Villa Camelia

A glamorous place

This outstanding mid 19th century villa has private gardens with a pool, private tennis court, superb lake view and, upon request, a private mooring (for extra cost) at the San Siro harbor. This villa has always belonged to the noble family of a Marquis. The villa faces southeast, half way up the lake, so there is a superb view of the three arms of Lake Como and the beautiful mountains across the lake. The large private, park-like garden has a massive green lawn and centuries' old trees: sequoias, cedars, oaks, and palms.

The interior of the villa is impressive too. All the details are of superb beauty: from the mosaic floors, wonderful wooden ballustrade connecting the floors, to the statues and 19th century decorations. The villa has been recently restored, but maintains its ancient atmosphere. It sleeps up to 18 people in 8 bedrooms with private bathroom each. Villa Camelia has all the amenities of a modern house, central heating, tennis, billiards, satellite-TV, music, fitted kitchen... etc.

The villa is laid out on four floors:
Ground floor: Large foyer. Living room with open fireplace, and doors leading onto the lawn with views of the lake. Large playroom with fireplace and ping-pong. Formal dining room. Kitchen. 2 WCs.

First floor (3 bedrooms with double beds/beds can be seperated on request when booking, 3 baths; sleeps 6): Yellow bedroom with lake views and ensuite bathroom (shower and bathtub Jacuzzi style). Pink bedroom with lake views and ensuite bathroom (shower and bathtub Jacuzzi style). Green bedroom with views overlooking the rear park and ensuite bathroom (bathtub).

Second floor (2 bedrooms with double beds/beds can be seperated on request when booking, 2 baths; sleeps 4): Pink bedroom with views overlooking the lake and bathroom (shower and bathtub Jacuzzi style). Blue bedroom with bathroom (shower and bathtub). Furthermore a game room with billiard table and large windows overlooking the lake and the garden.

Third floor (3 bedrooms with double beds/beds can be seperated on request when booking, 3 bathrooms; sleeps 6): Light blue bedroom with lake views and ensuite bathroom (shower). Orange bedroom with lake views and ensuite bathroom (shower). Green bedroom with views overlooking the rear park and ensuite bathroom (shower and bathtub). Two additional beds can be placed at an extra charge in the bedrooms of this floor. This level was once the servants' quarters so the furnishings and layout are decidedly less elegant than the floors below.

It is an ideal location to relax or to take day trips all around the lake area and southern Switzerland. Bicycle rentals, motorboat rentals, waterskiing and pitch and putt are available in Menaggio 10 minutes away. Windsurfing is available in Menaggio, Colico and Cremia. Several golf clubs are in the area with Menaggio Golf Club, in Grandola, the closest at 20 min. Riding is available at Grandola Centro Ippico La Torre 20 min or La Pinetina 19 km south of Como. This villa is the top of the line in every way - it is one of the most romantic settings in the world.

About the region

Lake Como is renowned for its luxuriant vegetation and its mild climate. In the winter, in the sunniest areas such as Tremezzina, the temperature is never too cold. In the summer it is moderated by a very pleasant breeze. In Como, you should plan to visit the cathedral, the Piazza San Fedele with many 400-year-old buildings, the basilica, one of the masterpieces by the maestri comacini (masters of Como), the very austere church of San Abbondio as well as the early Romanesque basilica of San Corpoforo.

Before leaving Como, be sure to take the funicular railway up to Brunate for a truly spectacular view. Leaving Como and travelling north along the left shore it is just a short drive to Cernobbio, whose old town features a delightful collection of picturesque houses and narrow alleys. This is the site of the fictional Villa Balbianello, the elegant family home and pensione featured in the film "A Month by the Lake." One of the grandest hotels in all of Europe is located nearby, the Villa d'Este; its rooms are reminiscent of museum galleries and its grounds boast Italy's only "floating swimming pool". In Toriggia, further down the road, you can visit the Villa Passalacqua, a late 18th-century residence where Vincenzo Bellini once stayed. As you travel north you will see Como's only island, Isola Comacina (St. John's Day, the weekend after June 24th is celebrated with a mass in the ruins of the St. Eufemia basilica followed by a costumed procession and fireworks at night).

Lake Como is renowned for its exquisite villas, and probably the most famous one is Villa Carlotta, a perfect combination of a luxurious interior (beautiful stuccos, lovely ceiling frescoes and a great art collection, including an Eros and Psyche by Antonio Canova) and a luxuriant exterior (over 500 species of plants, trees and shrubs from all over the world). Tremezzo is another lovely lakeside town. Here you will find a classic lakeside promenade as well as many wonderful old villas, some of which have been converted to hotels. From here you can take a car ferry over to Bellaggio and Varenna on the opposite shore. On the southern shore is Bellaggio, la perla del lago (the pearl of the lake), considered by many to be the most beautiful town in all of Europe. Its narrow cobbled streets, breathtaking views, impeccable homes and marvellous villas make it a most enchanting spot to spend your own unforgettable "month by the lake."

Food specialities: Obviously, the lake cuisine is based on fish. The most famous specialities are: misultitt, which is, fish desiccated in special containers called misolte; soused fish, which is first fried and then pickled; and crispy freshwater fish. Other typical dishes include risotto con pesce persico (rice with perch filet) and smoked trout in oil.