Best of the Lake


Golf

The famous Menaggio & Cadenabbio Golf Club 18 hole course is both challenging & beautiful.

Golf is very popular with around 82 courses in the region of Lombardy. People are always amazed how courses can be constructed within these mountainous areas. One of these such courses on Lake Como has a world-famous course nestled on the hill above Menaggio along with many others, such as the Villa D’Este Golf Club built in 1926, which dominates Montorfano Lake above Como, has spectacular views from 1200 feet and is the host to several amateur tournaments each year. Carimate Golf Club just 18km from Como and the 9 hole Golf Club Lanzo course in Lanzo Intelvi, 28km from Menaggio. With many others scattered throughout the lake region.

Menaggio & Cadenabbia Golf Club in Grandola e Uniti, founded over 100 years ago. With a distinctly British atmosphere, the course was designed by four English gentlemen back in 1907 & only became Italian in the 50’s.

The fairways are fairly narrow and challenging, an enchanted forest, as it has been described. The golf course has magnificent views and a wonderful clubhouse with sumptuous food and a wonderful ambiance.


Local to Lenno

Lenno & the famous Villa del Balbianello, a popular Hollywood film location.

Lenno is modestly different from the other lakeside towns in that it is almost hidden by a deep inlet between the promontory of Levedo and the headland of Portezza. Lenno provides spectacular views of Bellagio and a visitor can see the famous Villa Balbianello and elegant gardens by taking a short boat-trip along the promontory. This “attractive retreat” was created by Cardinal Durini in the 18th century and is still one of the most beautiful and romantic villas on the lake.

A little further around the promontory is Richard Branson’s villa aswell. Lenno is the starting point of a coastal area, known as Tremezzina, which ends at the Maiolica. Rich in history with ancient tombs and with many important archaeological finds, Lenno has a rich Roman heritage. Not far from the village, there is Azzano, where, in an area called Giulino, that Benito Mussolini and his mistress Claretta Petacci were shot dead, in 1945. Lenno has a quiet and relaxed waterfront, with car parking, a good selection of restaurants, a lido and boat hire available. Lenno is also the starting point for a panoramic, though strenuous, hike up Monte di Tremezzo, 1,700m high.

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Menaggio, Varenna, Bellagio

Menaggio & the famous Villa La Gaeta, one of the James Bond film locations.

Menaggio is one of the most popular towns on the lake and is one of the three towns of the “Golden Triangle”; Menaggio, Bellagio and Varenna, all of which have car and passenger ferries and access to the train service in Varenna. Reached by car from Como or Lugano in Switzerland or via the pass from Porlezza on Lake Lugano, Menaggio is well placed for all Lake Como’s activities and sights! The heart of the “old” town gathered around Piazza Garibaldi close to Menaggio’s harbour, features mostly 19th-century buildings in the Italian alpine style, painted in pretty muted tones.

The higher part of the town has a more medieval feel, featuring narrow alleys, steep stairs and stone buildings. The ‘old’ and ‘new’, the shops, restaurants, cafes, public squares and alleyways, the tree-shaded lakeshore promenades bordered by flowers, and the well-kept villas form a wonderful and serene place to holiday. As with Lenno, Menaggio, like other of the principal towns on Lake Como, had become a well-known tourist retreat, attracting the very wealthy who built wonderful lakeside villas, many of which have now been converted to comfortable, sometimes grand, accommodation.