Villa d’Este Lake Como

Villa d’Este, a five star luxury Hotel on the banks of Lake Como, is a former 16th century princely residence built as a summer Palace and converted to an elegant hotel in 1873, it is surrounded by a 25-acre park. The luxury and magnificence of a bygone era is maintained intact in this classic Palace.

We’ve sent clients with marvelous results. The Hotel is family friendly, a superb location for a long Italian weekend, or a stunning location to disconnect for a week. Life moves slowly on the lake, the gentle ripples of the sparkling water lend itself to kicking back and chilling.

Lake Como is a 56 square mile gem in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, long a summer destination since distant Roman days. This is a grand, traditional and stately hotel, elegance and calm prevail, nothing is out of place, and everything is perfect. Drop dead views while dining lakeside or lazy lake gazing from the floating pool at the edge of the dock.

During my Italian sojourn in July, at the invitation of Resident Manager Massimo Dorino, I meandered by train from Milano to Lake Como. A very civilized method of transport, it seemed perfectly suitable to arrive in such leisure. Warm staff greetings, the stately Palace is decadent and indulgent, I felt quite royal!

Lunch on the lakefront pebbled terrace, of course we were offered the center perch on the edge of the lake, more royal favors granted. Classic service is attentive by professional waiters, many have worked at Villa d’Este for decades. Old school charms, and impeccable service – the waiters, attired in proper jackets denoting their stature in the server ranks, are practitioners of skilled service. From an era when waiters were respected for their role, men who take great pride in their chosen profession.

Lunch service was similar to a delicate dance; we enjoyed the prime view seat, as our waiter made certain to adjust our chairs for the absolute finest view. Suggestions for appropriate wine with your meal, certainly Signora! But you must enjoy a Spritz cocktail as well.

Absorbed in the scenery, the scrunching of gravel behind us indicated an excellent course was upon us! I perked up when I heard the rapid shuffle and scrunching as an army of waiters delivered silver trays and domed lids to present each treasure from the kitchen. It became delightfully silly as we awaited each course – as if trumpets were announcing the scene. Oh, did I mention the delicious truffle pasta or the morsels of delectable cookies despite declining dessert? Truly enjoyable, old school, decadent charm…you don’t find this combination of divine scenery, professional service and elegant grandeur in many locations.

Gardens. The design of the lower part of the gardens is from the Renaissance period. The most outstanding landmark is the 16th century Mosaic with its Nympheum. Countess Pino surrounded the gardens with mock fortifications in an effort to keep her bored military husband from returning to the Napoleonic Wars.

Activities: Indoor pool, outdoor floating pool, tennis, spa, and water sports.

Villa d’Este, we would recommend a serene week and if in Milano, at least escape for a day to breathtaking Lake Como.

Naturally, our Clients are treated as Royalty!

Four Seasons Milano – Bellissimo!

Milano, once revered as one of the leading cities of the renaissance is still an epicenter of fashion and design and industry and a gateway to Lake Como…in my at least nine visits to Milan, I’ve always found it a charming city. On my office walls, I have photographs of the gargoyle statues from a steep climb to the rooftop of the magnificent Duomo. Using the seemingly simple streetcar system made it very easy for me to navigate the city, this was pre-gps and despite my love of maps, I am a hopelessly map challenged explorer. My recent visit to Lecce found us wandering in circles in the moonlight, a friend who is in his office on weekends has been called several times to talk me out of a lost path, luckily I had my phone and we Google mapped our way back to our hotel, otherwise I might still be strolling Lecce!

The nearby Brera district is crammed with art galleries, small cafes and for a Catholic raised girl, seeing Da Vinci’s The Last Supper was always a treat. With the Expo last year, a Da Vinci Garden has been opened to the public, set amid the grounds of a lovely Villa; his grape stock is flourishing in the glorious garden.

The Four Seasons Hotel is a gem and if you are careful with your map, you can easily stroll to the grand Duomo and stroll the nearby cobblestone streets packed with the VV sleek and fashionable Italian shops.

An urban sanctuary, the luxurious Four Seasons Milano is housed in a dramatic 15th Century convent wrapped around a stunning cloistered courtyard garden. My enormous light filled suite with a massive walk in closet and a marble vault of bathroom overlooked the courtyard garden.

Sunset Spritz is mandatory in the garden, arranged like a large living room, with many intimate spaces to sit and observe the chic and attractive clientele, people watching at it’s best! My dear hotelier friend joined me for a traditional aperitivo and a massive array of traditional delectable bites. Despite the impending rainstorm, a smiling waiter passed by with a platter of popsicles, impeccable Four Seasons service noted!

Imagine my whirlwind three-week odyssey in the intense July Sicilian and Puglia heat; I concluded my trip with a few days in Milan and ultimately the Four Seasons spa, a refuge of serenity! The spa decorated in soothing tones, is a tasteful combination of sleek Italian design with vaulted stone ceilings. Water reflections in the softly lit indoor lap pool shimmer on the vaulted stone ceilings – generous loungers line the extended pool – it’s as quiet as a cathedral and beyond soothing – truly spa heaven!

With the hotel, we can arrange many diverse activities during your stay including:

Driving around Lake Como’s magnificent villas, ancient villages and enchanting landscapes is gratifying enough, but exploring the area from behind the wheel of a 1961 Giulietta Spider? That’s a dream come true, whether you’re a car collector or just someone who appreciates the superlative beauty of these classic Italian cars.

The Giulietta Spider, introduced by Alfa Romeo in the mid-1950s and produced for only a decade, is coveted among car lovers for its rarity, movie-star style and serious sports-car power. Now, Four Seasons Hotel Milano is putting you in the driver’s seat of this Italian icon for your very own road trip to Lake Como. Your adventure begins at the Hotel, where you’ll get the keys to this vintage roadster and be ready to hit the open road by 10:00 am. Put down the convertible top, and you and your companions can enjoy the day discovering the beautiful town of Como and its surroundings with an unobstructed view. Stop for a reserved lunch at one of the inviting restaurants near the lake, and browse the local shops before continuing your drive along the lake’s mountain-rimmed shores. Navigating this charming landscape in a car that made—and remains part of—the history of the Italian automobile industry will be an authentic experience you won’t soon forget.

OR

Breathtaking Helicopter Ride Over the Rhaetian Alps

Embark on a day tour between Switzerland and Italy, which includes the spectacular views of Lake Como, the most prestigious mountain village in the world, St. Moritz, the massive knitting mills of the Rhaetian Alps and the famous Bernina Range with its majestic peaks: Piz Bernina, Piz Roseg and Piz Palù.

This tour includes a dining stop in the famous Rifugio Marinelli Bombardieri, built in 1880, and also known as the Scerscen Refuge from the valley in which it is located. From this location at the height of 2,813 meters, a stunningly beautiful amphitheatre marks the starting point of “The Magnificent 4,000 Climbs”: Piz Bernina (4,049 meters), Piz Roseg (3,936 meters) and Peak Marinelli (3,906 meters).

Milano, Si! Four Seasons Milano, Si Si, Bellissimo!