Starting from Domaso, we present the Lake Como west shore tour to you: Domaso is an ancient fishing village where you can still find today watch the fishermen at work in a typical small port. Today Domaso is arguably the most popular place in the whole area, and it is protected because of its climate. Domaso offers the most beautiful beaches on Lake Como, a dry microclimate with a warm breeze that invites you to swim and do water sports, an extensive hinterland with a variety of hiking opportunities, and various restaurants are characterized by high It is worth visiting the "Villa Camilla", in whose park various species of rare camellias can be admired, and the church of "St. Giovanni" with its bell tower.
Approximately 1 km. away from Domaso is the small town of
Gravedona . It was the capital of the Republic of the "Tre Pievi", which is still remembered by numerous testimonies from that past. We recommend visiting the Romanesque church of Santa Maria del Tiglio (17th century), the frescoes of the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (15th century) and the Gallio palace (16th century). A detour uphill (approx. 5 km) takes you to
Peglio . In the baroque church "Sant'Eusebio" you can admire frescoes by Fiammenghino. From here you also have a wonderful view over Lake Como all the way to Bellagio.
Back on the shore road, you reach the small town
Dongo , which has an important historical past. It is worth paying a visit to the Museum of Resistance Fighters (Museo della Resistenza), the "Golden Hall" and the "Santo Stefano" parish church. Interesting in
Pianello is the boat museum (Museo della Barca Lariana).
Menaggio and
Cadenabbia are elegant tourist places with lively Waterfront promenades, bars, restaurants and hotels and an 18-hole golf course. From both places there is a car ride to Bellagio, which is climatically very favored and especially popular with English tourists.
Bellagio lies at the foot of a promontory that divides the two southern arms of the lake. Characteristic of the old town are the small alleys, shops, patrician houses and luxurious hotels. The gardens of Villa Melzi and Villa Serbelloni, now the seat of the Rockefeller Foundation, are beautiful. We also recommend a trip to Torno to Villa Pliniana with its peculiar, because occasionally intermittent waterfall.
Back on the "Regina" embankment, you reach
Tremezzo , a very popular place to linger welcoming place. A "must" is a visit to the splendid "Villa Carlotta" (18th century) with its interesting museum, but above all because of its famous botanical garden. The blooming of the rhododendrons and azaleas in spring offers a breathtaking spectacle.
Not to be forgotten in
Lenno are the Villa Balbianello with its gardens, which can only be reached by a long walk or by boat, and in
Ossuccio the church tower of Santa Maria Maddalena (12th century).
From the small village
Sala Comacina you can take the boat to the
Isola Comacina & uuml ; translate, the only island on Lake Como. From
Argegno a road leads right into the mountains into the
Val d'Intelvi , the green valley that extends to
Ceresio extends to the Italian steep coast of Lake Lugano.
Continuing on the shore road, you first come to
Laglio , where a visit to the Buco dell'Orso is a good option. The holiday villa & ldquo; L & rsquo; Oleandra & ldquo; is also located on the old embankment. of the hoolywood star
George Clooney. Then to
Moltrasio and
Cernobbio with its famous park of the "Villa D'Este" (16th century).
Finally we reach
Como , the
capital of the province . Como was founded in 196 BC. Founded by the Romans on the remains of a Celtic settlement. In the Middle Ages, Como was ruled by the powerful Duchy of Milan. Today Como is known far beyond its borders for its silk industry. In addition to the
silk museum (Museo della Seta), various monuments are recommended, e.g. the church of S. Abbondio (11th century) and the basilica of S. Fedele. The Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo) forms the heart of the old town, in which remains of the old city wall can still be seen. The cathedral is one of the most beautiful Renaissance churches in the Lombardy region. Inviting is a stroll on the waterfront, which also leads to the "Tempio Voltiano", a museum exclusively dedicated to the inventor of the voltaic battery, Alessandro Volta from Como (1745-1827).
REGION: Lake Como excursion tips, west bank/sights