Villa Violino

In a wonderful setting with private lake access

Villa Violino is located in the most coveted part of Lake Como: right on the lake shore between the famous Villa d´Este hotel in Cernobbio and George Clooney´s residence in Laglio. The villa overlooks directly the lake and is set in a beautiful landscaped garden, with a private dock and a panoramic terrace with a stunning lake view.

The villa dates back to the beginning of the last century and still belongs to a noble Swiss family that coming on holiday to Lake Como fell in love with this beautiful landscape and decided to build their Italian holiday home on its shores. In 2008 Villa Violino has been completely renovated and carefully restored retaining many of its original features and balancing them harmoniously with modern comforts.

The owners have tastefully furnished and embellished the décor with fine tapestries and fabrics, floors made from fine wood with geometric inlays, beautiful paintings and period antiques. Outdoors, the garden and terrace are ideal for al fresco dining. The terrace (70 sqm) faces the lake and you can enjoy the view or sunbathe in full privacy.

Its convenient location, just a few kilometres from Cernobbio and only 7 km (4,35 miles) from the centre of Como, as well as easy access to public transportation (bus stop is 150 metres from the villa and the pier of the Navigazione dei Laghi ferries is 400 metres distant), makes Villa Violino an ideal destination for touring Lake Como.

A Jacuzzi spa (heated) for six (228 x 228 x 92 cm) located in the garden with a panoramic view will be ready for summer 2010. A lake access for swimming is also available. From the villa's private dock, guests can use a rental boat or the comfortable water-taxis to visit the famous Villa d´Este as well as the charming lake villages Menaggio Bellagio and Tremezzo. Restaurants and shops are in walking distance. An 18-hole golf course is just three kilometers away. As with all the lake shore villas the lake road is located behind the rental: It is not the main Lake Como road, but the local one. Although all the rooms except one face the lake, the windows are provided with triple glasses.

The part of the lake from Como to Tremezzo is a sophisticated resort, where you cannot find isolated or rural areas - here you come for the scenery, for shopping, breathing luxury and enjoying the views from the stylish restaurants and cafés.

The ancient villages and enchanting gardens are the setting for the historical villas of the Lombardy aristocracy and offer a pleasant stay at any time of the year. The best way to enjoy the views of the ancient villas and their gardens is by boat.

Villa Violino measures 600 sqm, develops on three floors plus the basement and is set on a 2000 sqm property.

Ground floor

• 1 entrance
• 1 double living room with sofas, period furnishings, plasma satellite TV; French doors open to the terrace
• 1 spacious dining room with fireplace; French doors open to the terrace
• 1 well-equipped modern kitchen with five-burner stove, dishwasher, coffee maker, icemaker, microwave, toaster
• 1 bathroom with shower
• 1 second kitchen with Weber BBQ. This kitchen offers 40 types of wine and champagne available for purchase and a separate refrigerator for beer (4 types).

Upper floor sleeps 8+1

• 4 queen bedrooms with lake views
• 1 bathroom with double sinks, Jacuzzi claw-foot tub and separate stall shower with steam and water massage
• 1 marble bathroom with tub
• 1 bathroom overlooking the terrace with shower and hydro massage
• 1 marble bathroom with Jacuzzi tub
• 1 study room with high speed Internet connection; in this room can be added (upon request when booking and to be paid at extra charge on the premises) an extra bed (single bed 105 cm x 200 cm) - please note that this room is provided by French style glass doors.

Mansard sleeps 7+1 (no lake view from this floor)

• 1 king bedroom (bed cannot be separated) with adjoining single bed (upon request)
• 3 twin bedrooms (beds cannot be joined)
• 1 single bedroom
• 1 large bathroom with shower and Jacuzzi tub
• 1 bathroom with shower

Basement

• 1 laundry room with washing machine

OUTSIDE

• Jacuzzi spa (heated) for six (228 x 228 x 92 cm), located in the garden, with a panoramic view, will be ready for summer 2010.
• Large 70 sqm terrace with lake view and BBQ
• Private dock
• Ping-pomg table
• Parking for 4 cars
• An underpass with approx. 10 steps connects the villa to the caretaker´s house, where the parking is located

Guests with walking difficulties should be aware that the parking is not on the same level as the villa entrance. Upon request, for those having walking difficulties, a single bed can be placed in the living room area on the ground floor (please note that the bathroom with shower at the ground floor is not wheel chair accessible).

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.

Como

The city of Como is 7 km north of the villa and can be easily reached by ferry (10 minutes) and by bus. The old city centre is surrounded by medieval walls, here you can enjoy the view of charming corners, ancient monuments and lots of fashionable shops. Como is famous for its silk factories and luxurious fabric. There are many outlet stores and boutiques where scarves ties and fabrics by major designers can be bought at excellent prices.
Shopping in Como:
Factory Store/shopping centre - Foxtown, Mendrisio Switzerland
A shopping centre just a few kilometres from the villa which offers products from the best known international companies and brands at factory prices, with discounts from 30% to 70% for intelligent shopping (bring your passport).

Bellaggio

One of the most romantic villages on Lake Como is Bellagio, also known as the "Pearl of the Lake". It is a small town with pastel coloured houses offering many itineraries on foot and spectacular views. A visit to the gardens of Villa Melzi should not be missed (located about 19 km from the villa in direction Cadenabbia and then 10 minutes by ferry to Bellagio).

Isola Comacina

Isola Comacina, the only island in Lake Como, is full of history and memories. The Locanda dell´Isola Inn is a unique and exclusive restaurant where at the end of your dinner you will enjoy the long-standing ritual of the flambéed coffee prepared and offered by the owner to his guests (about 8 km from the villa, by boat about 10 minutes across the lake).

Lake Como villas

VILLA CARLOTTA Tremezzo
This is one of the most famous villas in this area. Set on the western shore of Lake Como in Tremezzo, facing Bellagio the villa is a place of rare beauty where a botanical heritage of more than 500 species of plants can be admired in the gardens.
Distance: about 18 km from Villa Violino - by boat about 20-25 minutes across the lake. Opening times: from March to October: 9 am - 11.30 am, 2.00 pm- 4.30 pm / from April to September: 9.00 am - 6.00 pm.

VILLA DEL BALBIANELLO Lenno
This 18th century villa stands on luxuriant headland dropping directly to the lake. Its terraced gardens offer the most spectacular view of the lake.
Distance: about 13 km from Villa Violino - by boat about 15-20 minutes across the lake. Opening times: from 15th March to 31st October: 10 am - 6.00 pm. Closed: Mondays and Wednesdays except public holidays.

VILLA PIZZO Cernobbio
Visits only on request.

VILLA MELZI Bellagio
Neo Classical villa built between 1808 and 1810 and surrounded by a charming English garden. Inside the villa is decorated in the typical neo-classic style with fine works of art, stucco decorated ceilings, sculptures and frescoes.
Distance: about 19 km from Villa Violino in direction Cadenabbia, then 10 minutes by ferry to reach Bellagio - by ferry about 25 minutes across the lake. Opening times: from March to October: 9.00 am - 6.30 pm.

VILLA OLMO Como
Located in town Villa Olmo (1780) has been frescoed by famous artists. Today the villa is the setting for major events such as the Autumn Music Festival, exhibitions and dance recitals.
Distance: about 5 km from Villa Violino - by ferry about 5 minutes across the lake. Opening times: from 8.00 am - 6.00 pm, closed on public holidays.

VILLA ERBA Cernobbio
It is a sumptuous 19th century villa set in the middle of a beautiful garden. Since 1986 the villa has been owned by a company and has been transformed into a conference centre of great interest (private villa).

VILLA PASSALACQUA Moltrasio
This magnificent 17th villa has beautiful terraced gardens, frescoed ceilings and is today owned by an American citizen who has made it his Italian home. Many important people lived here including Vincenzo Bellini who composed in this villa La Straniera and part of La Sonnambula.
Distance: 200 metres from Villa Violino.

VILLA FONTANELLE - VILLA VERSACE between Cernobbio and Moltrasio
This elegant eighteenth-century villa, surrounded by a garden with Mediterranean plants is famous because it was the home of designer Gianni Versace.
Distance: about 1 km from Villa Violino - by ferry a few minutes across the lake.

VILLA OLEANDRA Laglio
This villa is now famous all over the world because it was purchased and renovated by American actor George Clooney.
Distance: about 2 km from the villa - by ferry about 20-25 minutes across the lake.