at the Mandarin Oriental or relishing in the rich traditions reminiscent of times past, perhaps you’ll be whisked away across the glittering lake in a luxurious Riva boat, destined to cross paths with local villa owner George Clooney. In Lake Como Idyll, a magical Italian getaway awaits, complete with romantic intrigue, bucolic escapes and enchanting landscapes.