Casa Bellagina

The neighbourhood - A hamlet to call home ♡.

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You'll be staying in a quaint Italian hamlet where you'll feel you are really living amongst the locals and not as a tourist. This was my much-loved home for 7 happy years when I moved to Italy from the UK. If you are looking for an authentic stay in the area, you just found it.

 

Park for free in the village car park and experience life as a local. Follow the sweet aroma to the coffee and cake shop on the piazza. Mingle with the regulars over a cappuccino. Savour regional wines and cheeses from the neighbourhood grocery. Sip an aperitif at the bar before strolling to one of 3 nearby restaurants. All these amenities are a few steps away.

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My home is 2km above the lakefront and Bellagio’s centre. You'll really appreciate being so close but far enough away from the busy tourist fray. 

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Casa Bellagina - A home away from home ♡

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Are you travelling as a couple? A small family? A group of friends? You'll find Casa Bellagina bright, cosy, well-loved, and well-equipped. In short, it's a very welcoming retreat after sightseeing. Bellagio comprises many hamlets and this is the residents' favourite. 

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Whatever the season, you'll be comfortable at Casa Bellagina. In autumn and winter, you'll be cosy with the log fire, central heating and soft blankets. In summer, there are cooling ceiling fans (by 2022) in both bedrooms and portable fans for other rooms.

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Relax after a day of exploration. Enjoy a glass of wine on the balcony watching the sunset. Grab a take-away pizza and select a movie on Netflix. Curl up with a good book from my library. 

You'll find Casa Bellagina welcoming and furnished with all you need to feel at home.

 

The bijou balcony overlooks both the Grigne mountains and the local piazza. This makes it the ideal spot to observe the daily comings and goings of your neighbours. Watching the rhythm of Italian life from here will be one highlight of your stay!  

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Wining and dining ♡

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Love to cook at home? You’ll find the kitchen has everything you need.

Love to dine out? There are 3 restaurants, a bar, a grocery and a snack bar within easy walking distance. My insider's guide will point you to restaurants in the area. Would you prefer to bring a pizza home and settle in front of the TV? There’s a great pizzeria too. 

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A car helps you reach characteristic restaurants in the mountains behind Bellagio. Enjoy walking trails in the hills and forests away from the lake. There are plenty to choose from.  

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WARNING! Bellagio will seduce you. ♡

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It’s impossible not to fall in love with Bellagio, ‘pearl of Lake Como’. Its unique appeal comes from its special location, lush gardens and sublime vistas.

 

You will fall under its spell, whoever you are! Photographer’s paradise. Globetrotter's gem. Writer’s retreat. Hiker’s heaven. It's got something for everyone. 

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My insider's guide bursts with tips and ideas, so you can plan your visits around Bellagio and Lake Como. 

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Love gardens? Some of Italy's most famous ornate gardens and villas are nearby. Villa Balbianello featured in recent movies (Star Wars and Casino Royale). You’ll find a wide range of inspirational guidebooks and local information in the apartment.

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Love to shop? Bellagio has a lovely variety of local and Italian gifts, art, fashion and gourmet delicacies to tempt you. Did you know that the town of Como is famous for its quality silk? A silk scarf or tie makes a lovely keepsake. 

 

Love to explore? Slow boats, fast hydrofoils and car ferries criss-cross the lake to picture-perfect towns. My insider's guide will help you decide what you want to see.

 

It's fun to explore the meandering, cobbled alleys linking the many hamlets on foot. This is the key to experiencing the calm, charm and character of authentic Bellagio. 

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Love sport and the outdoors? Join a kayak tour of the Bellagio peninsular or rent a sailing boat in the hamlet of Pescallo. Alternatively, rent an E-bike, road or mountain bike or a moped to explore the area on two wheels. There are hiking trails for all abilities to enjoy the scenery on your own two legs too. children will love the nearby Jungle Raider adventure park, set in a forest.

 

What you need to know. 

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I do recommend arriving by car but it isn't essential, as long as you enjoy walking. Casa Bellagina is a 5-minute drive or a 25-minute walk from the lakefront. The walk home is uphill, so you'll earn that glass of wine or chilled beer! There's a big, free parking area 30 metres from my home.

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The nearest rail service is at Varenna Esino, from where you take a ferry to Bellagio.  

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My insider's guide details all public transport options.

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Although I offer one-night stays, I encourage you to stay longer. (There is a premium cost for a one-night stay. Cost per night goes down after this.) 

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