Bellagio
is called the Pearl of the Lake (La Perla). It’s
chic, friendly and relaxed. It sits at the center of the
lake (Como) on the tip of the promontory (surrounded by
water on 3 sides) — it feels like an island. You
can see the hills and villas to the west and the cliffs
to the east. The Basilica di San Giacomo is an
11th century church in Romanesque-Lombard style.
Inside there are mosaics and paintings. The Chiesa
di San Giorgio is an 11th century Romanesque
church with frescoes on the ceiling and fine walnut carvings.
On Piazza Mazzini, which is on the waterfront there
are boutiques, hotels, cafes and restaurants. I particularly
enjoy a boat trip on the lake stopping in at villas, gardens
and small lake ports on market days (check at your hotel
for tours like this — we came down for breakfast
and our hostess mentioned it to us — and off we went).
The Villa Melzi and Villa Serbelloni are
nearby and are well worth a visit. Others in the area
are Villa Carlotta and Villa Cipressi. On
my departure (heading for the Milano Airport) I ferried
across the lake which saved me lots of time getting to
the airport and to some of the towns on the lake —
smooth and easy.
