Sunday, 05 September 2010

Why Varenna?

Delia2Varenna is situated in the Lecco Province and is ideally located on the eastern shore of Lake Como with easy access to transport links (approximately 60km to Milan and 20km to Lecco). It is the less driven side of the lake and therefore offers peace and tranquility.

Varenna is considered one of the most elegant villages on the lake and its steep mountainous backdrop adds a feeling of mystery and magic to this otherwise quaint little village.

Varenna and indeed Lake Como sits in the centre of a local phenomena that creates a micro climate and therefore you can see palm and fir trees growing side by side, with the surrounding area lush green and the clear green/blue water of the lake.  Lake Como enjoys real seasons, with a sub alpine winter, a fresh and budding spring, a long warm summer, and a golden autumn.

What more could you want.

Varenna

Varenna, Lake Como is a picturesque small medieval village situated in the heart of the lake centre on the east shore of Lake Como. The steep narrow alleyways leading down to the lakeside add so much character to this quaint village. The views across the lake to Griante and Menaggio and down to Bellagio are simply stunning.

Sitting atop of the steep Varenna hillside are the ruins of Castle Vezio which was the last home of a 7th century Lombard Queen (Theodolinda). Although Varenna is a small village compared to Bellagio and Menaggio, it is far less commercial and less crowded and has some excellent hotels and restaurants.

You can take a leisurely stroll through the beautiful gardens of Villa Cipressi (which is now a hotel) and Villa Monastero (which is now an international and cultural scientific centre). The gardens of both of these villas are open to the public between April and October.

Years ago the quarry in Varenna was opened for the black marble that can be found in outcrops near the town and thus kept Varenna prosperous for a long many years. Varenna is also the birth place of G.B Pirelli of the famous Pirelli tyres.

From the apartments it is a 15 minute walk downhill into the centre of Varenna (Piazza san Giorgio) where you can find a good selection of restaurants, one of which is La Contrada in Villa Cipressi; one of the finest eateries on the lake. For some freshly baked bread or for your morning espresso and brioche, you can reach the nearest alimentari and bar in Perledo in 10 minutes (nice easy walk).

The town of Varenna is ideally situated for some sports activities such as mountain biking and hiking in the summer months and skiiing or snowboarding in the winter months. Cainallo, Betulle and Piani del Bobbio (one of the best ski resorts in this area) are all within easy reach.

Varenna is ideal for using local transport as it has the car-ferry point where you can take the ferry across to Cadenabbia, Menaggio or Bellagio as well as having a train station which is a 10 minute walk from where the apartments are located. The train runs every hour to Lecco and Milan. There is also the motorway at this side of the lake making it quick and easy to reach Milan or head up to St. Moritz for a a memorable day trip.