The building now houses the Civic Archaeological Museum Paolo Giovio, is one of the most interesting palaces of the city of Como and retains part of the eighteenth-century interior. The palace, located in a square within the walled city and includes...

Dates from the late eighteenth century but has undergone major renovations and expansions over time. Villa Giovio is located within a park, part of which runs along the long driveway that leads directly to the front of the building whose rustic...

Built for the Abbot Marco Gallio on the site of Paolo Giovio's sixteenth-century villa called "The Museum", it dates back to the beginning of the seventeenth century. It has a simple layout, with two loggias on the ground floor, one facing the lake...

The villa is now headquarters of Antonio Ratti foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the culture of textiles and contemporary art. It was built between 19th and the beginning of 20th century and belonged to different people. Among them...

Villa del Grumello is an historical mansion placed in a breathtaking setting: a wonderful park overlooking the lake. The villa’s interior can only be experienced for special functions and events but its majestic exterior can be viewed by the public...

Built in 1790 and renovated in 1850 in neoclassical form, Villa Geno is located alongside the famous Como fountain, featuring a jet of water 30 meters high. It is set in a unique natural complex consisting of the Lake and the promontory as a...

Private villa viewable only from outside or the lake. Owned by Count Mario Allamel, a very affable host who frequently invited with Cernobbio’s citizens to literary events and music in the beautiful garden and gazebo. It is located on a lakefront...

Presently the municipal office for the town of Cavallasca and tourist office for Spina Verde Park, the villa is surrounded by a beautiful park and terraces. The building has important wall paintings, mythological and biblical in theme. Noteworthy...

Available for private rental with chef and all modern amenities. Also known as Villa Taglioni, after the original owner, ballerina Marie Taglioni who in lived in the feudal home for forty years. The property later went to Michele Riccardi, owner of...

Built around 1850 by Russian Prince Troubetzkoy, married to one of the daughters of famous Ballerina Marta Taglioni. The Prince came to the area after having served six months heavy labour in a Siberia for plotting against Czar Nicholas I. He...

Located in a panoramic position between the inlet of Loppia and the hamlet of San Giovanni, Villa Taverna was built by Count Paolo Taverna at the end of the eighteenth century. The villa is a private residence and can only be seen from the lake. The...

Located next to Villa d’Este, this villa is in the private hands of the Volpi-Bassani family. The gardens can be visited during the week by groups of ten or more. Villa Pizzo Cernobbio: Giovanni Muggiasca purchased the farmland on the Pizzo...

Villa Bernasconi is one of the most precious examples of art nouveau in Italy. It is owned by the town of Cernobbio and is now a cultural center hosting exhibitions and events. It was built before 1905 in Cernobbio, not directly on the lake but not...

Villa Saporiti or "La Rotonda" in Como owes its name to the elliptical hall that protrudes towards the lake. Villa Saporiti was built at the end of the eighteenth century for the marquis Villani of Milani on a design by Leopoldo Pollack. The...

Villa Erba is a 19th-century villa in Cernobbio, on the shores of Lake Como, Italy. It serves as a world-renown conference centre and was the filming location for Ocean’s Twelve in 2004 and Gwen Stefani's single "Cool". Villa Erba was built by Luigi...

Villa Fontanelle is near Moltrasio on the Lake Como, Lombardy, Italy, about 50 kilometres (31 mi) from Milan. Presently owned by Russian billionaire Arkady Novikov, this villa was once home to Gianni Versace who lived there until his murder in 1997....

Stately neoclassical building dating back to the end of 1700. It has an Italian garden at the front and an English park at the back with secular trees and woody plants. The villa belongs to the City Council which uses it for conventions, events and...

The most spectacular way to cross the Alps is catch the Bernina Express from Tirano to St, Moritz. The train links up regions with different languages and cultures. This is not a rack railway and the train winds its way gently through splendid...

For 125 years now, the rack railway has been running along a picturesque 9 km stretch of mountain in scenary in the Monte Generoso nature park, from Capolago on Lake Lugano to the Monte Generoso summit at 1704 m. altitude. The steam train built in...

Switzerland on a smaller scale with 120 models of houses, castles and monuments in an open air park. The models have been recreated authentically with great attention to detail and include sites such as the Heidi Village in Maienfeld, the castles of...

Town in the province of Bergamo renown for its namesake carbonated mineral water, thermal baths, casino and art nouveau buildings. Located just an hour north east of the city of Lecco, this location promises to be a romantic getaway that combines a...

A UNESCO World Heritage site consisting of a holy road and sanctuary on a “Sacred Mountain”. The path combines art and spirituality consisting of 14 chapels that recall the mysteries of Rosario, a pilgrimage destination since the Middle Ages....

With renewed popularity of Jurassic Park’s movie series, this destination is guaranteed to be a hit with kids of all ages. Full size models abound along with fossils, maze and playground. Along its shaded route with intermittent ponds and lakes, are...

From the original James Bond film "Goldeneye" with Pierce Brosnan. The world's most famous jump – and with its 220m in height – a world record. This key scene was shot exactly here: Verzasca Dam in Ticino, Switzerland. Apart from "Goldeneye",...

These fortresses number among the finest examples of medieval fortification architecture in the alpine region. Bellinzona's fortifications, actually go much further back to a prehistoric settlement on Castelgrande hill, an are mainly the result of...

Situated in Switzerland about 10 kilometres south of Lugano. With its characteristic small alleys, old Patrician homes, valuable architectural monuments and its natural beauty, the lakefront position, Morcote is considered the “Pearl of Lake...

Swiss town located less than an hour away from Como on a glacial lake of the same name. Its Swiss-Mediterranean mix of cultures is reflected in its architecture and cuisine. Its main square, Piazza della Riforma, is ringed with pastel-colored,...

Just north of Lake Como located in the centre of the Valchiavenna valley. The town has a rich history exemplified by buildings and palaces with beautiful facades, doors in soapstone and squares with splendid fountains. Among the attractions: The...

Bormio’s origns are inextricably linked to its thermal waters which have been renown for their curative powers since ancient times. The baths at Bagni Vecchi, Bagni Nuovi and Terme di Bormio, are among the more noteworthy examples amid the area’s...

Resort town in the Engadine valley in Switzerland and host to the Winter Olympics in 1928 and 1948. It is a popular destination of the upper class and international jet set, as well as one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world. Due to its...

Located north east of Lake Como’s uppermost reach is the Valtallina Valley that is home to some of the most spectacular mountain and valley hiking, rock climbing and bouldering. The area is supported by a number of Rifuggii (eg. Gianetti) offering...

Located in an Italian enclave within the Swiss canton of Ticino and separated from the rest of Italy by mountains, is the Casino Municipale. With an area of 55,000 square meters it is currently the biggest in Europe. The futuristic building with...

Located 30 km from Lake Como, Bergamo is the second most visited city in Lombardy after Milan. It is widely acknowledged as a city of rare beauty famous for its artistic treasures and enchanting medieval atmosphere. Bergamo is comprised of two...

A day trip to Milan from Como is only a 40 minute train ride, so if you the time to visit this historical city, rich in cultural heritage be sure to put it on your list. Counted amongst its more famous attractions is the Cathedral with a capacity of...

Crespi d’Adda workers’ village is a UNESCO site: a modern vision of the ideal city built around the life of local manufacturing companies and the family. It is an outstanding example of a type of a working class village developed between the...