While today it might be best known as a summer retreat for Hollywood film stars like George Clooney, Lake Como has been famous since the age of the Roman Empire. In fact the seminal historians Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger were natives of Como. The lake gained international acclaim between the 18th and the 19th centuries, first with the triumph of the so-called “villa civilization,” and then with the development of the tourist elite and international celebrities. As a result, Lake Como became an obligatory stop for travelers and writers visiting Italy. The long list of those who have written about the lake include Bourget, De Musset, Longfellow, Stendhal, and Flaubert.

Today, Lake Como offers a unique combination of a beautiful natural setting with historic and cultural attractions alongside shopping and spa opportunities. And all of this is concentrated into a relatively small area, making Lake Como easy to explore at your leisure, particularly by boat. Most of the attractions and hotels are located on the coast between Como, Tremezzo, and Bellagio, and you can choose from splashy luxury to more modest hotels.