{Villa del Balbianello...}
This is one of those destinations I can hardly wait to enjoy. Lombardy, Italy. Most people have heard of Lake Como (thanks to celebs like Gianni Versace and Clooney for placing it firmly in the public eye), but many don't realize that villas abound in the areas of Como, Bellagio and Lecco - all of which surround the stunning and marvelous Lake Como in the Lombardy region of Italy.

I love this quote by poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, “This lake exceeds anything I ever beheld in beauty, with the exception of the arbutus islands of Killarney.” If that's not enticing enough to draw you to the Lago di Como, you may need to have your electrolyte levels checked. ;)

{Clooney's lakeside Villa...}
The trip itinerary we've been following calls for us to stay at the famed Ville d'Este in Cernobbio, rated one of the Leading Hotels of the World. Hotels of this nature are in a league of their own, offering a truly five-star experience. And resorts of this nature have their time and place. But I still maintain that the only way to "know" a location is the "live" the location. And living the location typically means you don't need to worry about checking out by 11am. So let's admire some of the waterside villas and decide which one we'd most love to stay at, shall we?

{Villa Melzi...}
Somewhat off the beaten path just outside of Bellagio, Villa Melzi is worth visiting even if you don't stay there. In addition to being on an impressive structure itself, it has a park filled with rare and exotic plants that is open to the public.Stunning, yes, but a bit formal looking for my taste.


{Photo by Garrett Nudd of Garrett Nudd Photography...}
My absolute favorite property is actually seen at the top of the post... Villa del Balbianello. In my mind, this is the quintessential Italian villa. They ochre wash, the terracotta tiled roof, arched window, ivy covered walls, a sprawling layout with large patios and terraces at multiple levels as it cascades down the hillside. The kind of property that integrates itself into the landscape so fully that you imagine nature begged the architect to interrupt it and build such an estate. 

{Photo by Garrett Nudd of Garrett Nudd Photography...}

{Photo by Garrett Nudd of Garrett Nudd Photography...}
You may know it... it appeared in Ocean's Twelve and (more recently) in Casino Royale. It sits on Punta di Lavedo and is every bit as marvelous at it appeared in those movies.

And while this all may sound like wonderful news to you - I assure you that I'm disappointed. I tend to love things that are a bit undiscovered and "not yet" popular. So this amazing villa that I hope to one day own will be a bit more difficult to obtain, now that the Hollywood studios have their scope set firmly upon it. No to mention, its appearance in myriad movies gives it a bit of a "been there, done that" vibe. But I suppose if it's good enough for Daniel Craig, it's good enough for me.

And I'll certainly need a great photographer for the cover of Elle Decor once I've managed to assume ownership of the property.  Hopefully Mr. Garrett won't mind taking one more trip to the region.

That's enough fun for one day. Time to console myself with a hot stone massage and some gelato. ;) It's back to the hotel and take in an afternoon spa session and a brief nap before dinner. Next stop? Milano!

Arrivederci!