TRAVEL
3 OF OUR FAVOURITE
ITALIAN LAKES
There’s nothing quite like the glamour of holidaying at The lakes of Northern Italy. The serene nature and old skool beauty are hard to beat and puts The Lakes squarely on our bucket lists. Here we take a brief look at three of the eight Italian lakes and some fantastic accommodation options. By Tess de Klerk
LAKE COMO Perhaps the most famous of the lakes, Como has long been the haunt of aristocrats and film stars who flock to its shores for understated glamour and breathtaking beauty. Lake Como has a reputation as the place to see and be seen! It’s worth noting that the lake has two main communities, the relatively sleepy Varenna, and the glitzy, glamorous Bellagio with both offering quaint cobbled streets, neo-classical villas and stunning scenery. Water taxis wizz about between the two and you can’t go wrong with booking your stay anywhere on Como. REFINED EXCLUSIVITY Villa d’Este The opulent Villa d’Este was once the summer home of Princess Caroline of Brunswick and welcomed princesses, marquises, sultans and stars in its long history. It oozes regality with palatial rooms, suites and villas luxuriously decorated with rich fabrics, sparkling chandeliers and works of art. Nestled in extensive private grounds, complete with terraces, statuary and a mosaic-embellished garden, Villa d’Este offers unrivalled facilities and impeccable service. Its reputation as one of the best grand dames in the world still stands.
Filario Hotel
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www.platinummediagroup.co.uk
Villa d’Este OLD SKOOL ELEGANCE Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni Bellagio’s opulent Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni is an elegant grand dame, with all the trappings of old fashioned luxury. Think doric columns, beautiful antiques, frescoed ceilings, grand sun terraces, spectacular lake views and, of course, a Michelin-starred restaurant. CONTEMPORARY LUXURY Filario Hotel Modern architecture, clean design and genuine hospitality create a luxuriously modern atmosphere that sets Hotel Filario apart from everything else on Lake Como. All 13 rooms at Filario feature private, cosy balconies with stunning views over the lake. The private beach has a lovely little beach bar, offering fantastic appetisers, wine and cocktails.
