Around Dolce Mistero
We always want Dolce Mistero to feel like your own personal haven, a soul-soothing retreat from the outside world.
But we know from experience that exploring Lake Como is irresistible, and even the most dedicated escapists are usually tempted to look around, at least a little. With that in mind, we’ve chosen a few of the local places and experiences we love most of all, and think you will too.
Stroll down to Sala Comacina
Take a stroll down to Sala Comacina and wander through the atmospheric old town. It’s a romance of cobbled streets, quaint alleys and steep staircases, punctuated by the graceful bell tower of Chiesa di San Bartolomeo. Naturally the local restaurants gaze out over Lake Como. And, if you’re in the mood to go sailing, there’s a even little motor boat that ferries passengers to enchanting Isola Comacina, the lake’s only island.
Sala Comacina is where to find lakeside restaurants, a few small bars and a local grocery shop, just 10 minutes’ walk from Dolce Mistero. The ferry crossing to Isola Comacina takes five minutes.
Sail to legendary lakeside towns and ancient abbeys
Even if boats aren’t normally your thing, Lake Como might convert you. Sail into Bellagio and see instantly why it’s called the ‘Pearl of Lake Como’. The short ferry crossing from Menaggio to the pretty fishing village of Varenna is another lovely trip. Or you can voyage further south and visit ancient Abbazia di Santa Maria di Piona, loved for its peaceful cloisters and the Cistercian monks’ excellent grappa.
Ferry crossings from Lenno to Bellagio or Menaggio to Varenna take about 30 minutes. And there are regular Lake Como cruises to Abbazia di Santa Maria di Piona in summer.
Gaze at gorgeous villas in glorious gardens
If you’re intrigued by endless glimpses of Lake Como’s stately villas, several are open to visitors in spring and summer, so take a closer look. Spectacular Villa Balbianello is famous for lake views from the 18th century Loggia and its wonderful collection of travel memorabilia. And Villa Carlotta is more of a palace than a house and known to have one of Lake Como’s most remarkable Romantic Gardens – the 150 plus varieties of rhododendron and azaleas alone will take your breath away.
Villa Balbianello is a 10 minute drive from Dolce Mistero.
Walk up to the top of Alpe di Colonno
The higher you go the more you can see and several mountain walks round Sala Comacina prove that beautifully. The well-marked pathway up Alpe di Colonno starts minutes from Dolce Mistero; it’s more of a walk than a climb, but strenuous enough to earn you lunch at the top. And if you thought lakeside restaurants had scenic views of Como, just wait until you see the lofty panoramas from Rifugio Alpe di Colonno.
The mountain pathway up Alpe di Colonno is marked from the Greenway del Lago di Como close to Dolce Mistero. The walk up to Rifugio Alpe di Colonno takes about three hours.
Lake swim and laze at the Lido di Lenno
The Lido di Lenno is every bit as beachy and chic as it sounds, which makes it pretty much perfect for an idle day by the lake, some gentle swimming and plenty of lazing on cloud-soft sunbeds. The Lido restaurant is excellent for lunch.
Or you can always hang on, have dinner and see what this glamorous little slice of
Lake Como gets up to after dark.
The Lido di Lennois open between 10am to 1.30am every day,except Monday, from late April 2019.
Spend a day in Milan
If you can tear yourself away from Lake Como, Milan is just over an hour’s drive from Dolce Mistero. Make time to see legends like Duomo di Milano and Teatro alla Scala. Fit in a visit to the convent of Santa Marie delle Grazie where The Last Supper, Da Vinci’s famous fresco, can be seen on the refectory wall. And always leave space for lunch and shopping. Do both at extravagant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Europe’s oldest shopping mall, and then go browse the
Fashion Quadrangle.
Milan is an hour and 20 minutes’ drive south of Dolce Mistero.
Discover heavenly villages and divine gelato
Once you’ve tried authentic gelato from the lakeside gelataria in Lenno, you might find yourself making excuses to drop by most days. Fortunately, it’s an easy walk from Dolce Mistero along the Greenway del Lago di Como. And remember if you decide to walk the Greenway’s entire 10km length on holiday, leave plenty of time to be distracted on-route by pretty villages and enviable villas.
Follow the Greenway del Lago di Como from Sala Comacina to Lenno, it’s a 25 minute walk with Lake Como for company every step of the way.
Leave time for captivating Como
Como is the perfect town for a sunny afternoon. It’s small enough to explore on foot, with everything from its medieval old town to the elegant lakeside promenade easily doable in a few hours. But don’t rush, the classic Italian cafés and gorgeous designer shops definitely deserve a bit of lingering. The Silk Museum and 15th century cathedral are worthy of some time too. And if you only manage one ‘tourist’ experience, make it a ride on the funicular up to Brunate for vast views down
Lake Como.
Como is a half-an-hour drive from Dolce Mistero. A regular ferry service from Lenno will whisk you down to Como in under an hour.
