FISHING in Lake Como – Italy

On lake Como you can have fun “sporting and underwater fishing”

Possibly fishing: trouts, lavarets, chubs, pikes, tenches,perches,bleaks,eels,burbots

Fixed fishing rod, with reel,artificial fly or haulage. Underwater fishing only in apnoea.

You need to ask at the tourist office for a temporary fishing permission.

If you wish , try what I consider a yummy fish “il missoltino” (see the picture).

One must also is ” Risotto al filetto di pesce persico”, you can find it almost everywhere , in most of the restaurants you’ll find small differences…choose which you prefer and then …let me know!)

 

What to see in Bellagio – lake Como -Italy

VILLA MELZI:
Opening times: 9.30-18-30 from March to 30th November
Magnificent architecture, built in1808 for the Duke Francesco Melzi D’Eril, assistant of Napoleon. Interesting sculptures in the most splendid park, where stupendous groups of azaleas and rhododendrons alternate.
The present owner is the Count Gallarati Scotti.

VILLA SERBELLONI:
Opening time : 11 and 15.30 (guided tour) minimum 6 pax daily except Mondays and in case of bad weather. Splendid view from 18th century garden of the three branches of the Lake Como and Lecco. From the fortifications on the promontory view of the northern btanch of the lake and the pre-alps. The park of the Villa Serbelloni owned since 1959 by the Rockfeller Foundation of New York for minimum of 6 people and maximum of 30 lasting about 1.30 h.
Meeting point is the old tower situated at the top of the centre of the town in the square of S. Giacomo , 15 minutes before the start of the tour.

S. GIOVANNI CHURCH:
Baroque building (XVI cent.) one nave, wooden altar of ‘600. Inside the “Madonna delle Grazie”, fresco of the Lombard School, a sculpture of the “Immacolata” in marble of Carrara (Bernini School), a choir in walnut with carved stalls (XVII cent.) and painting o Gaudenzio Ferrari(1532).
Situated in the hamlet of San Giovanni on the road to Como.
The church is open only when there is a mass, for example on Sunday mornings.

S. GIACOMO BASILICA:
Stupendous example of the romanesque-lombard art (XII cent.), built between 1075 and 1125 by the Masters of Como. Inside mosaics of the early ‘900 , rich altar of the end ‘500, a deposition of Christ attributed to the Perugino school, an archaic cross (XII cent.), a triptych by Foppa (1432), a polychrome wooden sculpure of the “Buried Christ” of the Spanish-Baroque school.

HISTORICAL TOUR OF myBellagio centre town-PART 1

Duration aprox. 1 hour

The 23 suburbs scattered over the vast area of land streching from the lakeside – situated 229m above sea leve – to the top of Monte S.Primo – 1.686m above sea level- are all part of Bellagio. The “Borgo” is the town historic centre and was one of the first area in Bellagio to be inhabited. This itinerary will help the visitor to find out more about this main part of town.

You can start yourtour From Bellagio Piazza Mazzini , in  front of the boat station. This is not an ordinary plaza shaped but has got characteristic arcades that underwent radical changes during the 18th century following the extension of the  area on the lakeside where the market was hel.

Opposite the bost station landing stage n1 , under the lake’s waters in 1829 and below this, another date 1868.

Particularly abundant rainfalls caused the lake to flood in both years. Sadly , there have been other cases of flooding- they are not recorded on this column however.From here,you can start your tour by walking along the road pausing far a few minutes to admire the entrance to the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni on the left, just after the first bend. It was originally built as a private villa in 1852 and was changed to its present-day one at the beginning of the 20th century when the Villa Serbelloni (nowdays property of the Rockefeller Foundation of New York) became part of the hotel property.

As you go uphill, instead of going straight up to the church square, we recommend taking a walk along the road to the left which leads us to the trip of the promontory called the “Punta Spartivento” which, literally translated, means the point where the wind divides.

The view from here are exceptional and undoubtedly amongst the best on the Lake Como. This is the point where the lake splits itself intoo three branches: to the right, the Lecco branch (south-eastern branch); to the left, the Como branch (south-western branch); and straight ahead of us, to the north, the Colico branch. A perfect backdrop is provided by the serene and majestic mountains so beautifully described by Alessandro Manzoni in his masterpiece, the “Promessi Sposi” – “The Betrothed”.

Returning along the same road, we now head for the church square (piazza San Giacomo) in the upper part of town. Here the most important feature is, of course, “St. James” Basilica, one of the best examples of the Lombard-Romanesque style architecture in this whole region. It was built from the end of the 11th century to the beginning of the 12th century and was decreed a National Monument in 1904 .

On the lower part of the bell tower is a Memmorial plaque to those who died during World War One . It is thought that the lower part of the bell tower already existed as part of Borgo’s medieval defence system long before the church was ever built. The church was built incorporating this tower which was more or less the same height as the roof. The tower was later trasformed into a bell towe. The actual bell towe as you see it today dates back to the 18th century and was restored in 1990.

If you’re interested in visiting the church interiors (well worth a visit), we advise you to go in throught the  main entrance and pick up the detailed information leaflet from the small table on the right.

After visiting the church , if you step far a few minutes,you’ll see the Bar Sport-in bygone time of a monastery. On the right hand corner of this building there is another Memorial plaque on the wall which commemorates Teresio Olivelli who was born here. He was a braave officer of the Alpini regiment and founder of the clandestine paper “The Rebel”. He was bestowed with a gold medal far his bravery and was deported to the Nazi execution camp in Hers Bruck where he gave his companions moral support and assistance right up to his death.

If  now  you turn your  back to the bar and look across the square and upwards, you get a glimpse of the Villa Serbelloni   , an important conference and study centre which has been owned by the Rockefeller Foundation of New York since 1959. The grounds surrounding the villa cover a large portion of the promontory and can be visited from April to the end of October, only on guided tours which take place everyday except Mondays. Departure is from the gates behind the basilica’s beautiful apse. Tours are cancelled in the event of bad weather . Down to the right you can see a tower which is all that remains of Bellagio’s medieval defence system.  Right in the centre of the square is a beautiful granite fountain which was made in 1897 by Mr.  Pical, an English man, owner of the Villa Bornè. The fountain was originally in the garden by the Villa Gotica and was created to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s regin. The fountain top’s original decoration was a star. Between 1908 and 1910 the fountain was moved from the Villa Gotica to the cobble square. In September 1947, a statue off the Madonna Pellegrino (the Pilgrim Madonna) was carried in procession through the streets of Bellagio and to celebrate this special event, the fountain was embellished – the star was removed from the top of the fountain and was replaced with the statue of the Madonna as we see it today.

…to be continued

Hang-glider at Cornizzolo

I just loved this idea and kept having in my mind to do this ,long time ago.

For so many excuses I didn’t do it jet but my best friend got this birthday present and she had lots of fun…see her experience here:

…30 minutes from Bellagio …the sky is waiting for you!!!!

 

Walk ideas : Monte S.Primo my Bellagio Mountain

 

Superb view of the Alps (in the north) and of the Pianura Padana (in the south) . Carriage road until the refuge at 1200 m ,from there in an hour to the summit.   

Italy is well known as an exceptionally warm and welcoming country, and more italians are multilingual and more than willing to share their love for and knowledge of thir homeland.

Nonetheless, purchasing (or consulting) a guidebook to the region prior to visit my Bellagio can help you to make some informed choices.

Walks idea: The Viandante

Italy is well known as an exceptionally warm and welcoming country, and more italians are multilingual and more than willing to share their love for and knowledge of thir homeland.

Nonetheless, purchasing (or consulting) a guidebook to the region prior to visit my Bellagio can help you to make some informed choices.

Take a wonderful stroll following in the footsteps of the Romans along the Wayfarers’s trail from Bellano to Varenna .

Enjoy a leisurely boat ride across the central lake area to the beautiful town of Bellano which site quietly on the eastern coastline north of Varenna.

A small yet important lakeside town you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy . Make your way through the town and up towards the hillside for about 20 minutes towards the hamlets in search of the path which you will follow south Varenna. You’ll have to hike along the Wayfarers trail that will take you past many small hamlets, chapels, country homes and it is the perfect opportunity have a look of the life here , during the time of the Romans.

Each and every corner has something to offer. Before arriving in Varenna you’ll pass by the ancent mining areas where the famous black marble of Varenna was once mined in abundance. Arriving in Varenna you will head down to the lakeshore to return to Bellagio by loacal boat.

Another wonderful opportunity to enjoy a beautiful hidden part of this extraordinary area.

This tours require a good sturdy hiking shoes .

WALKS idea : Cadenabbia and the Church of San Martini

Italy is well known as an exceptionally warm and welcoming country, and more italians are multilingual and more than willing to share their love for and knowledge of thir homeland.

Nonetheless, purchasing (or consulting) a guidebook to the region prior to visit my Bellagio can help you to make some informed choices.

This tours require a good sturdy hiking shoes . 

From Bellagio cross the lake with the local ferry towards th eWestern Coast and the town of Cadenabbia, famous for its beautiful azaleas and Rhododendrous . From the lake shore your hike begins along quaint cobbled stones lanes and steps whicj will take us up throught the backstreets of Griante – a small , characteristic village proudly sat on the hillside-here you will have the opportunity to mix with locals , having a cappuccino in a local bar in the hart of the village.

Leaving Griante behind you begin our hike up the hillside following the lanes, footpaths and fields. This will take you to to th eChurch of San Martino which dates back to the 16th century. While , it is most likely that the Church will be closed, nowadays the only opens for Festivals and Special Religious celebrations.

 

The view that you will enjoy from here across the entire central lake area, the promontory of Bellagio, th eGrigne Mountain range and the Alps will literally take your breth away.

You can stop here and enjoy a snack which you have brought with you before you begin your descent back down the hillside towards Griante, Cadenabbia and the return journey back to Bellagio with the ferry.

Enjoy a wonderful hike in the morning to one of the most beautiful churches in the central lake area offering the most incredible picture postcard view of one of Europe’s most stunning areas.

HIKE in Lake Como – Italy part

 

There are many hiking trails in the lake region and one of the most popular along Lake Como is the Greenway. This is at about 6.5 miles (10 kilometer hike) that follows the western shore of the lake from Colonno to Cadenabbia along the path of an ancient Roman road.


Walking the Greenway offers an excellent opportunity to experience a cross section of the lake region, passing through little villages, and past new condos, ancient ruins and lovely scenary.
Although the hike is classified as easy for beginners, many of my Bellagio guests found it slightly challenging as it requires a bit of climbing on stone paths . Be sure to pack plenty of water and maybe  prepare a bag lunch to bring with you even if  you’ll find lots of places to snack along the way.
I would like to say that this is one of the options…the one that all tourists are ” pushed to do” .
Really lovely but if you wish to be a little more adventuousr …don’t miss the caming soon article about hiking suggestions in myBellagio mountain 😉
See you soon!

 

TRIP TO MILAN from BELLAGIO – LAKE COMO -ITALY

Tourists talk endlessly about Rome, Florence and Venice but Milan is cenrtainly intriguing. The heart of Milan is bounded by the Duomo (the main cathedral) on one side and the Castello Sforzesco on the other, and a pedestrian “mall street” called the Via Dante connects them.

Start out by climbing to the top of the Duomo …

…the best view in Milan and on a clear day , you can see the Alps. Exiting the Duomo (on your right) is the world’s first shopping mall – The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele -worth a quick stroll through. Straight across the Duomo plaza (Piazza del Duomo , in italian) in front of the church is a famous gelateria.

With the Duomo at your back,nearby to the left is the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana,one of the world’s great art museums,but much more intimate than the Louvre or the Uffizi -it occupies an old palazzo. There are paintings there by Titian, Raphael, Tintoretto and Leonardo.

The Sforzesco Castle itself is a gret things to see there are the Egyptian mummies and the unfinished modernist Pietà by Michelangelo.

Unlike the Vatican, generally no crowds.

Facing the castle, head left and then right up the via Santa Maria to number 11 wich is the Cafè – Pasticceria Marchesi, a landmark coffee house and chocolate shop and bakery.

 

Basically you are halfway to the Santa Maria delle Grazie church , home of  “Il Cenacolo ” – “The Last Supper” .

Make a reservation WELL in advance by phone ( I suggest NOT  by internet ) call +39 0289421146 and hit “2” to get an English-speaking reservation agent.

If you forgot to do this ahead of your visit, you can sign up for a day tour with local company that includes a visit to “The Last Supper”.

Spend some time walking along the Via Monte Napoleone, the world Centre of fashion. Caffè Marchesihas also opened an outpost here.

In the evening , hang out in the “Navigli” ( Canal ) District in southwestern Milan, which is always hopping. You can get a drink anywhere, but try wine and appetizer at Al Pont de Ferr at 55 Ripa di Porta Ticinese. Then have a homestyle (and much less expensive) dinner near the Castle Sforzesco at Da Rita e Antonio at Via Giacomo Puccini 2.

Enjoy it !!!