Settled among the beautiful Italian Alps and just south of the border of Switzerland, lies the pristine and opulent Italian lake district and Lake Como. Lake Como is a glacial lake and one of the deepest in Europe. Around its shores are dotted many stunningly beautiful large medieval palaces and royal villas with their well manicured lawns featuring both tropical and semi tropical palms and plants.
Lake Come reeks of old European aristocrat money, as its been a Roman and later royal refuge for centuries. The air has a fresh crispness about it, and the clouds often roll gently down from the mountainside encasing it in a thick misty fog. Its beauty and elegance is unmatched by almost any place.
Many celebrities as George Clooney and Tom Cruise own medieval palaces along its shore. This is a most inspirational place I would think for both artists, poets, songwriters and photographers. Many movies have used it as a backdrop as in Star Wars Attack of the Clones, Ocean’s Twelve and the James Bond movie "Casino Royale".
Its beauty even inspired a casino in Las Vegas - The Bellagio. It has often been said this is one of the most beautiful places in all of Italy and I would have to agree. There are many old medieval towns that line its shoreline as Bellagio, Menaggio and Varenna to name but a few. Each different but with their own old world charms as cobble stoned streets, churches, narrow alleyways and cafes serving fresh seafood and fine Italian wines.
Getting there: International and European flights service Milan's Linate and Malpensa airports. Trains from Milan also stop in Como. Drive distance out of Milan is 52 km, however driving in Italy is frustrating as the highways are not well marked and the drivers are crazy.
See my Youtube link:
For more pictures see my website: www.thetimetraveler.net