Villa Balbianello

“Located in the municipality of Tremezzo, Villa Carlotta is one of the most important and well known villas of the Lake, not far from Villa del Balbianello. The villa, built in 1960 at the behest of Giorgio Clerici, has passed over the centuries from the Clerici heirs to the Sommariva family and finally to the Saxonian Meiningen family who lived there until 1914. In 1927 the management passed to the Ente Villa Carlotta, after long vicissitudes and thanks to the intervention of the lawyer Giuseppe Bianchini, supported by the Rotary Club of Milan. The Ente Villa Carlotta has kept the Villa perfectly and has opened to the public an important museum, the result of the legacy of Giambattista Sommariva, second owner of the Villa and an art collector. Among the famous works on display are: Palamede, Musa Tersicore and Maddalena Penitente by Antonio Canova, The last kiss given to Giulietta by Romeo by Francesco Hayez, The Entrance of Alexander the Great into Babylon by Bertel Thorvaldsen. The whole complex extends over to 70,000 m2 (17 acres) area of gardens and museum. You can reach Villa Carlotta by car or on foot easily because it is located on the Regina road that runs along the lake, between Tremezzo and Menaggio; or by boat docking at the dock of Tremezzo, which is just a few steps from the entrance. ”

“The villa is currently inhabited and therefore can only be visited in some of its parts. Near this enchanting building it is possible to visit a small museum that houses numerous archaeological finds, paintings and ancient pottery. There is also the opportunity to visit the enchanting outdoor area, which is green and luxuriant. The immense green area hosts artifacts of great artistic and historical value, such as the Egyptian statues that adorn the garden or the ancient urns of Etruscan origin. The outdoor garden even hosts a Venetian gondola, which arrived here in Bellagio by the will of Napoleon, and an enchanting neoclassical chapel. The whole park is dotted with statues, busts and works from different eras, which blend with gardens and plants in an atmosphere of pure enchantment.”

“A beautiful walk along Lake Como affords not only the best views of the lake and surrounding mountains, but a glimpse of the area's fine gardens and hamlets, as well. The Greenway del Lario is a 10-kilometer path that is easily to follow, accessible and a joy to walk, suitable for just about everyone; it is not a strenuous mountain outing! It winds along the lakeshore and up through time-worn hamlets, offering pretty panoramas, passing through rural patches and giving access to gorgeous gardens Signs are scattered but cautiously located in strategic places so can follow the path.T his is not an isolated trail but a pleasant lakefront walk that you really should experience during your visit!”

“If you like walking and enjoying amazing view of Lake Como you have to visit this old castle. In the afternoon you can also attend to falconary demonstration at the castel”

“The site, originally a Cistercian convent, was purchased in 1569 by the Mornico family who over time embellished it with eclectic decorations. In 1980, the villa passed to Walter Kees of Leipzig, who continued to embellish the building in an eclectic style, relying on important architects such as Emilio Alemagna, Achille Majnoni, and Enrico Citterio. From around 1940 Villa Monastero is a conference center and a museum house as well as the headquarters of an important and spectacular botanical garden that stretches for two kilometers from Varenna to Fiumelatte. ”