Destination: Lake Como

Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Angelina Jolie—if nothing says "luxury destination" like rumored celebrity sightings, then Italy’s Lake Como definitely fits the high-end bill. Here, clients can spend languid days by a stunning lake, stroll through magnificent gardens, take in the ruins of an old castle, savoring a gourmet dinner by the shore, and round out their luxury experience with a bottle of wine under a bougainvillea-wrapped arcade.

The biggest decision of the day might be which village, if any, to explore. Lingering on a balcony viewing the panorama of lake and mountains or curling up on a sofa in a grand drawing room might consume most of the day.

The most beautiful part of Lake Como is the mid-lake area. Here Bellagio, Menaggio, Varenna and Tremezzo are just boat rides apart.

With its pastel buildings, geraniums spilling from window boxes and stepped streets threading up and down its hills, Bellagio is the prettiest of the lake towns. Clients can wander to the Punta Spartivento, where two legs of the lake meet, and snuggle on a bench soaking up the drama of the placid lake and dramatic mountains.

Varenna is the best-preserved medieval town on the lake. The amorous award at the end of a 30-minute steep walk from Varenna is Lake Como’s most romantic spot—the ruins of the hilltop Castello di Vezio.

In Menaggio, clients can enjoy a lakeside promenade followed by a cappuccino in the lovely waterfront piazza.

Poking around a villa offers a glimpse of a bygone style of life, one of elegance and wealth. Late spring brings a breathtaking profusion of blooming azaleas and rhododendrons to many villa gardens, such as those at Villa Melzi, which is just a short lakefront walk from Bellagio. The early 18th-century Villa Carlotta, at Tremezzo, is noted for neo-classical art, Empire-style French furniture and sculptures by Antonio Canova. Outside, a wooded park and formal Italianate garden beckon. Lovers in search of seclusion venture uphill to an area of streams, beech trees, Japanese maples and palms.

Villa del Balbianello is absolutely enchanting. Set on its own little promontory, it features terraces, a small church and an intriguing garden loggia covered with vines trained in a twisting pattern. Staying in a lakeside resort brings couples into that romantic world of grand old hotels, one where guests dine leisurely, stroll about the grounds and spend a rainy morning reading in beautifully appointed drawing rooms. The quoted rates are for the high season (generally May through September) and include breakfast. Lake Como’s hotels are open from March 1 through early November. Rooms in these resorts are air-conditioned and have satellite television.

Villa d’Este is the legendary grande dame of Lake Como resorts. Surrounded by a 10-acre private park with terraces, gardens and fountains, this 16th-century villa lures lovers of any age. There’s an appealing floating swimming pool on the lake. Villa d’Este has 161 individually decorated guest rooms, with period furniture, fine paintings, Como silk upholstery and marble bathrooms with whirlpool tubs. Villa d’Este is in Cernobbio, three miles from Como, about two hours by boat to Bellagio. Rates for a full lake view begin at 890 Euros, or about $1,068.

The five-star Grand Hotel Tremezzo is in a turn-of-the-century villa in the middle of a 12 ½-acre private park, next to Villa Carlotta and across the lake from Bellagio. It has 98 rooms and two suites. Recent refurbishment has brought fashionable new fabrics to the lake view rooms and new bathrooms to the deluxe rooms. Guests can sip an aperitif or enjoy lunch on the deck of the floating pool on the lake. Rates for a lake view double room begin at 452 Euros, or about $542.

The elegant, five-star Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni perches on the headlands of Bellagio. It has three restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, a diving platform in the lake, tennis courts, exercise room and spa. There are 61 rooms and 20 suites. Some classic double rooms have lake views with rates beginning at 370 Euros, or about $444.

You don’t need a newly-minted marriage license to take advantage of the value-packed honeymoon packages that these hotels offer. For example, The Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s 3-night package includes one candlelight dinner on the hotel’s terrace, a highly romantic meal at an outdoor table set right beside the lake in a picturesque village and a 1-hour boat trip on the lake, accompanied by a bottle of Italian spumante. Rates range from 825 to 1,215 Euros (about $990-$1458).

For more information on Lake Como, contact the Italian Government Tourism Office in New York at (212) 245-4822 or visit www.italiantourism.com Call Prestige Travel for more details on these fine hotels, 772-231-2201

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