Lake Como - The First Place I Fell for in Italy
In 2023, I spent three unforgettable weeks solo travelling through Italy from north to south, soaking up everything Italy is famous for. The beauty, the history, the food, all the moments that stay with you long after you’re home.
Lake Como was my first taste of Italy, and Varenna was the perfect base. Calm, elegant, and quietly beautiful, it set the tone for the journey ahead.
Lake Como was the soft landing I did not realise I needed after crossing from France into Switzerland then Italy. Calm, elegant, and effortlessly beautiful, it felt like easing into Italian life rather than diving straight into it.
I chose to stay in Varenna, a small, postcard-perfect village on the eastern side of Lake Como. It immediately felt like the right decision. Less polished than Bellagio, quieter than Como town, and wonderfully authentic. Cobbled lanes, faded terracotta buildings, flower-filled balconies, and that gentle rhythm of daily life that Italy does so well.
My accommodation was a small, self-contained room in a charming house just metres from the waterfront and a cluster of lovely little restaurants. It was an easy, practical base with the train station only a short walk away which made arriving and exploring completely stress-free.
My mornings were slow and simple, spent with breakfast & coffee by the water, watching ferries glide across the lake as both locals & tourists went about their day. Afternoons were for wandering the narrow streets, lingering over long lunches, and stopping far too often to admire the view. Every turn seemed to offer another moment where I had to pause and just pinch myself.
On one particularly warm summer day, I wandered down to a quiet pebbled beach and waded into the lake. The cold hit instantly. Such a contrast to the warm, salty swims I’d been having along the French Riviera. But it was fresh, clean, and incredibly invigorating. Before long, it became a favourite part of my daily routine.
One of the things I loved most about Varenna was how easy it was to explore on foot. Paths wind through the town to quaint shops and restaurants where you could happily lose a few hours. Higher up, hillside paths pass imposing, elegant villas with expansive gardens and breathtaking lake views, the kind that make you slow down without even realising it.
The ferry made exploring the rest of the lake effortless. I took a day trip across the water to Bellagio and Menaggio. Bellagio was undeniably beautiful, but noticeably busier. Menaggio felt much the same, lively and full of visitors. In the afternoon, I found myself happy to return to quieter Varenna as the crowds thinned and the village felt like it belonged to its locals again.
Lake Como has a quiet confidence about it. It does not shout for attention. It simply exists, beautiful and assured, and invites you to slow down and enjoy it. Starting my Italian journey here set the tone for the weeks that followed, unhurried, immersive, and deeply memorable.
If you are dreaming of Italy and want a beginning that feels calm, romantic, and distinctly Italian, Lake Como is a wonderful place to start.
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