WANDER > HOME: Lake Como, Italy!
Welcome to Wander>Home, a series dedicated to sharing how I bring my travels around the world back into my home! Join me on a journey that goes beyond traditional “souvenirs” as I explore the infusion of textures, colors, art, and even memories that evoke the essence of each place I've visited. This series is an invitation to see souvenirs not just as tokens, and experiences not just as memories - but as elements that can seamlessly become part of the fabric of your home.
You see, I believe wandering > home, and the collision of the two has the opportunity to not only decorate your home but also narrate tales of your adventures.
In each part of this series, I’ll share key memories of my trip, along with specific sights, sounds, and ways I brought the experience back with me (i.e. incorporated it into the fabric of my home)
WANDER WITH ME…
DAY 1 Arriving in Lake Como
I never knew a bus ride could be so special (and lead to so much luxury) than when I hopped on a bus with my friends…Lake Como as our destination!
The journey started out with one of my fondest memories: simply getting to connect with each other AND newfound friends. You know that really good feeling when someone remembers your name? Our companion-filled bus ride to Lake Como was that times infinity.
Arriving at Villa Cipressi (which would be our “home” throughout our stay in Lake Como), history embraced us with open arms. The property's legacy, spanning nearly six centuries, spoke volumes of its rich past. Three distinct buildings stood proudly, each bearing witness to bygone eras. It was magical, to say the least. The oldest building, a relic from the 1400s, now housed the charming breakfast room and five bedrooms. Meanwhile, the 1700s and 19th-century structures gracefully accommodated the hotel's reception and additional rooms.
Nestled amidst magnificent botanical gardens, the villa offered an idyllic setting for leisurely strolls and soaking in the picturesque views of the lakeside scenery.
To no one’s surprise, one of the first things I noticed was the architecture, which (of course) was simply mesmerizing. Each intricate detail captured my attention, from the textured designs adorning the plaster walls to the elegant accents of terra cotta and marble. I could have stared all day…and never been bored.
Checkerboard marble floors echoed a timeless charm, while the warmth of wood ceilings and doors added a touch of rustic elegance. It was a feast for the eyes and got my wheels turning about all the ways I’d love to incorporate this character in my new home.
It’s not often that I find myself truly speechless, but stepping foot into our rooms at the villa did just that. Panoramic views of the Swiss Alps, Lake Como, and bird blue skies…I’ve just never seen anything like it! Our bedroom windows stayed open for the entire trip – there was too much fresh air to take in and we wanted absolutely *no* obstructions to the picturesque view.
One of the best parts of our villa was the heavy brass room key - it was gorgeous! We loved dropping it at the reception guest each time we ventured out and picking it up upon our return. (I’m currently scheming how to get one of these beauties for my new home).
Speaking of venturing out – our first evening in Lake Como was spent chatting over a delicious welcome dinner all about the week ahead. We were giddy with excitement about boating around on Lake Como and visiting all the cute little Italian villages!
DAY 2 in Lake Como
If you’ve ever spent time traveling, you know that it’s always best to expect the unexpected. Sometimes this means finding special treasures you didn’t plan for, and sometimes it means battling through undesirable circumstances like unpleasant weather.
A bit blustery and chillier than we anticipated, our first adventure started early in the morning and led us to Bellagio via beautiful wooden boats.
We embarked on a captivating stroll through the village guided by a knowledgeable tour guide (highly recommend this decision), who impressed us with fascinating insights about Bellagio’s history and landmarks. Among the highlights was the discovery of Lucia boats, a nod to Alessandro Manzoni's iconic character Lucia Mondella from "I Promessi Sposi." These quaint vessels, named after the beloved literary figure, create a sense of melancholy reminiscent of Lucia's poignant farewell to her mountain home.
Dating back to the 16th century, these boats were originally used for fishing on Lake Como and can still be spotted along its shores today. Captivated by their charm, I couldn't resist grabbing a couple of watercolor paintings from a local antique shop, destined to be placed on the walls of my new home as cherished mementos.
The leisurely nature of our afternoon led us to explore a serene stretch of the lake, where we encountered a pair of graceful white swans. Beautiful yes, and also NOT friendly - a note of caution to admire them from a respectful distance.
This moment at the lake was serendipitous, as a stunning burnt sienna rock caught my attention. My dear friend Daphney was brave and went into the lake to snatch it for me! To me, this natural gem promises endless artistic possibilities, serving as perfect pigment for future paintings (I promise to share when I do this). It will be such a special project to (once again) bring into my new home.
After indulging in a delightful lunch, we savored some free time to peruse local shops and enjoy a revitalizing espresso (the Italian way!) before heading back to Varenna for the evening's festivities.
DAY 3 in Lake Como
On another cold and rainy day, we made the best of it and enjoyed a cooking class where we prepared our own lunch for the day!
With the dreary skies above, we set out to explore Varenna, determined to find something special for that evening's dinner plans. Left to our own devices due to our hotel's nightly weddings, we ventured forth, stumbling upon a gem of a rug and jewelry shop that would become a cherished memory of our time in Italy. Run by the charming owners Gianni and his partner Yayla, the shop exuded warmth and hospitality. Though language barriers were present, their charisma and charm transcended any linguistic limitations, leaving me wishing for more moments in their company.
Later that afternoon, we embarked once again on the boats, this time journeying to the quaint village of Menaggio. Despite the inclement weather, we managed to find solace in the discovery of new shoes and a charming hotel where we indulged in aperitifs and drinks.
As the chill of the rain (and an oncoming cold) threatened to dampen my spirits, I found myself grateful for the excuse to seek refuge indoors, the Grand Hotel Victoria providing a welcome respite from the elements.
Day 4 in Lake Como
Wednesday morning brought unexpected romance as we stumbled upon a heartwarming wedding ceremony, mistaking it for a proposal at first! Witnessing the couple's love-filled exchange left us feeling touched, and encountering them again at breakfast only added to the magic of the moment!
Despite the rainy weather persisting, our day was filled with activities, starting with a visit to a grand mansion followed by a delightful lunch nestled in a cozy cove. Unforgettable ravioli filled our bellies and nourished our souls! A sculpture class provided a creative outlet that sparked a love for clay for me. I couldn’t believe what everyone made in class. They were all so beautiful! We had about an hour and were dying for coffee to warm us up before we embarked on a winding road leading to a flower-arranging session.
Unfortunately, my joy was dampened by the onset of a cold, leaving me feeling miserable as I struggled to find comfort amidst the rain. With dinner plans derailed once more due to the inclement weather and late hour, we braved the downpour in search of food, only to find most establishments closed. Frustrated yet determined, we ventured out into the rain, seeking SOMETHING to satisfy our appetites. We found a small pizza place that said they could serve us and enjoyed a couple of slices before heading back to try and enjoy the music from the night’s wedding! We opened the window and sang along to American pop music!
Day 5 in Lake Como
Rain, rain, and more rain! It was the thing we had not anticipated (much less planned for), yet we were determined to make the most out of our trip.
We embarked on a hike to explore ancient ruins, braving the elements in search of adventure. Our plans for a picnic lunch were nixed by the inclement weather, but the hotel graciously relocated the meal to a quaint covered patio. Still feeling under the weather, I found myself in need of medication and PROTEIN, leading us to opt for a hearty steak lunch instead. The combination of a filling meal, medicine from the pharmacy, and some much-needed rest left me feeling rejuvenated. I was so thankful to run into Jeanne Oliver who recommended I go to the Pharmacie and ask for medicine and get a hearty lunch!
Refusing to let the rain dampen my spirits, I ventured out for a shopping excursion in search of some retail therapy! Reconnecting with familiar faces, I couldn't resist going back to see my new friends, Gianni and Yayla to pick out a few rugs and an abundance of jewelry, both for myself and for future thoughtful gifts. Thankfully, Gianni kindly arranged for the rugs to be delivered to our hotel, sparing me the hassle of lugging them back myself.
Keep an eye out for an upcoming blog all about packing strategies and transporting treasures you acquire abroad!
As the day drew to a close, we gathered for dinner with the charming locals we had befriended during our time in Lake Como. It was a heartwarming reunion, filled with laughter, good food, and fond memories shared amidst the beauty of the Italian lakeside.
Day 6 in Lake Como
On our final day waking up in Lake Como - we spontaneously decided to go to SWITZERLAND! That’s all I’ll say for now, as plans for a WANDER>HOME: Switzerland blog are in the works.
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Our time in Lake Como was nothing short of wonderful in its own way, but it was also a trip that reminded me of the importance of finding the beauty anywhere. We could have easily stayed in a grumpy state of mind - with all the rain, chilly weather, and for me…an annoying cold.
I’ll be honest - there were moments when we were frustrated (especially me)! But for the most part, we chose to get out in the rain, look for adventure, enjoy the setting, and most importantly, make memories!
How I brought Lake Como “HOME” with me:
Sprinkled throughout blog above, you probably caught mention of the special ways I brought memories of my time in Lake Como home with me. Oftentimes, we think this means BIG items like rugs…and sometimes it does! But it can also mean small, memorable keepsakes like the watercolor paintings of the boats…or the jewelry…or even the rock which I plan to make pigment from. Stay tuned for more photos of these unique items placed in my new home – I can’t wait!
“Don’t miss list” for when you go to Lake Como…
Visit the villa Cipressi. Check the wedding calendar before staying there!
Islands to hit:
Bellagio
Menaggio
Varenna
House where Star Wars was filmed and many other cool things. Villa Balbiano
Take a class from the sculptor in bellagio ABELE BADACCA
Go see Gianni and Layla for the rugs but especially for the handmade jewelry she makes! @yaylaelelo
Great little restaurant in the cove for lemon ravioli. It’s worth it. Lido di Sala Comacina
I would love to know if you are enjoying this series and if there’s anything else you would like to know about travel or how to bring your inspiration home with you!
If you enjoyed reading about our time in Lake Como, you might enjoy the rest of our trip in Italy: Milan Venice