Sampling the inimitable cuisine and culture of Lombardy: Part 2, The Italian Lakes edition

During two recent weeks of both personal time and travel with National Trust Tours in Milan and Lake Como we sampled a variety of delectable foods, visited a number of remarkable historic sites, walked the old streets of thriving communities, and engaged with welcoming locals and curious visitors from around the world.

Part 2 highlights our week in Como.

After spending personal time in Milan, the capital of the Lombardy region (as captured in Part 1 of this review), Candice and I joined fellow travelers in Como for our National Trust Tours excursion to the Italian Lakes and Lombardy.

The Italian Lake District of northern Italy has captivated visitors for centuries.

The two main lakes, Como and Maggiore, are deep blue glacial lakes. With a maximum depth of almost 1,400 feet, Como is the deepest lake in Italy and one of the deepest in Europe. Surrounding the lakes are coastal villages and Alpine peaks. (We were about 15 miles from the Swiss boarder.)

We were headquartered at the Palace Hotel that sits on the shores of Lake Como, a central place for our walking, boat, and bus tours.

Candice and I took two main boat excursions during the week where we saw beautiful Renaissance and Gothic architecture, spent time in Bellagio, joined a fascinating half-day tour of Como’s historic silk industry, and toured the enchanting Villa del Balbianello, a property of FAI (the Italian National Trust). And, of course, we ate delicious Italian cuisine.

This photo essay walks you through these seven days in Como and the Italian Lake District.

STREETSCAPES OF COMO

In addition to a guided tour of the city of Como, there were many days when we walked through parts of the old city to visit a restaurant or simply to further our individual explorations. From the Gothic Duomo . . .

. . . to the 12th century gate tower and walls . . .

from Volta Square (named for the inventor of the battery) to the 13th century town hall, there was always something of interest around the corner.

One day during the trip we also learned more about Como’s historic silk industry, with a tour to the silk museum followed by a visit to the modern Kokun silk factory where fabrics known to designers and the fashion-conscious the world over are created and woven.

LAKE MAGGIORE AND ISOLA BELLA

A true highlight of the week was the 17th century Palazzo Borromeo on Isola Bella. The baroque palace with its astounding collection of art and antiques was a treat on a rainy morning.

Palazzo Borromeo (credit: official website . . . it was pouring down rain when we arrived and we weren’t going to see a view like this)

“The Salone Nuovo, the largest room in the Palazzo, is a luminous and stately space whose pale blue walls are accented with gilded stucco details, creating a sense of celestial elegance. Modeled on the church of San Lorenzo in Milan, the room is crowned by a domed ceiling bearing the Borromeo family motto, Humilitas. Four marble brackets, decorated with intricate inlays and supported by the main pillars, display family emblems: a seated camel (patience), a unicorn (devotion), a horse’s bit (strength), and a cedar tree (representing the Isole Borromee).”
Palazzo website

“The water-level grottos captivate with their creativity and originality. Designed to enchant visitors, they also offer a cool retreat during the summer months. Step into a marine-inspired world where walls, ceilings, and floors are adorned with pebbles, shells, marble, and fragments of volcanic rock. In these six grottos, every detail is meticulously arranged to form intricate patterns and decorative motifs. Along the way, you’ll encounter busts of heroes and deities, as well as display cases holding urns, vases, porcelain, and other treasures. From outside, the gentle lapping of the lake provides a soothing soundtrack.”
Palazzo website

Thankfully the skies cleared just in time for a tour of the lush gardens full of flowers, statuary, and white peacocks.

VILLA DEL BALBIANELLO AND BELLAGIO

Another day featured a boat tour on Lake Como. We began with an hour’s ride viewing the villas, hotels, and coastal towns along the way.

Our first stop was Villa del Balbianello, a site of FAI, the Italian National Trust. It is a magnificent property—a treasure chest of memories and explorations—that I first visited with the International National Trusts Organisation (INTO) Executive Committee ten years ago. It remains a jewel in FAI’s crown.

Photo of Villa del Balbianello by Elizabeth Cullen on Unsplash

Garden view from Villa del Balbianello in 2016 by DJB

That was followed by time in Bellagio, often described as the most beautiful town in Italy. It features a promenade, cobblestone streets, picturesque alleyways, and a variety of building styles.

Bellagio (photo by T. Selin Erkan on Unsplash)

On our final day of travel we gathered at Villa del Balbianello for a NTT group photo.

CUISINE, AS ALWAYS

There were opportunities for both group meals and private dining during this tour. We took advantage of the latter to visit two Michelin rated restaurants in Como: Dieci Nodi Bistrot (seafood inspired by the Italian Coastal tradition) . . .

. . . and Feel Como (a small six table dining experience of locally sourced seasonal dishes). Our good friend from our years in Staunton, Virginia—Bizzy Lane—joined us on the tour and at both of these dinners. What a treat on multiple fronts!