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Varenna, the jewel of Lake Como is an ancient fishing village dotted with pretty painted houses and lively restaurants. It offers plenty to see and do and is only an hour by train from the bustling city of Milan.
If you are looking for somewhere to stay, the boutique family run Hotel Milano based in the historic centre offers beautiful lake views as well as a dining room terrace literally hanging over the water. Another firm favourite is the Hotel du Lac. For lists of hotels and indeed restaurants see www.varennaitaly.com If you prefer to stay in an apartment, see www.lovecomo.com or www.bellacomo.com for listings of available holiday rentals.
If you fancy a long lazy lunch why not try The Vecchia Varenna, a beautiful old stone restaurant that in summer opens a terrace which sits on stilts in the lake. Try the local lake fish lavarello caught fresh that day with some crisp Italian white wine and your afternoon is set! The Lido is another great alternative for families as there is a beach with table tennis and other child friendly games so while parents relax over a casual lunch, kids can play happily nearby.
Varenna is set into a hillside and the historic centre is filled with cobbled alleyways to explore. Castel Vezio, a medieval fortress, is perched just above the village and has nature trails as well as a falconry. This landmark is a must see as the views of the Golden Triangle are unparalleled from this height. Back down near the harbour and on the flat,there is a pretty promenade with quirky shops and an ever popular gelateria selling delicious home made icecreams.
The main square of Piazza San Giorgio is the heart of Varenna and in the middle lies a fun bar the 27m2. Ideal for a glass of prosecco at any time of day particularly in the summer when you can watch the weddings at the beautiful Church of San Giorgio. It is a great spot for meeting locals and helpfully is also equipped with WiFi. The promenade also has a collection of pretty bars overlooking the lake for that relaxing evening tipple.
If you are looking for some culture why not visit the Villa Monastero which now has museum status and has been left as it was when last used. The King Farouk bathroom is aptly named with its oriental features and the red room so named because of the rococco pieces found in it are particularly interesting. Next door the Villa Cipressi boasts its wellk nown botanical gardens. The parish church of San Giorgio dates back to 1313 and boasts an ancient fresco of Saint Christopher.
Varenna is easy to get to either by train, by car or by boat. Its port offers ferries and passenger boats alike (see www.navigazionelaghi.it). There is a mainline station with regular trains to Milan and Lecco and a fast dual carraigeway leading to the motorways. However you chose to travel, this pretty destination is well worth the trip.