| Seen from the water, Bellagio is undoubtedly the | | | | - Rowing courses at 'Canottieri di Bellagio' |
| best-looking resort on the Lake. This is partly to do | | | | - Windsurfing , in front of Pescallo |
| with its unique location - neither on the eastern nor | | | | - Swimming pool at Bellagio Sporting Club |
| the western side but on a promontory in the middle, | | | | - Fishing, and underwater fishing |
| where the Lake divides into two 'legs'. You might say | | | | When you arrive at Bellagio by ferry, you step out |
| that Bellagio nestles in the crotch of the Lake. On the | | | | onto a relatively traffic free lakeside with arcaded |
| other hand, you might not. | | | | restaurants in front of the walls of large, old buildings. |
| Because it's located a little way down the western | | | | Behind them, the town rises quickly in imposing blocks |
| side of the promontory, Bellagio faces you 'square on' | | | | to a historic centre dominated by the Basilica of San |
| as you approach it on a ferry boat from Menaggio or | | | | Giacomo - a Romanesque church prized highly enough |
| Cadenabbia. And because the hills on the promontory | | | | to have been declared a national monument. The |
| are (relatively) small, the town's handsome | | | | lakefront and historic centre are connected by a |
| arrangement of red roofs and yellow, pink and white | | | | series of steep, narrow, cobbled alleyways. |
| walls sits rather grandly in front of gently rounded, | | | | Like many of the lakeside towns Bellagio has its fair |
| green slopes. It's one of the best examples of that | | | | share of churches dating from the Romanesque and |
| harmony of nature and architecture that gives Lake | | | | later periods - in addition to S. Giacomo, there are the |
| Como its special appeal - striking enough to earn | | | | Romanesque churches of S. Giorgio, Santa Maria di |
| Bellagio the title of 'the pearl of the Lake'. But just to | | | | Loppia and S. Martino, as well as the baroque S. |
| ward off any potential challenger for the title, the | | | | Giovanni Battista. |
| high mountains of the eastern branch contribute a | | | | But what really distinguishes Bellagio from other |
| spectacular, distant background to complete the | | | | lakeside villages is the large number of boutiques |
| perfect view. | | | | selling locally crafted items made of wood or Como |
| Its location also provides Bellagio itself with | | | | silk and luxury clothing and accessories - luggage, |
| spectacular views, towards the northern end of the | | | | watches, jewellery, and so on. These small shops are |
| lake and across and down both branches. These can | | | | scattered around the perimeters of the old town and |
| be enjoyed from a small shingle beach at the end of | | | | lakefront and in many of the alleyways between |
| the promontory - the Punta Spartivento. However, | | | | them. It's as if all the outlets from a large airport |
| we've usually not found many other visitors there. | | | | departure lounge have been sprinkled over the town. |
| They may prefer the 'riverside' bathing centre, with a | | | | That's not a criticism - we like what they sell in |
| beach bar, where you can hire sunbeds. | | | | departure lounges. And in Bellagio I was particularly |
| Bellagio has enchanted some of the greatest | | | | taken with a grey and black chequered bow tie. |
| musicians and writers, including Longfellow, Shelley, | | | | Unfortunately, when quizzed about when I had last |
| Stendhal, Flaubert, Faure, Giordano, Liszt and | | | | worn such a garment I had to admit that it was |
| Toscanini. Even Mark Twain, who preferred Lake | | | | many years ago. And my explanation that I'm still |
| Tahoe, described an evening in Bellagio as a 'paradise | | | | planning to go up in the world fell on deaf ears. I |
| of tranquil repose'. And it remains the favourite spot | | | | couldn't have it. |
| on the Lake for many American visitors, its popularity | | | | Bellagio is flanked by two grand villas. The Villa |
| reflected in the creation of a 'tribute' Bellagio hotel in | | | | Serbelloni, between the town centre and the end of |
| Las Vegas | | | | the promontory, is one of three five star hotels |
| But Bellagio is smart as well as good looking. For | | | | around Lake Como. It's not the most beautiful villa on |
| example, its tourist office is right there alongside the | | | | the outside but apparently delivers a powerful mix of |
| ferry point. Trip up as you disembark from the boat | | | | old fashioned luxury and modern facilities. Access to |
| and you're in danger of landing on a pile of brochures. | | | | the hotel is only available to those staying there, but |
| Of course, that's an exaggeration. But if it weren't I | | | | there are guided tours of the gardens twice a day. |
| could predict which brochure you'd land on - Bellagio | | | | The Villa Melzi, on the other side of Bellagio, is |
| Dove, the official Guide; because everything you | | | | privately owned. But you can visit its gardens too, as |
| need to know about the place is crammed into that | | | | well as the chapel and 'museum'. |
| comprehensive document. | | | | The hamlet of San Giovanni di Bellagio, about twenty |
| The information includes details of hotels and other | | | | five minutes' walk from the centre of town, houses |
| accommodation; restaurants; addresses for sporting | | | | a unique museum of navigational instruments. That |
| activities, and many other services. So complete is it | | | | may not sound very exciting but the exhibits are |
| that it even includes the location of the public toilet in | | | | incredibly beautiful, like works of art. It's as if they |
| its list of 'useful addresses'. But don't worry if you're | | | | had to be magnificent, to enable them to throw the |
| desperate and haven't got time to leaf through the | | | | net of longtitude and latitude around the globe and |
| booklet. The location of the toilet is right there, with | | | | bring explorers safely home again. Everyone should |
| the ferry terminal and the tourist information office. | | | | see this collection, which opens between 10 am and 1 |
| That's how smart Bellagio is. | | | | pm every day, and in the afternoon by appointment. |
| The list of sporting activities is particularly impressive, | | | | Bellagio is rightly considered one of the most |
| including information on these land based activities: | | | | romantic spots on a Lake noted for its romantic |
| - Rock climbing in the area around Bellagio | | | | atmosphere. Liszt, while staying at the Villa Melzi, |
| - Horseriding; paragliding and hang gliding, and | | | | wrote: 'Whenever you may write the story of two |
| mountain biking, with the Cavalcalario Outdoor Club | | | | happy lovers, place them on the shores of Lake |
| - Gym and squash at Club Francesco Conti | | | | Como'. Not surprisingly, it's a venue favoured by |
| - Tennis, including lessons, at Bellagio Sporting Club | | | | wedding planners, offering the possibility of holding |
| - Parachuting - tandem launches above Bellagio | | | | the wedding, reception and honeymoon in the same |
| - Skiing in winter | | | | general location. There's even a special events team |
| - Snooker table at the Bar Sport | | | | to help you get it right. |
| - Cinemaand details of these water-sports : | | | | For those not contemplating such a drastic course of |
| - Waterskiing , at the Liquid Park Water Ski Club | | | | action, alternative popular nearby attractions include |
| - Kayaking, wakeboard, wakesurf and acqua tube at | | | | Menaggio and Varenna (linked by a dedicated ferry |
| the Jolly Racing Club, Lezzeno | | | | service, including car ferries); Villa Carlotta and Villa del |
| - Jetski school and rentals at Moregallo Sporting Club | | | | Balbianello down the western branch; Colico, Bellano |
| Nautico | | | | and the Abbey of Piona on the eastern lakeside, and |
| - Motor boats for hire, with and without driver / | | | | Como, at the southern end of the Lake. |
| licence; from Cantieri Nautici in Lezzeno | | | | |