Andiamo! Citalia Magazine Winter 2023

Lake Como
Of Lake Como’s towns, I really like and recommend Bellagio.
I absolutely love Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, which is located on the
edge of Bellagio but still near enough to amble into town. The hotel
name is accurate as it’s very grand and historic - what I’d call high ticket
- even boasting its own Michelin-starred restaurant. I love that it has its
own private jetty, and it was amazing to see a couple board their boat
from here - I wish it had been me!
Bellagio epitomises the luxury lifestyle of Lake Como,
with incredibly sophisticated boutique shops.
The pretty streets are cobbled, narrow and hilly,
with plenty of little traditional eateries and bars
right on the waterfront so you can enjoy the lake views.
Because of the location, the meals are generally hearty fayre, like
risotto, lots of meat and mountain cheeses, as well as lots of freshlycaught
lake fish. You always find pizza and pasta on the menu too.
If you want to experience the golden age of travel, then I recommend
Hotel Villa d'Este in Cernobbio. It has such an old world charm and feels
incredibly formal, as if you were journeying on the Titanic. The mosaic
gardens, grounds, and the views from the rooms are all incredible.
There’s one place I wish I’d visited but didn’t get a chance to, which
was the small town of Varenna. It looks so gorgeous from the lake, like
something out of a film!
Lake Garda
Of all the towns in Lake Garda, Sirmione is my favourite. It has that
classical Italian vibe with mostly pedestrianised lanes, all of which are
filled with beautiful historical architecture, and lots of gelaterie and bars.
Plus, there’s the beautiful castle that you can wander around.
A lot of the hotels use natural, mineral-rich thermal water, so there’s a
real spa culture in Sirmione, with wonderful treatments and outdoor
pools that are naturally heated all year round. I’d love to return for a
winter spa break!
In Bardolino you'll find another spa hotel, Hotel Caesius Thermae and
Spa Resort, which is popular among Citalia guests. I’d also recommend
Corte Valier on the outskirts of Bardolino, as it’s really peaceful, with
lovely grounds and a terrace that overlooks the lake. Plus, there’s live
music on certain evenings.
Don’t miss the small harbour town of Riva del Garda. We climbed the
giant bell tower, which I highly recommend for gorgeous bird's-eye
lake views.
In Riva del Garda, Du Lac et Du Parc Grand Resort
is stunning and great for families, with an established
kids’ club and games room. Definitely the main
draw is its nature and gardens, which looks like
something out of a fairytale.
In Menaggio, I discovered my personal favourite hotel spa at the historic
Grand Hotel Victoria, which is Lake Como’s largest spa. It recently had
a major renovation and has pristine interiors and high-tech gadgets that
brilliantly blends traditional features with contemporary chic. This hotel
feels trendy, so naturally attracts a lot of fashionable people!
I’d return in a heartbeat to Grand Hotel Tremezzo in Tremezzo, because
it has all the original Belle Époque interiors running through the hotel,
which makes it really glamorous. The grounds are amazing, with garden
terraces cut into the hill, and there are three swimming pools in total,
two outdoor and one indoor. There’s a delicious new restaurant called
Giacomo al Lago, which is an offshoot of an esteemed eatery in Milan.
From the main road, you’d think it was a commercial ski resort, but from
the back it’s out of this world. There’s direct access to a small beach,
with mountains as your backdrop. While it’s not a private beach, you’d
have a job finding it if you didn’t know it was there.
A 7 night holiday in Lake Como, staying at Albergo Lenno,
starts from £899 per person.
A 7 night holiday in Lake Garda, staying at Le Ali del Frassino,
starts from £795 per person.
Are you ready to experience the Glittering Great Lakes? Speak to one of our ​Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765061
Winter 2022/23
Andiamo!