Savvy Sightseer - tips and insights for seasoned travelers!

An artful combination of quaint and aristocratic, Lake Como has it all. This is definitely a place to make no plans other than to explore and wander. From lakeside towns of Menaggio and Varenna, a short ferry ride cuts across the lake to Bellagio, known as the "Pearl of the Lake." It's an apt title for this classy combination of high fashion shops and fine eateries.

Views from every angle of the lake are breathtaking. Whether walking down a quiet village lane or on a lake front plaza, the lake has a calming effect; it's no wonder some consider it the "jewel in the crown of Italy’s famous lakes." 

Bellagio's streets are tiny by any standards and easy to confuse with pedestrian walkways. But jumping out of the way of oncoming vehicles can have its plus side - finding a true bargain and fantastic place to relax for lunch. Up a narrow alley lies a small gem of a restaurant. La Divina Commedia is a pleasant surprise on all counts - the food, service and ambiance. A mere 10 Euros (in some places, you can spend 4 Euros on a small bottle of Coke Light!) buys two trips to the seemingly endless buffet of Italian treats as well as wine or beer. Owner Giulio de Bernardi proudly describes the various dishes - chicken, pasta, polenta, pizza, rice, cheeses, salads, fruits - a true something-for-everyone buffet, and gives a little backstory on their origins.

Bellagio is a shopper's delight. Artful and unique shops flank the central stepped walkway. On a hot day, a better approach to fully enjoy this town is to skip the walk up the steps and follow the lake front to the roadway that curves around and up - then take the steps back down to the lake and ferry landing. Much easier on the knees!

An also must-have, anywhere in Italy, is gelato. Don't believe anyone who tries to tell you gelato is the same as American ice cream. One taste and you will never confuse the two!

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