Lake Como, Villa Carolotta & Bellagio

Lake Como, Villa Carlotta, Bellagio

Villa Carlotta

The famous Villa Carlotta is found in the shore side town of Tremezzo on Lake Como.  Our bus trip took us from Stresa back along the motorway towards Milan then wound our way north through the precipitous hill roads and tunnels to Como.  

The 17^th century villa, which is full of statues including some very famous masterpieces by Canova, Thorvaldson and Hayez, is set in 70,000 square metres of Italianate gardens with fountains, and pergolas, groves of lemon and espaliered roses.  

It is famous for its azaleas and rhododendrons which flower in spring but they had all finished flowering when we were there.  Many other flowers were blooming, including hydrangeas of many different hues, shapes and colours.  I couldn’t believe the depth of colour in some of these.

On the boat

We boarded a boat on the lake near the villa, and with Mary giving a flowing knowledgeable commentary into our whispering earphones; we travelled along the lake and viewed the villas of the rich and famous, and the history of the infamous.  

Madonna's Villa

This villa has been used in James Bond, Oceans 11 and other movies

Richard Branson's Villa which also extends into the 

We viewed the church where Mussolini and his mistress were captured and executed by the partisans, before crossing the lake and eventually landed at the Bellagio Peninsula at Bellagio, a town known for its silks, and its attractive outdoor trattorias and eating places. 

Esplanade at Bellagio

Leaving Bellagio

In Bellagio

Dinner tonight was at a three-course-meal at a family-run trattoria in the village of Stresa, about five minutes walk from our hotel.  The trattoria was booked for our exclusive us and the meal was well done.  We began with an antipasto of home-made pate with rustic toasted bread which was very tasty.  First course was either ravioli with goat ricotta cheese, hazelnuts and lemon which I enjoyed very much or lake fish ravioli with leek and perch, Doug’s choice.  We both enjoyed a second course of baked lamb leg with marsala sauce and chopped potatoes and vegetables, and I had a very smooth crème caramel while Doug savoured homemade semi-freddo with fresh fruit. This was all accompanied with red or white wine.  Conversation flowed as all the members of the travel group got to know each other.  There is arising a general feeling of conviviality and geniality within the group which bodes well for a great trip.