1. SCENERY: Enjoy extreme beauty and classic images of Italy - small villages of pastel cottages with blossoming balconies set against a backdrop of snowy Alpine peaks plunging into sparkling blue water.
2. CLIMATE: The micro-climate of the lakes means plenty of sunshine and palm trees, as well as figs, olive trees, lemons and pomegranates. Lake Maggiore is famous for its camelias, and every lake boasts botanical gardens to delight horticulturists. Many grand villas and gardens are open to the public for touring.
3. CUISINE: Piedmont meets Lombardy in the lakes, with the common theme being the bounty of the waters. The cuisine is varied and includes polenta and risotto in addition to pasta, with wonderful cheeses and wines, not to mention desserts
4. SHOPPING: Each village has a weekly market, where you will find leather goods, pottery, jewelry, flowers, silk and food. Three quarters of Europe's silk comes from Como. For bargains, visit the factory outlets at Foxtown, just over the Swiss border. Don't forget your passport!
5. BOATS: The best way to see the lakes is from the lakes! Take a scenic lake cruise and enjoy spectacular scenery, stopping wherever you like. Or use the ferry for transportation to cross the lake, with or without your car.
6. MILAN: Just half an hour from Lake Como, Milan has wonderful shopping and dining, the third largest cathedral in Europe, the world-renowned La Scala opera house and Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper.
7. THE BORROMEAN ISLANDS: Isola Bella is known for its Baroque palace and gardens, Isola dei Pescatori for its fishing village atmosphere, and Isola Madre for its exotic birds, semi-tropical gardens and Europe's largest Kashmir cypress, which is over 200 years old and struggling to survive after being badly damaged in a storm in 2006.
8. BELLAGIO: Known as the 'pearl of the lake," Bellagio is considered one of Europe's most beautiful towns. Lake Como is in the shape of an inverted "Y" with Bellagio at the center, where the two arms of the lake converge.
9. ACTIVITIES - GOLF TO GARDALAND: Play golf or take advantage of the water sports and hiking possibilities on the lakes. Families with kids will want to visit Gardaland, Italy's largest amusement park. Doorways can also arrange a visit to one of Italy's top cheesemakers; you can visit the grottoes where his cheese is stored, learn about pairings with food and wine, and have a tasting. The lakes are also convenient for daytrips into Switzerland.
10. GEORGE CLOONEY: Even if you stay in one of our villas that are close to George Clooney's villa in Laglio, you're not likely to see him. However, you can see the same scenery and dine at some of the same restaurants as George, and you can enjoy the same air of relaxed elegance that is quintessential to the Italian Lake experience.