Small, serene and elegantly honed, the village of Bellagio is set in the scenic surroundings of Lake Como, in northern Italy’s Lombardy region, and bustles with life and energy.
From the airport at Bergamo, a hair-raising 90-minute drive to Bellagio meant plummeting coastlines but terrific views; tranquil blue waters, mountainous terrain and the odd fast car coming the other way, pushing me dangerously close to the edge.
I arrived safely at the Villa Melzi apartments. The neoclassical Villa Melzi with its waterside gardens were discovered by Francesco Melzi d’Eril, once Vice President of the Italian Republic under Napoleon, in 1810, and became his residence at the end of his political career.
Maria, the hotel owner, greeted me warmly before escorting me to ‘Sophia’, the authentically styled apartment I would be staying in for 3 nights. Inside stood prominent dark wood furnishings and decadent accessories including plush velvet cushions embroidered with gold thread and bronze pillar candle sticks, intrinsic to their surroundings.
Ahead of the creaky shutters, stood front row seats to Lake Como. Shimmering in the sunlight, the view took my breath away… here lay Lake Como in all its glory.
I walked through the graceful gardens of Villa Melzi. Running alongside the lapping waters of Lake Como lie lush green grass, perfectly preened trees lining the neat walkways and steep cobbled steps leading to ornate stone benches, perfect for sitting and admiring the lake’s famous panorama.
The Villa Melzi apartments sit just outside the gardens and are only a romantic 10-minute stroll through the gardens into picture-postcard perfect Bellagio.
I walked for hours exploring the stylish promenade, amazed by the pastel-tinged facades and steep cobbled alleys. I sampled the gloriously sweet Sicilian Cannoli from Bar Pasticceria Rossi, one of the oldest cafés in Bellagio, and tasted the rich truffle pasta from waterfront restaurant Terrazzo Metropole. I even witnessed paparazzi trying to catch a glimpse of Italy’s rich and famous.
A trip on Bellagio’s trackless train presented the perfect opportunity to view the century-old buildings and picturesque vineyards surrounding the village. A local boat trip also allowed me to appreciate the beauty of Bellagio from a far, where it sat peacefully amongst the snow-capped mountains and serene waters of Lake Como.
I hope one day to return, but for now I feel lucky to have discovered bello Bellagio and all that it has to offer. For those of you seeking peace and solitude, I cannot think of a better location.