Zhe’s guidebook

There are a lot of different ways to get around Lake Como without a car: private or public transportation will take you wherever you want. Buses and boat service are a great way to move from town to town.

Nature lovers will love the Greenway del Lago, a pleasant 10 km walk which starts from Colonno and gets to Cadenabbia. The Greenway runs along several lake towns – partly just above the settlements, partly on the lakefront – and lets you discover Lake Como through its villas and gardens, Roman findings, and wonderful examples of architecture.

“Bello, bello, bello.” Italians are always using the word ‘bello’ (beautiful) for anything and everything good. In Italy beauty reigns supreme. And the Italian language is no different. Bello means “It’s nice! beautiful, lovely." Che bello literally translates as “how beautiful”. But the thing that may be surprising is just how often this exclamation is deployed.

In a country with more than its fair share of spectacular landscapes, Lake Como is one of the most breathtaking. Even better, it's a fabulous destination to explore with kids. Things to do with kids on Lake Como: -Mini Golf - Menaggio -Castle Vezio - Varenna -Jungle Raider Park - Bellagio -Lake Como Adventure Park - Gravedona -Hiking -Sailing Or simply get a fun ride on the Trombetta Express Trains. It is an ideal way to get to all the attractions between Lenno and Menaggio, a whole day ticket gave you the freedom to get on and off at you own pace. Trust me, all kids LOVE it.

Stylish Clothing: It’s no secret that Italians are very stylish people. Be sure to pack classy, yet breezy blouses and plenty of sundresses. Bug Repellent & Sun Gear: Protect yourself from the elements and pack along with bug spray, sunscreen, and a pair of sunglasses. Swim Gear: Whether you’re on a boat ride or just chilling at the beach, make sure you’re prepared at all times to take a dip in the refreshing lake water. Comfortable walking shoes: You’ll enjoy the stunning views even more if you’re wearing sensible shoes. P.S. Masks still required in health care settings, such as hospitals.

-Breakfast is the smallest meal of the day. Often eaten standing with an espresso and a small pastry, breakfast is not a big thing in Italy, so don't be surprised if you can't find a place that serves pancake or eggs in the morning. -Cappuccino is only a breakfast thing, if you order it after midday in a restaurant, you might get a curious look from your waiter. -Italians eat dinner late. Many restaurants don't open until 7 or 7:30 PM, so a standard dinner time is around 8 PM. But you can do Aperitivo (happy hour) as early as 6 PM.

-The water quality across Italy is of a pretty high standard. So you can drink tap water at home or hotels across Italy with no problems. This also includes using it to brush your teeth, wash and take medication. -Order house wine with your meal. -Avoid restaurants near major tourist attractions. -There are a lot of free beaches: tanning, relaxing and fun on Lake Como are guaranteed! Our villa is just across the street from the beach.

Italians tend to linger more over their meals, often talking late into the night over that last glass of wine or amaro. Service, too, is less rushed. All of this means that a local restaurant can expect to have fewer seatings per table a night compared to the churn elsewhere. So If you’re a foodie, book every dinner and some of your lunches. If you’re really not that fussed about food, then go ahead and play every meal by ear.