Lake Como is rich in history, culture, natural beauty and art. One of the major attractions of the Lake is undoubtedly the sumptuous villas that are found around its shores.

In Bellagio's Villa Melzi you can admire the beautiful gardens which are world famous, and Villa Serbelloni, situated on the promontory where Pliny the Younger owned a villa called Tragoedia.

With a short and scenic boat trip you can reach:

• Villa Balbianello in Lenno, now owned by the FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano, the Italian National Trust) and the exclusive Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo, whose gardens are renowned for their luxuriant spring blooms; Villa Mylius Vigoni in Menaggio, a splendid nineteenth century house; Villa Cipressi and Villa Monastero in Varenna, both historic houses and pleasure gardens.

• Villa d'Este and Villa Erba in Cernobbio, Villa Olmo in Como, a centre for major international exhibitions; Comacina island, the only island on the lake, a fascinating place where history, nature and art and archaeology are intertwined and the site of many other now private villas that can be seen only from the outside.