Bellagio Watches
Posted on March 2, 2009 |
Is Bellagio the Best Looking Resort at Lake Como, Italy?
By Larry O
Seen from the water, Bellagio is undoubtedly the best-looking resort on the Lake. You might say that Bellagio nestles in the crotch of the Lake. Because it’s located a little way down the western side of the promontory, Bellagio faces you ‘square on’ as you approach it on a ferry boat from Menaggio or Cadenabbia. And because the hills on the promontory are (relatively) small, the town’s handsome arrangement of red roofs and yellow, pink and white walls sits rather grandly in front of gently rounded, green slopes. It’s one of the best examples of that harmony of nature and architecture that gives Lake Como its special appeal – striking enough to earn Bellagio the title of ‘the pearl of the Lake’. But just to ward off any potential challenger for the title, the high mountains of the eastern branch contribute a spectacular, distant background to complete the perfect view.
Its location also provides Bellagio itself with spectacular views, towards the northern end of the lake and across and down both branches. These can be enjoyed from a small shingle beach at the end of the promontory – the Punta Spartivento. Bellagio has enchanted some of the greatest musicians and writers, including Longfellow, Shelley, Stendhal, Flaubert, Faure, Giordano, Liszt and Toscanini. Even Mark Twain, who preferred Lake Tahoe, described an evening in Bellagio as a ‘paradise of tranquil repose’. And it remains the favourite spot on the Lake for many American visitors, its popularity reflected in the creation of a ‘tribute’ Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas
But Bellagio is smart as well as good looking. For example, its tourist office is right there alongside the ferry point. Trip up as you disembark from the boat and you’re in danger of landing on a pile of brochures. The information includes details of hotels and other accommodation; restaurants; addresses for sporting activities, and many other services. The location of the toilet is right there, with the ferry terminal and the tourist information office. That’s how smart Bellagio is.
The list of sporting activities is particularly impressive, including information on these land based activities:
Rock climbing in the area around Bellagio
Horseriding; paragliding and hang gliding, and mountain biking, with the Cavalcalario Outdoor Club
Gym and squash at Club Francesco Conti
Tennis, including lessons, at Bellagio Sporting Club
Parachuting – tandem launches above Bellagio
Skiing in winter
Snooker table at the Bar Sport
Cinema
and details of these water-sports :
Waterskiing , at the Liquid Park Water Ski Club
Kayaking, wakeboard, wakesurf and acqua tube at the Jolly Racing Club, Lezzeno
Jetski school and rentals at Moregallo Sporting Club Nautico
Motor boats for hire, with and without driver / licence; from Cantieri Nautici in Lezzeno
Rowing courses at ‘Canottieri di Bellagio’
Swimming pool at Bellagio Sporting Club
Fishing, and underwater fishing
When you arrive at Bellagio by ferry, you step out onto a relatively traffic free lakeside with arcaded restaurants in front of the walls of large, old buildings. Behind them, the town rises quickly in imposing blocks to a historic centre dominated by the Basilica of San Giacomo – a Romanesque church prized highly enough to have been declared a national monument. The lakefront and historic centre are connected by a series of steep, narrow, cobbled alleyways.
Like many of the lakeside towns Bellagio has its fair share of churches dating from the Romanesque and later periods – in addition to S. Giacomo, there are the Romanesque churches of S. Giorgio, Santa Maria di Loppia and S. Martino, as well as the baroque S. Giovanni Battista.
But what really distinguishes Bellagio from other lakeside villages is the large number of boutiques selling locally crafted items made of wood or Como silk and luxury clothing and accessories – luggage, watches, jewellery, and so on. It’s as if all the outlets from a large airport departure lounge have been sprinkled over the town.
Bellagio is flanked by two grand villas. The Villa Serbelloni, between the town centre and the end of the promontory, is one of three five star hotels around Lake Como. It’s not the most beautiful villa on the outside but apparently delivers a powerful mix of old fashioned luxury and modern facilities. The Villa Melzi, on the other side of Bellagio, is privately owned. The hamlet of San Giovanni di Bellagio, about twenty five minutes’ walk from the centre of town, houses a unique museum of navigational instruments. That may not sound very exciting but the exhibits are incredibly beautiful, like works of art. It’s as if they had to be magnificent, to enable them to throw the net of longtitude and latitude around the globe and bring explorers safely home again. Bellagio is rightly considered one of the most romantic spots on a Lake noted for its romantic atmosphere. Liszt, while staying at the Villa Melzi, wrote: ‘Whenever you may write the story of two happy lovers, place them on the shores of Lake Como’. Not surprisingly, it’s a venue favoured by wedding planners, offering the possibility of holding the wedding, reception and honeymoon in the same general location. For those not contemplating such a drastic course of action, alternative popular nearby attractions include Menaggio and Varenna (linked by a dedicated ferry service, including car ferries); Villa Carlotta and Villa del Balbianello down the western branch; Colico, Bellano and the Abbey of Piona on the eastern lakeside, and Como, at the southern end of the Lake.