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· Europe · italy · Lake Como

Grand Hotel Tremezzo Palace etc.

Author: Andžela Blate0 COMMENTS

Como, Garda and Maggiore are three great Italian lakes. Thousands of tourists and tired-out locals come there every year, seeking respite from hustle and bustle of their daily lives. Yet, Como seems to be the most attractive of them - with fewer tourists, fewer hotels, and alluring aura of bygone centuries still alive. There is something inherently Italian and antique about it...19th- 20th century villas rise along its beaches, and existing construction restrictions preserve the authentic quality of this area. No Hilton and Sheraton off-springs to be seen - just family-owned villas with typical boat docks - right under the house.
The Lake Como is renowned for its fantastic parks - hundreds of hectares of green wealth, with amazing diversity of colors, aromas and fine garden architecture. At times it seems that perfectly trimmed bushes cannot even be real. Hours pass by, wandering through picturesque paths, marveling at splashing fountains and multi-colored flowerbeds. Some park areas spread over hillsides, with breathtaking views down to the lake opening up. It's not for nothing that George Clooney and Richard Branson have villas at the Lake Como.
Lively boat and ferry traffic daily crisscrosses the lake. You may live on one side and easily have a meal on the other, just choose the right spot to get off! Or go to a lovely mid-lake island with just a single restaurant on it. Charming are also small lakeside towns, like Lecco, Bellagio, Tremezzo and others, with 19the century architecture and tiny, narrow streets, hardly wide enough for two cars to pass each other. Consequently, traffic is pretty slow, maximum speed never reaching much over 40 km/h.
Lake Como holiday season lasts for about half a year. As soon as autumn sets in, thousands of foreigners and local Italian elite vanishes, as if by magic. Only locals and service staff stays. Waiting for the coming spring...

Grand Hotel Tremezzo Palace, Tremezzo

Beginning of the 20th century charm, luxury and modern comfort - all melt together there. Grand Hotel Tremezzo is one of the oldest ones on the Lake Como. It is unforgettable experience to enjoy an authentic historic aura, five-star service and breathtaking Lake Como landscape there. Built in 1910 and managed by an Italian family now, the hotel has outlived several proprietors and endured two world wars. The current owners have preserved the villa from the "long hand" of multinational hotel chains' and cherish its unique, deep routed traditions with great pride and persistence. Hotel has more than 90 rooms and apartments and is surrounded by an old park. It extends for many hectares, breathing out freshness and floral aromas that you wish to take it in and savor to the fullest!
Spirit of the time is alive not only in the architecture and a façade of the villa but its interior as well, featuring soft pastel colors, vintage furniture, antique art items and bathrooms decked out in marble. Outside, two swimming pools offer refreshment, one of them situated in the midst of the ancient park. The greatest surprise, however, is "water on the water" - a swimming pool ingenuously sited on the blue waters of the Lake Como! A slightly swaying wooden plank-way leads into it and, swimming there, one can feel movements of the pool itself! Water of a nearby fountain washes over steps of three large stairs and its soft purl reminds waves, rippling against a shore.
The service is more than you can ever expect! A fantastic care surrounds you on every step. A hotel's restaurant offers a truly outstanding dining experience, featuring excellent, traditional Italian cuisine. It is pretty pricy as well - in step of its high standards.

Rates from 240 euro

Via Regina, 8 - 22019 Tremezzo
Lake Como - Italy
Phone: +39 0344 42491
Fax +39 0344 40201
www.tremezzopalace.com

La Darsena, Tremezzo

Although less flooded with tourists then Lake Garda, with less extensive choice of hotels too, Como, along with its five-star accommodations has some alternative lodgings as well. La Darsena, for example, offers more than value for money hotels usually do. Its location alone - at the very lakeside, is more than one can dream of! Water comes to the very threshold, just 13 rooms and a gorgeous view of the lake Como opens up from a romantic terrace. A boat pier is only few meters away.
Its first-rate restaurant treats you deliciously, even if you are not lucky enough to be among the hotel's guests. Its menu offers excellent, traditional Italian cuisine - seafood, pastas and ravioli, served on classical, white-clad tables in a lovely atmosphere. Don't be too surprised seeing the owner himself, his brother or other family members working along with uniformed waiters. They gladly attend guests, bringing forth a nice, personalized touch that makes your meal even more pleasurable!

Rates starting from 80 euro

Via Regina, 3, 22019 Tremezzo
Phone: 0039 0344 43 166
Fax: 0039 0344 40 029
E-mail: info@hotelladarsena.it
www.hotelladarsena.it

El Timon, Tremezzo

A charming, much-favored by locals' pizzeria, a short walking distance from Grand Hotel Tremezzo. El Timon brims over with genuine Italian spirit, features green-white tablecloths and plain wooden chairs. Sizzling, oven-baked pizzas fill the room with appetizing aroma and tasty pastas and dishes for fish lovers are equally good. The owner himself, balancing several plates in his hands hustles among the tables, exchanging a friendly word with his guests, here and there. Amazingly, but his shirt shines brilliant white even after several hours of work...

Via Portici S.Pietro, 12, 22019 Tremezzo
Phone: 0344 42172

La Punta, Bellagio

A must to visit due to its fantastic location, a restaurant La Punta is sited in a small town of Bellagio and lies on the very tip of the headland. Indeed, you are in the very middle of the Lake Como there! Water stretches all around, splashing just about 30 meters from your table. No other houses near, no commotion - just smooth and serene surface of the lake. Softly night draws closer - the sun sets and a light mist envelopes distant mountains. La Punta marks the very centre of the Lake Como, as three branches of the huge lake opens up to your sight here.
Foodies will be delighted by a marvelous cuisine, offering traditional Italian pastas, fresh lake fish and home-made tiramisu. The service, as elsewhere in Italy, is flawless as well.

Via E.Vitali 19
22021 BELLAGIO
Phone: +39 031 9518 88
www.bellagio.co.nz/punta/index.html

Bilacus, Bellagio

Bellagio centre features scenic, cobbled streets and a lovely garden, breathing fragrant southern freshness. Hiding in a maze of narrow streets, restaurant Bilacus is definitely worth a visit, although you might miss the fabulous Lake Como view there. Yet, a delicious meal on a charming terrace, surrounded by plants and flowers, is guaranteed. A rich bouquet of savory aromas and excellent ravioli and risotto, to treat your taste buds!

Via Serbelloni 32, Bellagio, 22021
Phone: +39 (031) 950480

Useful Information

- You can hire a motorboat and enjoy a tour around the lake, rates starting from 120 euro.

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