2009 Discovering Lake Como In Association with Welcome to Lake Como Homes About our Company Lake Como Homes in and can provide helpful Lake Como FREE conjunction with our partners assistance whatever your Advantage Card with every Happy Holiday Homes are now needs. rental booking! established as the leading property management and The Happy Holiday Homes letting company covering Lake team is here to assist you in Como. having a memorable holiday Advantage Card 2009 experience in one of the most Lake Como We are proud to offer a fully beautiful Lakes in the world. comprehensive service to our www.happyholidayhomes.net +39 0344 31723 customers and are equally Try our Happy Service which delighted in being able to offer specialises in sourcing our clients a wide and diverse exceptional good value deals on selection of holiday homes local events and activities and from contemporary studio passing the savings directly apartments to Luxurious onto you. This represents a discount to modern and period style Villas. many of the attractions and We thank you in selecting Lake Eateries about the lake. Happy Holiday Homes, based Como Homes and Happy in Menaggio have an Holiday Homes for your holiday enthusiastic multi-lingual team in the Italian Lakes. providing a personal service Happy Holiday Homes©, Via IV Novembre 39, 22017, Menaggio, Lake Como – www.happyholidayhomes.net - Tel: +39 034431723 Beauty in every sense of the word The Lake is shaped rather like an inverted 'Y', with two 'legs' starting at Como in the South- West and Lecco in the South-East, which join together half way up and the lake continues up to Colico in the North. The first few kilometres of the 'legs' at the southern end of the lake are relatively flat, but Lake Como becomes more mountainous as you head northwards into the Alps. The area around Lake Como, or "Lago di Como" in Italian, is wonderfully picturesque. Its physical distinctiveness, alongside the natural beauty of the lake has long been appreciated, ever since the Roman times in 196BC. The lake has witnessed many dramatic pasts which today impresses visitors from all around the world and leaves forever a lasting impression of romance, vitality and beauty. It is this essence which today draws many holiday makers, film directors and celebrities to a very special place. Happy Holiday Homes©, Via IV Novembre 39, 22017, Menaggio, Lake Como – www.happyholidayhomes.net - Tel: +39 034431723 Places to visit Milan, the commercial metropolis is Italy‟s economic hub and home to neo – classical Milanese palaces, striking contemporary architecture and is also the centre to some of the most famous fashion houses in the world. Milan offers countless tourist attractions such as Leonardo Da Vinci‟s Last Supper located in the Santa Maria delle Grazie and the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II which offers a cosmopolitan parade of restaurants, shops and bookshops. Menaggio, although peaceful and relaxing during the daytime there is still lots to do in and around Menaggio. The town offers an array of restaurants, shops and cafes set in old piazzas and medieval passageways. You can enjoy walks through the town and its numerous gardens. Along the way you can take a look at some of Menaggio's lovely little churches: San Stefano (17th century), San Giusto and San Carlo accompanied by a beautiful bell tower and the ruins of a medieval castle above the town is also worth a visit. The town also offers frequent ferry services across the lake for the curious and active visitor. Varenna is the place to get away from it all, but also to be in touch with the rest of the Lake. For the romantics, the historians or for those who love peace, tranquility and a history that goes back thousands of years this is the place. Varenna is an ancient fishing village with close to 1000 residents spread along a steep hillside overlooking Lake Como. Today Varenna is a lovely spot to revitalise after a day of sightseeing by enjoying the lake side restaurants and bars or to simply sit on a bench with an homemade Italian ice cream! Bellagio sits at the very tip of the Punto Spartivento (the point which divides the wind). When you arrive by boat, the whole village is laid out for inspection. The lake side produces a wonderful array of beautiful buildings, red-roofed and with pastel-shaded walls, above which rises the campanile of the 11th century church of San Giacomo. A small maze of steep, sometimes cobbled streets awaits to delight and confuse. Take time to wander at leisure enjoying the many shop displays and Italian charm. Tremezzo is one of the most famous tourist resorts of the area and is situated on the western shore of Lake Como, opposite Bellagio, with a view of the central basin and the Grigne. The impressive villas and big hotels, dating back to the 17th century, which stand along the edge of the lake, have made Tremezzo an international tourist destination. Take a day to visit Villa Carlotta and its gardens, a most visually intriguing and delightful experience. St. Moritz, 100km distance from Varenna and Lugano is only 25km from Menaggio. Please Menaggio, drive towards the north of the lake, follow remember to take your passport. signs for Chiavenna and St.Moritz. Happy Holiday Homes©, Via IV Novembre 39, 22017, Menaggio, Lake Como – www.happyholidayhomes.net - Tel: +39 034431723 Villas and Museums There are so many things to see and do in this beautiful 3 Villa Melzi (Bellagio) location; there just aren‟t enough hours in the day to Magnificent summer residence built for Francesco Melzi take them all in. d‟Eril an associate of Napoleon. English style garden are wonderfully landscaped, and has a Moorish outlook In the bliss summer breeze you may come across the available for public viewing. occasional A-list celebrity lounging around the lake and Opening Times from April – October 9am -6pm cafes. Prices: Adults €6 Children €5 You can relax and explore the quaint and quirky towns and villages that are spread-out along the 50km of Lake Como shoreline. For the cosmopolitan café culture, head to Bellagio and Menaggio or take in the lake views of tranquil Lenno. Alternatively, explore the rich history of the area with its castles and villas and enjoy some beautiful walks that will allow you to experience some of the stunning views this landscape has to offer. Have some family fun at the many events taking place in and around the lake. There is something for everyone and we hope that Lake 4 Castello di Vezio (Varenna) Como Homes and Happy Holiday Homes can help you A steep climb to the ruins of this Castel, allegedly experience the ultimate lakeside holiday. founded by Lombard Queen, Theodolinda in the VII Century. The castle accommodates its very own falconer, showing to visitors the many birds of prey and 1 Villa Carlotta (Tremezzo) th phases of bird training. Visitors can get a close glimpse A late 17 century Villa, particularly well known for its of many different birds. The walk is well worth it! rare plants and its azaleas and rhododendrons. As with Opening Times from Everyday 10am to sunset. many Villas it houses many works of art from the Prices: Adults €4 Children €2 Neoclassical time. Opening Times from April –May 9:00am – 6:00pm Prices: Adults €7,50 Seniors €3,75 5 Funicolare (Como) A spectacular run by cable car that leads to the high part of Como, where you can enjoy magnificent views of 2 Villa Balbianello (Lenno) The most famous and one of the most amazing Villas on the city below. There are plenty of opportunities to walk the lake. The 18th century villa contains, works of art, around, enjoy a snack, and do a spot of souvenir antique furniture and beautiful views from across the shopping. lake, The true masterpiece is the wonderfully Opening Times from Summertime services are every 30 landscaped gardens, and panoramic terrace. minutes until midnight. Opening Time from March –November 10am -6pm Price: Simple only draft run €1 Prices: Adults €11 Children €6 Happy Holiday Homes©, Via IV Novembre 39, 22017, Menaggio, Lake Como – www.happyholidayhomes.net - Tel: +39 034431723 Activities to energize or relax… 1 Como Lake Boats. it (Domaso) 6 Menaggio Golf Course (Menaggio) Are you planning on renting a boat in order to enjoy the One of the most ancient golf courses in Europe, it is the extraordinary beauty the Lake Como has to offer or do only one that embodies the great golf tradition. The Par you want to go for an undisturbed swim in the middle of 70 of the Menaggio and Cadenabbia Golf Club says the lake, then go straight to „Como Lake Boats‟ in something about the course, it‟s being short but Domaso. To reserve your boat on the lake please go to: requiring precision. There is a splendid club house to www.comolakeboats.it or socialize after a challenging match. Please go to: +39 3334014995 http://www.menaggio.it/ing/Default.htm 2 The Cavalcalario Outdoor Club 7 Tennis Courts (Bellagio) This outdoor club offers many fun packed sporting adventures, from trekking to paragliding. Further Enjoy a game of tennis by the lake. All tennis courts are outdoor pursuits includes mountain biking, horse riding, well maintained and not too expensive. Please call the following numbers for your chosen location. paragliding, rock climbing, sailing, and much much more. To find out more or reserve your place on these exciting activities please go to: Menaggio +39 3332488099 www.bellagio-mountains.it Lenno +39 034456501 Hotel Rusall, Tremezzo +39 034440468 +39 031574495 Hotel Villa Edy, Tremezzo +39 034440161 3 Service Boat (Menaggio) 8 Lido Giardino Menaggio, (Menaggio) From here, you can enjoy the delights of taking a guided visit by boat to the magnificent Villa Balbianello.