Bellagio

Welcome to Bellagio, Bel-lah-jo, a place often heralded as the Pearl of Lake Como due to its unparalleled aesthetic and strategic position. As we stand here at the intersection of the lake’s three branches, you are witnessing a…

We begin our exploration along the Lungolago Europa, the elegant waterfront promenade that serves as Bellagio’s primary interface with the lake. This path is a masterclass in nineteenth-century landscape urbanism, designed to…

Now, we turn away from the water to ascend Salita Serbelloni, Sah-lee-tah Ser-bel-loh-nee, perhaps the most photogenic and iconic stairway in all of Lake Como. These steep lanes are a defining characteristic of Bellagio’s old…

We emerge into Piazza Giuseppe Mazzini, the vibrant heart of Bellagio where the town’s civic and social life converges. This square is a testament to the Italian concept of the piazza as an outdoor living room. …

Leaving the piazza, we walk along Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, the main thoroughfare of the upper town. This street runs parallel to the lake but is elevated, providing a different perspective on the town's layout. …

Our walk leads us finally to the northernmost tip of the peninsula, known as Punta Spartivento, Poon-tah Spar-tee-ven-toh. The name literally translates to 'the point that divides the wind,' and it is here that the nature of Lake…

As we conclude our journey through Bellagio, I hope you have gained an appreciation for why this town has earned its title as the Pearl of Lake Como. We have moved from the grand, nineteenth-century elegance of the waterfront to…