Hurricane Satellite Weather Tracking - View Hurricane Weather Track

Lake Como, Italy - My View Of The Lake

Just a short bus ride, 25 miles north of Milan, is one of the most scenic spots in all of Italy - Lake Como. Its shores are circled with charming little towns and fabulous century-old villas; one larger, and more ornate than the next. The glistening water beckons one to sit, and take time to enjoy all that the lake and surrounding lush scenery have to offer. Lake Como being the third largest lake in Italy, I found it not only tranquil, but magical. With its lush Mediterranean gardens and spectacular views, it is easy to see why it has earned the reputation as one of the most romantic getaways in Italy.

Traveling with my husband, son and daughter-in-law, we were all pleased to arrive at the hotel we had reserved for our stay. The Hotel Bellevue was our unanimous choice. Built in 1820, it neighbors the stately Villa Carlotta. On arrival we were pleased to see that the hotel was situated just feet from Lake Como. The hotel itself was lovely. It had wonderful charm, gardens, antique furnishings, and an outdoor swimming pool. The lobby was stately with a huge Venetian chandelier and a great sweeping staircase. Art adorned every wall. The rooms were lovely, with antique furniture, and soft Italian linens.

After unpacking and settling into our rooms, it was time to explore. No sooner had we left the hotel when we spotted a charming restaurant called ?The Victorian Tea Garden," which sat right on the banks of Lake Como. We were seated at a lovely outdoor table covered in crisp white linen. To our delight, a grapevine-covered pergola hung overhead. But what really stole the scenery was the breathtakingly beautiful view of the Swiss Alps. These majestic mountains circled the shoreline and provided a stunning backdrop to the dark, marine-blue waters of Lake Como. It left us with the impression that we had traveled back in time. The owner ? a gentleman who looked in his 80?s - was very hospitable and could not have made us feel more welcome. We ordered Champaign, and toasted each other (and our magnificent setting) with tall, chilled glasses. We sat there in appreciation and awe of the spectacular setting for the next two hours, finishing two bottles of Champaign!

With the sun beginning to set, we returned to the Hotel Bellevue for a relaxing, fabulous dinner. Then, to cap off the evening, we ferried over to Bellagio, the famed, picturesque Italian resort village. Narrow, cobblestone streets were lined with old shops, restaurants and churches. My advice? Don?t leave Bellagio without visiting the shops, as here you will find some of the most wonderful silk scarves and ties - not to mention leather goods - in all of Italy.

There was little traffic on Bellagio. This made it ideal for walking and taking the sights in. Bellagio is completely unspoiled, and possesses the grace and charm of "old world living." It was also very clear that the Bellagio residents loved their gardens, and kept them well tended.

The wide area of Lake Como offers inexhaustible things to do for tourists. It is an ideal place to vacation with family. For those who desire relaxation, the tranquil scenery of the lake surroundings is sure to please. Lake Como is also perfect for anyone looking for a more active vacation; swimming, water-skiing, sailing, hiking, mountain-biking, and horseback riding await. Day mountain excursion trips are also worthwhile ventures. These trips offer the most breath-taking views of the lake and surrounding areas.

Boat excursions from Lake Como are a must. Ferry service will take you to local monuments and exquisite villas, as well as to lovely lakeside towns (I recommend the picturesque town of Varenna.) Or, you may also choose a ferry excursion to neighboring Switzerland. The Swiss town of Lugano offers great shopping, though it is expensive, so bring credit cards.

If spectacular works of art, classical Italian gardens, and elegant, period settings are your interest, I recommend a visit to the famed Villa Carlotta, located in the town of Tremezzo. It offers spectacular landscaped gardens, while the villa is a must-see for antique lovers. The Duomo, better known as the "Renaissance Cathedral", is another spectacular must-see. It?s located in the town center of Como.

Shopping adventures (and treasures) await at any one of the lakeside towns, as do epicurean delights. Taste regional products like olive oil, wine, and cheese in the numerous lakeside shops, restaurants, and cafes.

In the evening, enjoy a glass of wine at one of the local wine bars, and relax before eating at one of the many memorable restaurants that the area has to offer. Most restaurants offer regional or modern cuisine. After dinner, treat yourself to a night of music and dance in local discos; most stay open until sunrise. Or, as my family and I enjoy doing, take an evening walk along the lake before retiring to read a good book.

Lake Como is fabulous unlike any other place. It possesses spectacular views, lush, tranquil settings; fine Italian architecture, elegant, by-gone charm, and warm, hospitable people. With its unspoiled grace and charm, Lake Como offers its guests the opportunity to experience an enchanting slice of life which is relaxed, elegant, and breathtakingly beautiful. It is a place where you will be drawn back to time and time again. Perhaps on a sunny day in your own backyard, your daydreams will beckon you to the shores of Lake Como.

Sharon Stajda loves writing about her travels abroad. For further information on the Italian Lakes and Lake Como, please visit our website at: http://www.oldandsold.com/articles23/italian-lakes-14.shtml

MORE ARTICLES:

Pensacola Lawyer Launches ‘Florida Hurricane Hotline™’ for 2006 Hurricane Season
Attorney Samuel Bearman has launched the Florida Hurricane Hotline™ to help answer people's questions on hurricane law, insurance and other hurricane-related questions. The toll free number is (800) 760-6065 and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Hurricane Katrina's Delicious Aftermath in New Orleans Wins an International Award
Author Amy Cyrex Sins has recently been honored with an international cookbook award from Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. Post-Katrina, award-winning cookbook from the Big Easy gets International attention; features Cajun, Creole, and Louisiana home cooking; famous restaurant recipes; and stories of hope from those who love New Orleans while helping charity in the process.

Results of Global-View.com Monthly Forex Tracking Survey
The results for the Global-View.com monthly forex sentiment survey conducted on December 3-5. The results show U.S. dollar sentiment deteriorated vs. the euro and jpy.

Hurricane Season Easier to Weather with Launch of Generatorstore.com
New Internet site offers sales and delivery of popular Guardian and Generac emergency power generators to consumers and businesses nationwide.

Leading Tarp Manufacturer Prepares For Major 2008 Hurricane Weather Season
A1 Tarps, a California-based manufacturer of tarps and hurricane preparedness supplies prepares for "above average" 2008 hurricane season in the Atlantic basin with 15 named storms predicted between June 1st and November 30th.

Watch Satellite TV On PC Online Without Viewing Restrictions
People can now watch satellite TV on PC online without viewing restrictions. A few years back then, we were still watching satellite TV on our TV sets right there in our sofas in the living room. It was quite a common sight in many American families. However, today, the whole scene has changed and you can now watch satellite TV on PC using a modem connection. Issue is do you need to set up your computer such that you can watch satellite TV on PC online without viewing restrictions?

June 2005: Weather Forecasts for Weather Traders
If Johannes Kepler, the renowned 17th century astronomer and discoverer of the planetary laws of motion, could speak from the heavenlies, he might have a few words of wisdom to share with the National Weather Service. Although Kepler's name is not normally associated with meteorology, he was quite the weather forecaster in his day.

Weather Decision Technologies Unveils Automated Weather Warning System for International Airports
Dubai International Airport is first venue to deploy aviation weather decision support system.

July 2005: Hurricane Forecasts for Weather Traders
Tropical Storm Arlene formed as a tropical depression on June 8, 2005 near 83 West Longitude and 17 North Latitude. Although Dr.

Hurricane Katrina, A Personal View
A publication “Hurricane Katrina – A Personal View” shows what the people of the Mississippi Gulf Coast came home to after the storm ravaged the region. A comprehensive collection of photographs depicts the aftermath of the storm throughout the Gulf Coast region.

Dish Network Satellite Tv Brings A World Of Viewing Opportunities
Gone are the days when all you needed was a rabbit ear antenna to bring the most popular television stations into your home. Television has evolved from a pastime where viewers were content to watch whatever was on to an obsession where people feel addicted to particular shows and cannot go without seeing them.

Follow the Path to Literacy with Training from Parents as Teachers National Center
Interactive Training identifies the five stepping stones for children's overall development.

Bourbon Orleans New Orleans Hotel Invites Guests to Enjoy Christmas New Orleans Style
The Bourbon Orleans New Orleans Hotel, located in central New Orleans, is offering guests front row access to Christmas in the French Quarter this season. The Papa Noel rate, with rates as low as $94.00, allows guests to discover the wonders of New Orleans at Christmas. The historic New Orleans French Quarter Hotel is also offering guests a traditional Reveillon dinner at the hotel's signature restaurant Paillard's.

Vino at the View - The Beginning: Wine Tasting with an Unbridled View of Las Vegas
View 215 presents its first ever, Seasonal Las Vegas wine tasting event, "Vino at the View - The Beginning".

Hurricane Season 2007 Satellite Phone Rental Packages Now Available
All Road Communications announces special package deals for satellite phone rentals for the upcoming 2007 Hurricane Season.