Bellagio
The lovely little town of Bellagio sits out on a promontory in the very middle of Lake Como therefore affording glorious views of the majestic mountains and Swiss and Italian Alps in the distance. Bellagio is probably the most beautiful of the entire Lago di Como region with its lush sub-tropical vegetation and abundance of hydrangea; it is visited often by crisscrossing ferry boats carting both passengers and cars from other points traversing the Lake.   Candy-colored houses rise along steep, narrow lanes to terraces overlooking the lake on three sides. Bellagio perches at the tip of the vertiginous peninsula that bisects the southern reaches of the lake, so picturesque that it has the vague appearance of a stage-set. Shops and cafés spill out onto the few flat areas between sections of stone stairs, and along the waterfront. High above is the 12th-century Basilica di San Giacomo, whose apse and columns show more detailed stone carving by Como craftsmen.

It's hard not to love Bellagio. It has long been called the pearl of Lago di Como, and the description fits perfectly: it's compact, beautiful, and flawless. If you've been to the casino of the same name in Las Vegas, strike those images from your mind - there is no comparison.

Discover Bellagio
Bellagio is easiest to discover on foot. The center of the town is closed to unauthorized vehicles therefore if you do drive through be sure to obtain registration of your license plate at your hotel otherwise you may be subjected to a fine. The main thoroughfare which is the only flat piece of land along the shores of the lake is lined with various tourist type restaurants all of which have adjunct lakeside seating; many under arbors of flowering shrubbery.

Tourist Office Bellagio Piazza della Chiesa 14, Tel. 031 951 555

The essentials of Bellagio
1) I Giardini di Villa Melzi
2) Enoteca Cava Turacciolo
3) La Punta Spartiviento
4) Madonna del Ghisallo
5) Basilica di San Giacomo

I Giardini di Villa Melzi
The villa was designed in. It fronts on Lake Como and is surrounded by a garden full of interesting plants, including Japanese maples, American redwoods, rhododendrons and azaleas. The owner was a friend of Napoleon and the garden has a statue of the goddess Pacht from his Egyptian campaign. The English styled gardens are enriched with sculptures and were designed by the architect Luigi Canonica and by the botanist Luigi Villoresi, both responsible for the arrangement of Villa Reale park in Monza.

Enoteca Cava Turacciolo
At the start of Salita Genazzini is an 18th Century cellar which has been completely restored. There is to be found a selection more of 300 labels of local and national wines which can be tasted together with selection of fishes of the lake, mixed meats and cold cuts, cheeses and pasta's plates. Qualified personnel will follow the most demanding customers in the tasting process and for eventual purchases.

La Punta Spartiviento
Walk north through Bellagio and you will find the Punta Spartiviento. It is a nice “escape" from the rest of the downtown area. The park has a great lakeside view & benches to sit down and relax. Once you arrive, you'll notice it's in front of a restaurant and there is a good walking path for you to stroll all the way to the waterfront and maybe even sit on the concrete walls. The view of Lake Como and the Alps are beautiful and the location itself serene and peaceful.

Madonna del Ghisallo
Madonna del Ghisallo is a hill in Magreglio, close to Lake Como in Italy. It is named after an alleged Marian apparition. It provides amazing views and you can visit a good cycling museum and a lovely chapel. It is located about 6 miles from Bellagio and a public bus takes you there.

Basilica di San Giacomo
Bellagio’s most interesting Romanesque church is the Basilica di San Giacomo which was built in the 12^th century by master builders from Como. It is on Piazza della Chiesa in the center of Bellagio.

Excursions
Como
Como is just a a short drive away from Bellagio. The town of Como has many silk factories so if you want to buy silk Como is a good place to go. Como also has a Silk Museum dating from 1900 where you can see the entire silk-making process.

Lugano
A meandering Lake of Lugano and uncountable hills and mountains are surrounding Lugano and the area around it. Lugano is the third financial place in Switzerland after Zurich and Geneva and a holiday destination for many Swiss since the end of 1800's. Along the lake you see lots of Venetian-type villages, showing of the closeness of its neighbor Italy. Words and pictures cannot describe its beauty.

Restaurants
Bilacus – Seafood (Salita Serbelloni 32 – 031 950 480)
Barchetta – Pasta, pizza and seafood (Salita Mella 13 – 031 951 389)
Trattoria San Giacomo – Italian (Salitta Serbelloni 45 – 031 950 329)