“And Como, ye have left your beauty with me.” William Wordsworth
“When you write the story of two happy lovers, let the story be set on the banks of Lake Como”. Franz Liszt
“This lake exceeds anything I have ever beheld in beauty”. Percy Bysshe Shelley
Lake Como
by Judy Bereza, Guest Blogger
For centuries the rich and the famous, poets and writers, and very recently, two garden loving
tourists were lucky enough to experience all that Lake Como and Lake Maggiore have to offer.
We traveled with a small group of fellow garden-loving enthusiasts. led by two energetic, charming, and knowledgeable guides, who own the travel company and specialize in custom garden tours. You may think, one garden after another, maybe not. However, if the tour includes 5 star hotels, cooking lessons, wine and cheese tastings, exclusive private dinners at star rated restaurants, and all tours accessed by private boat, well then, let’s go!
Italian Gardens
The main attraction, of course were the gardens themselves. Italian gardens feature symmetry,
fountains, formal paths, geometric beds, hedges and walls. These elements were present in all the
gardens we visited. Although flowers were not traditionally prominent in Italian Gardens, now
there are flowers everywhere, for every season.
Villa Balbianello
We loved then all, but like most garden lovers, we had our favorites. The most memorable garden for us was at the Villa Balbianello. Ironically, that was the only morning we needed umbrellas to tour
the garden. However, the mist and the low floating clouds intensified the different colors of
green, and the gentle, drizzling sound around us gave the whole garden a mystical element.
The garden and villa, dating from the 13th century, also has some current celebrity. It has been used as a movie set numerous times, including Casino Real and Star Wars.
Villa Melzi
The other garden that captivated us was the garden at the Villa Melzi. We were bowled over by the trees; incredible specimens from all over the world. The garden rings the edge of the lake, so almost every view is framed by the
water.
George Clooney’s Villa
Like all the other tourists, we wanted to see George Clooney’s villa. Since we were touring by
boat, we were able to rubberneck and photo the villa. Not possible on land, since the paparazzi
are not allowed near the estate, and the locals are nonplussed. Probably one of the reasons he
loves it here.
The only problem with describing the Lake Como and Lake Maggiore experience is running out
of superlatives. If you add perfect weather, which we almost achieved, you just sigh and
echo William Wordsworth’s sentiment.
Katie and John Kosta owners of Huron Tours and Travel. https://www.huronvalleytravel.com
Judy Bereza is a retired interior designer/kitchen expert, constant walker and “Nana” to five adorable grand children. With friends she has hiked in Wales, Cornwall, Switzerland, Smokey Mountain National Park, Ireland and California.
Occasionally she veers off the trail to explore a different kind of travel adventure that includes her husband and/or her daughter and grand daughter.
