Now the summer is almost over, although as i write we are enjoying 32 degrees on the lake in late September, attention turns to Autumn with snug pullovers and scarves,chestnuts, mushrooms, truffles and the red glow of autumn leaves as well as the glow of the red wine! We have some excellent tips to ensure you make the most of the up and coming seasons on the lake included below.

Looking back summer here on the lake was as popular as ever hosting firework display upon display
classic car shows and a series of outdoor opera and classical music events around the lake to the mesmerising lake back drop and balmy summer nights. For those of you that holidayed here in Como we have located this video of a steamer on the lake to help cast your mind back to those long lazy lake filled summer days

In this quarters blog we focus on the best restaurants Como has to offer when thinking of booking for either next summer or some hidden gems ideal for all year dining, skiiing oppotunities, Christmas shopping, Weddings and the Power boat championships coming to the lake in October!

AUTUMN

Lake Como Autumnal Gastronomy Squirrel foraging festival held in Lenno along the lake-goldo di Venere.All welcome. Sunday October 2 12.00 with all the locals in attendance(Warning-may contain nuts) Get ready for polenta, porcini and truffles all of which are coming to a plate near you if you are holidaying here on the lake this autumn.

RESTAURANT TOP 10 (2011 REVIEW)

We have updated our restaurant guide to ensure we keep you up to date with the finest culinary delights the lake can muster.

Thank you to the restauranteers on the lake for their hospitality and a special thank you to Julie for her unwavering devotion to tasting every last drop of wine. “Vino did flow!!”

Tuck in and enjoy…

10. Bilacus (Bellagio) This centrally located Bellagio restaurant has been awooing the crowds for many a year. Renowned for its warm atmosphere, tranquil garden setting and attentive service admist the bluster of mainly US and Uk tourists and yet the service ensures you are not treated as one. Simple staples such as asparagus soup, grilled turbot and prawn tagliatelle are served to perfection.

9. Locanda Sant Anna (Schignano) The Peroni family specialise in mountain food with a touch of panache. To you and me that is deer with bluberries and polenta or cooked osso buco which is accompanied with the famed milanse risotto as well as my favourite of potato and cheese ravioli with fresh porcini mushrooms (when in season) and the other half who plumps every time for the sformatino (souffle with cream, cheese and porcini mushroom) Superb wine list from throughout Italy. Pair their creative Lombardian dishes with a wine from Vallentina, my choice would be the aged “Canua Conti Sertoli Salis” An excellent venue for sunday lunch, a real crowd pleaser amongst the italians. Dine inside or out (excellent all year venue)

8. Darsena (Tremezzo) Arguably the best restaurant of any hotel on the lake in the mid to medium high price range. Don’t be put off that the restaurant forms part of the hotel, indeed in Italy some of the best restaurants are found within such establishments. Dishes impeccably served and presented in a formal atmoshere which can lean towards a little stuffy on times but nevertheless the location, subtle flavours and outstanding wine list make this a real gem for special occasions.

7. Piazetta (Argegno) Italian dining and more meets masterchef. Creative dishes such aspargaus risotto and crispy bacon with a balsamic reduction or even Salmon with a teriyaki sauce are not your usual dishes found along the lake shores here in Como. Small menu with the emphasis very much centering on quality over quantity. Set in the heart of the village, as the name sugguests, an ideal location to people watch or be watched. Attentive service and warm atmosphere inside or out. A favourite with the weekend Milanese Ferrari set. Look out for the Flavio Briatore look alikes accompanied by an impossibly younger companion making a beeline for this dining retreat.

6. La Tirlinda (Sala Comacina) Picture perfect location right on the lake with only the bobbing boats seperating you from the Isola Comacina island. Lemon ravioli, seafood antipasto, squid ink papardelle with shellfish are all perennial favourites here. An ideal spot to moor your boat to the nearby jetty and enjoy a long, lazy lunch or for a romantic evening gastronomic treat as you take in that view.

5. Il Ristorante (Da Paolo) Menaggio. The jewel in the crown of Menaggio eateries. The enviable location in the piazza married with impeccable service forms the backdrop to fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere. Amongst the many favourites the prawn and scallop ravioli with creamy sauce is the talking point with guests. Team it with Tocai from Fruili, it may change your view on Italian white wines forever.
Perfect alfesco dining on a hot summer day or dine inside.?5. Il Ristorante (Da Paolo) Menaggio. The jewel in the crown of Menaggio eateries. The enviable location in the piazza married with impeccable service forms the backdrop to fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere. Amongst the many favourites the prawn and scallop ravioli with creamy sauce is the talking point with guests. Team it with Tocai from Fruili, it may change your view on Italian white wines forever. Perfect alfesco dining on a hot summer day or dine inside.

4. Il Glicine (Cernobbio) For those who agree with the adage that you can’t eat a view then Glicine with its pretty garden terrace setting will tick all the culinary boxes you demand from a restaurant. Seabass with fried artichockes or slow cooked guancia (beef cheek) with mostarad (mustard fruits) are just two examples of the small family team of chef’s creativity. The knowledgeable (and fortunately never condesending) sommelier is on hand to offer excellent wines to accompany every dish. The sympathetically traditional interior makes for an ideal autumn and winter venue.

3. Il Tigli (Como City, next to the funicular) Fine dining, chef’s treats, sea fish specialities, home made bread with butter whipped into cream like soft peaks the memories will stay long into the mind. The fritto misto (mixed fish lightly fried) or the seabass with green beans and a balsamic reduction are a triumph as Michael Winner would say. The passionate sommelier will help you match these culinary delights with the carefully selected wine list. Unmissable-or to put it another way your bouche will certainly be amused. Ideal eatery all year ’round.

2. Crotto dei Platani (Brienno) Charasmatic owner Franchesco and his staff ensure a warm welcome.The terrace is on the lake boasts breathtaking lake views and makes with a memorable dining experience. Seasonal favourites include parpadelle with black umbrian truffle, Chickpea soup with king prawns and the lamb with seasonal root vegetable- all presented and cooked to perfection. Sommelier Fabrizio will keep you abreast of all that is good in italian wine. Book ahead to guarantee your lakeside perch to enjoy this fine dining extravaganza to the fullest. Open all year with conservatory style interior.

1. Darsena Di Loppia (Bellagio) Located behind Villa Melzi and a little off the main tourist trail of Bellagio this restaurant is a real hidden gem but not amongst locals. The Chef worked at Michelin starred Villa Serballoni as well as finding inspiration for his dishes in Lugano. The husband and wife team supervise proceedings to ensure all ingredients are of the highest quality and freshly prepared.The chef’s tasting menu is sublime from the stuffed zucchini flowers with tomato coulis to homemade fresh fish soup to the tiramisu with apricot coulis and much. Everthing was historic. Alfresco dining in the garden would be my choice to enjoy the experience of a balmy summer night at it’s peak. Superb value for cuisine of this standing. Book ahead or miss this at your peril.

FORMALA 1 WORLD POWERBOAT RACING CHAMPIONSHIP
CERNOBBIO, LAKE COMO 14 to 16 October 2012

Takes place in the town of Cernobbio, a town on the shores of spectacular Lake Como to host the Grand Prix
of Italy, the third leg of the UIM World Championship powerboat Class1 14 to 16 October 2011.

An event of great importance for the promoter Nicolo di San Germano of Class1 – which, with the
F1H2O Championship, was on Lake Como for 11 times from 1981 to 2006 – because it is particularly welcomes the fact that this lake is just the first in the new location brought by H2o Calendar of Class1.
It will also be the first time ever that the Class1 will make its appearance on Lake Como.
“We are very happy to have brought our sport over the waters of Lake Como – said Nicolo di San Germano – and in particular in Cernobbio with a World Championship event. For us it is Prefect compete in a location as spectacular and deeply rooted in the history of major Power Boat Racing and associated with important drivers of both the past and the future of Class 1 “.

Lake Como is widely considered as the “living room of the powerboat” both nationally and International. In the immediate neighborhood of many of the most prestigious sites as many of the most important “ambassadors” of the sport of any era: Renato Molinari, 18 times world champion powerboat (3 F1), Guido Cappellini (10 times F1 World Champion), the brothers Abbate, Tullio Bruno, and the most recent Stefano Casiraghi, who won the Class 1 world title in 1989.

The battle for the title this year takes hours in Cernobbio, where the defending champions, and Arif Al Zafeen Nadir Bin Hendi lead the standings with five points ahead of the historic rival Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani and Steve Curtis, who won the last stage of Arendal in Norway.

But the battle to become the first Italian winner of the Grand Prix of Italy from the days when, in 1997
Taranto, Edoardo Polli and Lamberto Leoni won the race, will be among Matteo Nicolini – currently third in the charts with Spirit of Quatar (also the last Italian to win a major international title with the
European Championship 2005) – the hero of the house Guido Cappellini and Gaimpaolo Montavoci with their Poliform and Fendi Fendi Formilli racing Luke and John-the Capital last Italian to win a GP Class1 (Uddevalla, Sweden 2010)

We have a few apartments still available just 10 minutes drive from Cernobbio, please ask for details and be sure to secure your property in what promises to be a memorable weekend.

WEDDINGS

Now taking wedding bookings for 2012. Our local wedding planner friends will help find the most suitable venue for your wedding and help make your day a sensation! Please ask for details.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

Winter in Como http://www.comotourism.it/como/index.php/en/como-markets.html
Lake Como Christmas Markets Markets in Como www.comotourism.it

If you are searching for that special gift for a loved one there are not many places better than Milan or the Como Boutiques to find that special present.

Milan is easy to reach by car or train plus Fox Town Designer outlet in Mendrisio (Switzerland) is easily reachable located just 20 minutes from Como.

We are now taking bookings apartments and villa’s for Chrismas shopping breaks so please enquire for details.

SKI-ING

Lake Como may not be renowned for its skiing possiblities however Lanzo offers a small ski retreat popular amongst locals perched 20 minutes north of Argegno on the west coast of the lake as well as a 90 minute spectacular journey to San Mortiz or Madesimo all ideal for a snow filled fun day out.

Have a wonderful autumn. We will be back in prior with the Winter blog. In the meantime please keep checking the site for new homes to be added shortly. Villas with pools already filling up nicely for summer 2012 so please do not wait to ensure you secure your favourite pick of the properties!

Thanks to all our customers for your loyal and continued support.

Cordiale Salute
Barrie & Julie

Welcome to the Summer edition of the Lake Como blog.

 Plain sailing…

New Book – An Italian Home

An Italian Home
“Settling Beside Lake Como” by Paul Wright.

A new non-fiction book of his entitled “An Italian Home”  published by Earlswood Press was born this year, written by Argegno resident, artist, writer and friend Paul Wright. Covering his and his wife’s experiences of settling into Italian culture. The book covers a multitude of stories of settling then living on Lake Como from selling art and being paid offered payment in the shape of with frozen chickens and goats to organising residency and language issues.Speaking from personal experience i would back up these claims save the one regarding frozen chickens and goats, naturally.

On sale via Amazon, e-books and in retail shops in the UK at £7.99

An Italian Home

Paul Wright is also a professional artist who has been painting watercolours of Lake Como and its villages for twenty-years. After he arrived from England he lived and worked from his studio base in Moltrasio on the west-side of the lake for the first thirteen-years and then he moved ten kilometers further along the lake road to the pretty, medieval village of Argegno where he opened an art studio overlooking the lake. He sells mainly to overseas visitors to his studio or he exports his paintings by registered post and his prices are moderate.

If required he will forward attachments of his recent works via his e-mail address info@wrightart.com

Paul’s is also a muralist and a paint effect specialist of some renown with a client list that includes some very famous celebrities. He is also a painter of furniture using the Trompe l’Oeil technique that is unique and it has to be seen to be believed. Before he came to Italy he worked in London Theatres, BBC TV and films for television as a set designer and scenic artist.

To view his art career CV please look www.wrightart.com

Most recently with Louise Walsh choosing his final three groups for the 2009 X-Factor TV program. Richard Branson’s magnificent villa was the backdrop for the selection process where he was also joined by Ronan Keating.

LAKE COMO..THE X and Y FACTOR.

Lake Como is often compared to depicting an upside down Y or wishbone shape when viewed from the sky.

Fresh from filming last year at Villa Casinella in Lenno an edition of the X Factor with none other than Louis Walsh and Ronan Keating (hold the applause please) we bring you news of another famous musician with links to Como.

The lead singer of Muse, Matt Bellamy has had a home and recording studio near Lake Como.

Bellamy chose Cpmo for noth it’s scenery and it’s musical past. A lover of classical composers, his house is reported to be located close to Villa Herker Hocevari & Villa Passalacqua in Moltrasio, where Vincenzo Bellini, a celebrated 19th-century opera composer, spent several years.Bellamy told reporters”When I’m in playing the piano, I know I’m in the same place where a couple of hundred years ago some great music was being written.”

Magically Como…

Keep up to date with news and events amongst Como high society and humble rental managers here in this comprehensive quartely guide

http://www.comosmagiclake.com/magic/index.php?l=en

Olive Oil direct from the factory.

Here in Lenno you can visit the olive oil factory for Como and buy superb oil, ideal for your stay or a souvenir

(alternatively you can pick it up in Sainsbury’s!)

http://www.oliovanini.it/index.php/en/history-and-tradition.html

Welcome back to the early summer Como blog. Here on the lake Summer arrived early with temperatures reaching 30 degrees in early April.

Flowers are in full bloom showing off a riot of colour against the stunning lake and mountain back drop. Now is the perfect time to visit the lake and the majestic gardens of Carlotta, Melzi and Balbianello. In this months edition we have handy tips for booking flights to the lake, more idyllic villa and garden news care of Gardener’s World plus news of a famous resident celebrating reach the big 50 as well as someone video’s of the lake to whet your enthusiasm to visit Como.
Plus you can keep up to date with what is happening in and around Italy by clicking the news link below-The Corriere daily italian newspaper now available in english!

Things round the like swing into action from the golf club in Menaggio www.menaggio.it to Jazz evening in late summer at the Villa Balbianello

Get in the mood for your holiday and watch A month by the Lake starring Vanessa Redgrave http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1083481088/tt0113849

Don’t forget to refer back to us for the latest apartments and villa’s available inc new homes, offers and updates or contact us for any help or special requirements to help plan the perfect break.

In the meanitme, sit back uncork a nice chilled bottle or Rose and take in your mesmerising view from your favourite Lake Como hideaway-we have something for everyone amongst our holiday home pages.

Enjoy the summer!

Salute!

Barrie & Julie.

Booking your flights to Italy? Check out this handy guide.

Airwise European Airports Guide

Read all about it…

Read what Berlusconi is up to, latest recipies and catch up with the weather forecast. Italy’s favourite daily paper now available in English!
http://www.corriere.it/english/

Italy – Travel Italy Video Guide – WebVisionItaly.com

Travel Italy with WebVisionItaly.com Italy travel video guides to Italy hotels, restaurants in Italy, and Italy destinations Rome, Florence and Venice.

Many Happy Returns…

Happy birthday to the lake’s most famous resident Mr Clooney (6 May) 50 today!

Plain sailing…

http://www.lakecomo.it/en/territory/sailing

The valleys surrounding Lake Como are some of the most beautiful areas in the Prealps, rich in vegetation and populated by numerous animal species. It is a homogeneous area from which many excursions start along old military roads and trails towards mountain pastures and refuges. The Grigna, Resego

Lake Como on screen

Green fingered fans…

Watch Lake Como as featured on Gardner’s World ( 6 May 2011)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_3xXFdXuHY

Lake on fire!

San Giovanni festival (last weekend in June) kicks off the annual round of firework display happening around the lake till late August.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z3qGMFDDSk This video was taken from my home in Lenno however i recommending booking The Tirlindana restaurant in Sala Comacina now to ensure your lakeside seat!

HD nowhere!

Shows and Events (with knobs on!)

http://www.villadeste.com/en/13/home.aspx Check out the latest events at the lake’s most celebrated home Villa D’este where Elisabeth Taylor honeymooned with Conrad “Nicky” Hilton 4 July Independance day fireworks are a perennial favourite.

Be sure to refer back reguarly for the latest information and updates to all that is happening on the lake now and in the upcoming months.

FOOTBALL

Champions league football returns in February 1 hour from the lake.
Inter v Bayern Munich
Milan v Spurs
www.inter.it book tickets for Champions league for Inter or Ac Milan http://www.acmilan.com/
1 hour from Como
http://picasaweb.google.com/italianrentals/ARGEGNOAPARTAMENTO#5400661330399500370

Welcome to the first Winter blog here from snow covered Lake Como. We plan to bring you the latest news, celebrity gossip and plenty of tips as to news and events as well as lots of recommendations from coffee houses to ski destinations.
Be sure to refer back reguarly for the latest information and updates to all that is happening on the lake now and in the upcoming months.

Feel free to email us italianrentals@gmail.com for any questions or information you require to ensure you get the very most from your stay on the lake!

NATIVITY

The closest thing to Bethlehem this side of Italy!

Great excitement in Argegno as the traditional Nativity takes place on January 1, as indeed it does every year, around the village with all the locals (well 99% anyway) dressed in biblical outfits and scenes. Click here to view http://picasaweb.google.com/italianrentals/ARGEGNOAPARTAMENTO#5423016879510521538

SHOPPING

Italian fashion bargains anyone? Serious sales begin 6 January 2011 in Como http://picasaweb.google.com/italianrentals/LENNOAPARTAMENTO03#5554189812711290130 and Milan (less than an hour from Como)http://picasaweb.google.com/italianrentals/LENNOAPARTAMENTO03#5399799964812388194
Pick up some italian silk or those Prada boots you’ve had your eye on for up to half price!

For us men tagging along there is always a hot chocolate at one of the pretty pavement cafe to enjoy or even better a warming glass of red from Valtellina, Piemonte and Tuscany waiting for you! http://picasaweb.google.com/italianrentals/2010040902#5548711988766781730(mauve scarf optional!)

FOOTBALL

Champions league football returns in February 1 hour from the lake.
Inter v Bayern Munich
Milan v Spurs
www.inter.it book tickets for Champions league for Inter or Ac Milan http://www.acmilan.com/
1 hour from Como
http://picasaweb.google.com/italianrentals/ARGEGNOAPARTAMENTO#5400661330399500370

GOLF

Book now for your spring and summer break,something for everyone from Golf to cookery and art or wine tasting (see below)
Menaggio and Cadenabbia are a favourite for visitors and locals alike here on the lake.
The number of ladies looking to take up the sport has swelled since a famous American visitor joined the ranks here!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8KMbZ_aoZA&feature=youtu.be

CELEBRITY NEWS

Speaking of which ladies, you may be lucky enough to bump into a certain Mr Clooney while you are here on the lake, with his holiday home situated here in Laglio. Here is a sneek preview on how to handle the situation ( or not!) http://www.italianapartments.co.uk/about-lake-como/lake-como-videos/george-clooney-not-included
Spot the villa filmed here in Tremezzo http://picasaweb.google.com/italianrentals/ArgegnoGardenApartment#5163504318430730946
Star spotting in Lenno, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGwZ7MNtBFU Gwen Stefani filmed this Cool video here in Lenno. You may be able to make out Richard Branson’s villa in the backround http://picasaweb.google.com/italianrentals/LENNOAPARTAMENTO03#5119781737560733314 as well as the villa below http://picasaweb.google.com/italianrentals/ARGEGNOAPARTAMENTO#5119742490149581762 who i am reliably told Silvio Berlusconi allegedly offered 30 million for this lakeside villa but was swiftly informed by the owner they would not sell to him for even 50 milllion euros. The proprietor is obviously not a fan of gaffs, permatans, hair transplants or saucy sex games (allegedly!)…. or just perhaps the P.M’s brand of politics.
When 007 came to the lake for Casino Royale he stopped by at the baddies lair here in San Siro http://picasaweb.google.com/italianrentals/ARGEGNOAPARTAMENTO#5119742361300562834
See our near by apartments in Menaggio and San Siro as well as Villa Balbianello in Lenno http://picasaweb.google.com/italianrentals/LENNOAPARTAMENTO03#5458160682032219890
Open from April to October, see visitors site here http://www.fondoambiente.it/beni/villa-del-balbianello.asp#
Villa Olmo, Cernobbio. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts and G.C
Still waiting for the after film regular knees up at Clooney’s laglio villa (in fairness he did invite his cleaners!)
Ocean’s 12 http://picasaweb.google.com/italianrentals/ArgegnoGardenApartment#5251833093767870898

PASTA E GELATO

Brand new fresh pasta store now open in Como http://picasaweb.google.com/italianrentals/ArgegnoGardenApartment#5554190768692669506serving ravioli and every shape of pasta available. Our favourties for hom made pasta also found in Cernobbio, Argegno bakery and Mezzegra

Best ice cream store…Menaggio ( in the main pedestrian shopping area to the left of the church) or the search for Italy’s finest ice cream parlour to date in our view visit Chocolat in Milan- The Chocolate fondante is a perennial favourite, located close to Cadorna tube station and only 2 stops from The Duomo in the very heart of Milan,…the queues in summer go on for miles and are only a little smaller in the depth’s of the winter!!

COFFEE

It’s difficult to find a cafe establishment anywhere along the lake that fails to deliver top notch coffe however some our favourites include Cafe Columbo in Argregno http://picasaweb.google.com/italianrentals/ARGEGNOAPARTAMENTO#5272555668777365394 close to the fountain, Trattoria Tex in Menaggio close the post office or Gabbiano close to the Lido or in Cernobbio an olde style tea room on the main road just a few doors down from the 5 Star Villa D’este

ART

Book now for Art classes in Lenno, the perfect back drop to all painting enthusiasts
Please ask for details.
http://picasaweb.google.com/italianrentals/2010040902#5548711988766781730

WINE

I could, or rather my wife could, devote the whole of this blog to wine such is the devotion to vino from everyone here on the grape, sorry i mean lake, so we will try and restrain ourselves. Organised wine tasting for groups and parties on the lake http://www.cantinafollie.it/index.php in Tremezzo now available
Your hosts Joost & Deborah are both knowledgable, friendly and provide an excellent choice of wines to sample
In Argegno Alberto, Luca and Valentina await to bring the local wine experience par excellence amongst the locals. Click here http://www.pensavomeglio.it/eventi.php for updates or email us direct for the latest wine evening showcasing the very best in Italian Wine from Piemonte to Puglia and from Brunello to Barolo.
Be warned once you visit either venue, you are hooked and your search for you favourite holiday haunt is over!

SKIING

Local skiing available in Lanzo, 30 minutes north of Argegno and the western side of the lake.http://picasaweb.google.com/italianrentals/ArgegnoGardenApartment#5280172066671875298
Ideal for beginners with both ski schools for adults and children alike. A longer and little more demanding slope is available with ski lift and pass for intermediates.
Madesimo http://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/Italy/Madesimo.html approx 90 minutes north of the lake Or just 2 hours away you can cross (ski) paths or chink your glasses with the super rich and royals in San Mortiz http://www.stmoritz.ch/en/winter/activities.html

TOURIST INFO

For the latest updates see http://www.lakecomo.it/eng/index_eng.asp

Events and concerts http://www.lakecomo.it/st07/fld/pagine_asp/list_public.asp
See Lake Como panoroma in 360 degrees http://www.turismo.regione.lombardia.it/visual/

WEATHER

The latest  5 day forecast on the lake (taken from Menaggio)
http://www.ilmeteo.it/triorario8k.php?citta=4009
That’s all for now folks. Please refer back to here for regular updates, to view new homes added each month or email us at italianrentals@gmail.com for more details or requests.

Augurando a tutti voi un felice anno nuovo dal Lago di Como.

Wishing you all a happy new year from Lake Como.
Barrie & Julie