Lake Como received and posted

I received and gladly posted...

Welcome to Lake Como

Lake Como, one of the most famous lakes of Northern Italy, is not only a favorite destination for Italians, it is also and above all a prime destination for holiday makers from Northern Europe who come to catch a glimpse of the Mediterranean in an area cradled by the surrounding mountains. Another big attraction is the mild climate enjoyed by Lake Como all year round.

What are the most interesting places around Lake Como? First there's Bellagio, a beautiful village overlooking Lake Como which lies exactly halfway between the Lakes two “arms”. After a walk along Via Garibaldi, the town's main street, you will come to St. James' Basilica and Villa Serbelloni, as well as Villa Melzi with its magnificent gardens.

Then there's the attractive small town of Laglio which became famous after Hollywood star George Clooney chose to buy a beautiful holiday home there. What is there to see in Laglio? Well, there's the seventeenth-century Church of San Giorgio and, worth a visit in the nearby in the hamlet of Vergonzano, is the elegant Melograno Villa, also known as Fasola, as well as the charming medieval village of Brienno.

Finally there's the ancient village of Menaggio with its stunning views over Lake Como and its own quaint harbor. In the old town the Church of S. Stefano is worth seeing, as is the Church of Santa Marta, and along Via Calvi built on the ruins of a castle is the Church of San Carlo, and the Madonna della Pace Sanctuary. Above Menaggio sits a castle of which only two towers remain. Dating from the tenth century, the castle overlooks the Senagra stream.

For more information on Lake Como and northern Italy's other lovely lakes and to find out about local festivals, shows, concerts, exhibitions, and sporting events, visit the Italy Lakes.net blog (http://www.italylakes.net/).

To book a holiday or a short stay in the Como area, try Vacanze Lago (http://www.vacanzelago.com/en/index.php), a tour operator that specializes in organizing vacations in the areas around northern Italy's lakes.