A day in the enchanting village of Varenna

As you walk towards the east, you will be acquainted with the two villas - the Villa Cepressi first, followed by the Villa Monastero. The Villa Cepressi is a perfect blend of the old and the new, courtesy of being built during the 1400-1800s and then later being restored. Explore the magnificent architecture of these buildings before you make your way to the botanical gardens which houses some exotic plant species like the American Agave. The staircases and terraces are fine works of architecture, which lead down to the lake. You pay €4 to visit the botanical gardens. You can have your lunch at the alfresco restaurant located at the Villa garden which serves up Italian, European and Mediterranean food.

Next up is the Villa Monastero, which previously used to be inhabited by some of the powerful figures of medieval Europe like Valsassinesi Mornico and is now a museum and a centre for cultural studies and cultural conferences. Some of the most important rooms of this villa are the Billiard room, the Black hall and of course, the Fermi room, where renowned physicist Enrico Fermi delivered his last lesson. He also used to live and study at the Villa itself. There is a botanical garden on the terrace. Don’t forget to check out the “La Clemenza di Tito”, a neoclassical sculpture by Giovanni Battista Comolli.

As you walk north east from Villa Monastero, you will reach the source of the river Fiumelatte, which happens to be one of the shortest rivers in Italy, at a length of only 250m. The river gets its name as it waters are so foamy that the colour of the river looks milky white. The river appears towards mid-March and disappears by October. You can follow the course of the river which will lead you to the head of the river which houses a picnic area, where you can enjoy a romantic sunset with the lake and the mountains in the background.

Towards the west, near the ferry station (Varenna’s pier) is the picturesque and romantic Passeggiata degli Innamorati (Lovers’ walk) which runs along the lake and is covered by hanging willows and cypress trees on one side. This walkway leads to the lakeside promenade which is lined with restaurants, bars and boutiques.

Sunset over Lake Como

Or you can head over to the Castle of Vezio - a fortress which has played host to a number of bloody battles, clashes and drama over the course of history. This castle was destroyed as a result of war and was later restored, but it hasn’t lost its medieval charm. Take a walk around the castle and also enjoy a panoramic view of the lake and the village itself. A visit to the castle costs €4.

Now that you are done with the architectural beauty that the village has to offer, you can dine at Vecchia Varenna, a restaurant whose tables are placed on a platform suspended on the lake and serves up Italian food. Their little gnocchi cooked in goat cheese is a must try. A meal there would cost you about €35-45, but do head there early as the place closes by 9:30pm.

End your wonderful day at this village as you have a drink and enjoy a view of the lake at Du Lac.