Seeking romance, old-world charm, spectacular scenery, and the cuisine of your dreams? Then book a vacation to the Italian Lakes region. Your family will love living la dolce vita (we sure did!). During our two-week European winter vacation, we chose to visit this region’s mountains, gardens, and lakes for a three-day stop, with Como as our home base.
My family fell in love with the Italian Lakes a few years back during our summer visit. Our most recent winter vacation to the Lake Como area added an almost magical feeling to our experiences.
From soaking in cheerful holiday light displays, to enjoying the festive sights and sounds of traditional Christmas markets, to touring gorgeous lakeside towns, we adored spending our holidays in the Italian Lakes region.
The perfect visit to the southern Italian Lakes blends time spent in the vibrant setting of the largest lakeside town of Como with the surrounding jewel-like towns of Bellagio, Menaggio, and Varenna. Here are our top ten tips for planning an Italian Lakes Region winter vacation.
1. Visit a Villa
No trip to the Italian Lakes region is complete without strolling through the gardens of a villa. We visited Varenna’s Villa Monastero, open on select days during the winter season.
We felt like extras on The White Lotus set, strolling through the lakeside palazzo’s lush botanical gardens. This villa is one of the best spots for a photo shoot for your crew.
Everywhere you look, literally everywhere, glamor oozes from the villa’s grounds. We enjoyed a healthy dose of history as we meandered through the fourteen-room House Museum.
Villa Monastero’s timeline extends back to when it was a women’s monastery in the 12th century. In 1939, Villa Monastero was donated to the state for the public’s benefit. Interestingly, more than sixty Nobel Prize winners have taken physics lessons over the summers at this villa!
If you stay in Como and don’t have time to explore the other lake towns, you are in luck. Directly across from the Hilton Lake Como, you’ll find the fabulous Villa Olmo. Completed in 1812, this neoclassical lakeside villa hosts cultural events and sports a mega park.
2. See a Show
A big plus about staying in Como is taking in a show at the world-famous Teatro Sociale, with the Como Opera House as the stage. Dating back to 1813, this grand neoclassical Opera House is built upon the remnants of a medieval castle.
The opulent interior, decorated with deep red hues and golden accents, is the ideal backdrop for immersing your family in Italian culture. Marvel at the elaborately painted ceiling as you sit in seats once occupied by guests in the 1800s who watched famed violinist Nicolò Paganini and pianist Franz Liszt.
Today, Teatro Sociale hosts a wide variety of entertainment options, such as operas, ballets, dance troupes, and musical performances. For those traveling with children, the Teatro offers a robust schedule of family-friendly events, including dramas, puppet shows, and theater workshops.
3. Have an Italian Lake Town or Two or Three all to Yourself
A massive perk of visiting Como off-season is that you can soak in all the beauty of the neighboring lakefront towns with practically (and, at times, literally) no one else in sight. We arrived at Bellagio, known as the “Pearl of Lake Como,” at 9:00 AM in late December and were able to photograph the famous street, Salita Serbelloni…utterly devoid of tourists!
Explore the narrow alleys and streets that begin at the lake and lead up many steps to beautiful views. As you stroll, you’ll discover one-of-a-kind boutiques, perfume shops, wine cellars, and cafes.
We loved walking to the tip of the town at Punta Spartivento, where you can sit in a tranquil park and capture some of the best panoramic views of the lake and snow-capped mountains.
In one day, we sampled the beauty and charm of three lakeside towns: Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio. We meandered along Varenna’s waterside lover’s promenade, leading to Riva Grande, where we grabbed a gelato and coffee.
We capped off our Varenna visit at the Villa Monastero and its breathtaking botanical gardens full of colorful specimens. At Menaggio, we walked along the lakefront promenade, shopped at some lovely boutiques, and explored a few quaint historic churches. What a perfect day!
TIP: Check with your hotel concierge to figure out the best ferry schedule for the day to fit in all the towns you plan to visit. The ferries run less frequently in low season; some are fast, and others are quite slow. If short on time, consider the ‘hop-on, hop-off’ ferry that stops at towns closer to your home base of Como, such as Cernobbio, Torno, and Moltrasio.
4. Rest and Recharge
A big benefit of visiting during winter is that many hotels in the region offer reduced off-season rates. Our stay at the luxurious Hilton Lake Como elevated our trip into a true vacation.
We enjoyed the Hilton’s tastefully decorated and spacious suites with modern decor, huge bathrooms, a walk-in closet, and a large living room. We found our time at the Hilton to be a heavenly break from the hectic pace of our two-week European trip.
The hotel sits across from the lake, minutes from restaurants, a romantic villa, boat rides, and a quick taxi or stroll to the train station in the middle of town. This Hilton is a luxury resort housed in a renovated historic silk factory. You can easily spend one full day on-site.
Start your day with the extensive breakfast buffet in Satin, then head to the rooftop infinity pool to soak in one of the world’s best mountainside and lake views (the heated pool is open all year round!), take a dip in the hot tub, and then eat lunch at one of several spots at the Hilton.
Spa and Tea
Next, head to the hotel’s eforea Spa and Health Club (winner of the World Luxury Spa Awards in 2021). You can book a massage, facial or other beauty treatment, soak in the indoor heated pool and whirlpool, and check out the relaxation bed. Maybe, even take a fitness class at the gym or hop on the treadmill.
Take your pick of high tea in the Glass Cube Lobby or aperitivo in the Taffeta Classic Bar (fabulous cocktails accompanied by a tower of beautifully served bite-size appetizers). When you’re ready for more, head upstairs to the rooftop to dine on innovative dishes at the upscale Terrazza241 Bar & Restaurant. Some nights you can even listen to live DJ sets at Terrazza241.
The Hilton’s friendly staff went out of their way to make our stay as comfortable and memorable as possible, by recommending the best ferries to take, arranging a safe transfer to the airport, and helping us plan our days to maximize our sightseeing.
TIP: Explore Lake Como, located across from the hotel, any way you want: on foot, by bike, by Vespa, by boat, or even by seaplane!
5. Dine at Local Haunts
When we travel to a new region, we prioritize selecting restaurants and cafés where we can meet locals and sample authentic regional specialties. For those who prefer more upscale dining experiences, plan ahead and book at one of Como’s many restaurants featuring a variety of cuisines.
Here are a few of our favorite spots, which are all reasonably priced and casual:
- Centoventicinque Bar Pizzeria: Just steps away from the Hilton Lake Como, this totally laid-back bar and cozy open-kitchen pizzeria offers a mind-boggling huge menu of pizzas. We loved that the owner seemed to greet everyone who walked in by name.
- L’Ideale: Also close to the Hilton Lake Como, we felt like family while dining at L’Ideale. With tasty pasta and pizzas, this bright restaurant boasts a menu certain to please your whole crew. Our delicious dinner included gnocchi, ravioli, and thick-crust pizza.
- Osteria del Pain: For distinctive local dishes, this unpretentious local bistro located on a hidden side street near the Como train station offers creative regional dishes and homemade pastas. Our favorite dish of the night featured a beautiful burgundy-hued risotto flavored with red wine and pecorino cheese. Mmm!
- Passion Como: For about five euro a sandwich, this hole-in-the-wall does it all the right way. The friendly owner treats each sandwich as a work of art as he expertly blends your choices of top-notch charcuterie and cheeses, an insane number of topping choices, and truly delicious vegetarian options. Pair your sandwich with an affordable glass of wine or cappuccino. Sit at the counter or outside on a bench while watching shoppers pass by.
6. Shop ‘til You Drop
Como’s winding alleys and piazzas invite you to get lost while navigating streets brimming with over 1,000 boutiques, cafes, and stores. Stroll along the Via Vittorio Emanuele, the main shopping street in the town center.
Stop in The Coin department store for reasonably priced clothing, perfume, cosmetics, and jewelry. Enjoy the beautiful setting as you wander the cobblestone streets, popping in and out of designer stores. The core of the shopping area is a quick walk away from the fabulous Lake Como shoreline and the Teatro Sociale.
7. Day Trip to Milan
With a short forty-minute train ride from Como, you can spend a day in the buzzing capital of Italy’s Lombardy region, Milan. While Milan is always a treat, a Christmas-time visit is spectacular.
In one day, you can see Leonardo’s famous Last Supper, marvel at the architectural wonder of the Duomo di Milano. Window shop at the Galleria (among the most-famous high-end shopping arcades in the world).
Stroll along the Navigli canal region, tour the famous La Scala opera house, and shop the Christmas markets. Other nearby day trips from Como include Lugano, a quant Swiss lake town, and Monza, famous for its Grand Prix motor racing circuit.
TIP: Book your ticket to the Last Supper before you travel to Milan.
8. Learn to Cook Classic Italian Cuisine
Whether your crew wants to learn to cook authentic pizza, stuff your own ravioli, make your own pasta dinner, or whip up a tiramisu, this lake region has a class for you. Consider booking from a variety of classes offered in local chefs’ homes such as those offered through top-rated Cesarine. Cesarine’s classes range in price, duration, and cuisine.
We also heard glowing reviews of CasaMas Como’s cooking classes, which are hosted in a beautiful garden-like setting. Some restaurants and bars in town provide wine and charcuterie tastings.
9. Get Out on the Water
A must when visiting this region is to experience the lake, the towns, and the surrounding snow-capped mountains—all from a boat. The lake’s gem-like villages take your breath away as you approach them from the water.
Pick the journey that appeals most to you—whether you book a pricier private speed boat tour with champagne and dinner, a water taxi that quickly zips you from villa to villa, or the cost-effective large ferries —you will be so glad you took a boat ride.
10. Experience Christmas in Como
Christmas time in Como is enchanting. The entire town is decked out in twinkling lights. You’ll be mesmerized by even cooler video projections on Como’s beautiful historical buildings.
The welcoming Christmas markets in the piazzas boast aisles of local treats and handmade crafts. And best of all, the Citta Dei Balocchi features weeks’ worth of family-friendly events celebrating the festive season. Kids (and kids at heart) will enjoy taking a spin on the pop-up ice and roller rinks and trying out the amusement park rides.
The Italian Lakes region will delight your whole family, any time of year. While I loved visiting during the summer, our recent Italian Lakes region winter vacation exceeded my expectations.
We appreciated seeing the romantic lakeside towns devoid of crowds, wandering the Christmas markets, and feeding off the energy of the season. Based just an hour from Milan and its two airports, this region is the perfect destination or add-on to any European vacation.
DISCLAIMER
The author was provided with discounted and/or complimentary tours and meals so that she could try them and review them for your information. All opinions are her own. All images courtesy of Lisa Grabelle unless otherwise noted.
About the Author
This guest post was written by Lisa Grabelle. Lisa, a travel writer for Hilton Hotels, has been traveling all her life…38 countries and loving it! Originally from the sunny skies of Miami, Lisa, a former lawyer, lives near Philadelphia. Travel is her passion. As soon as one vacation ends, Lisa busily plans her next adventure for her non-stop family of adventurers. Lisa’s motto is “don’t just visit the destination…live it!” You can follow Lisa on Twitter or Instagram.
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