Lake Como: Panoramic Lake with Alpine View – and Homeschooling
Next stop on our trip through Northern Italy was Lago di Como, famous for its stunning scenery which attracts jetsetters and celebrities such as George Clooney throughout the year. Located on the border to Switzerland and with the Alps as the beautiful backdrop to the deep blue lake, Lago di Como is a breathtaking acquaintance.
Lago di Como is the third largest lake in Italy and one of the deepest lakes in Europe with a maximum depth of more than 400meters. Shaped as an upside-down Y, the lake’s southwest part is particularly known for its glamour and gorgeous views with the historic towns of Como, Bellagio and Tremezzo which attract tourists of all kinds.
We had chosen to stay a bit away from the busy tourist hubs in the south and instead spent the week further north in Musso, close to Dongo. Musso is a sleepy village on the western shore of Lago di Como and we stayed in a cozy holiday apartment with pool and beautiful views. It was a great base for exploring the lake and its surroundings yet being away from the crowds.
From Musso there is a 3km panoramic walk along the water which comes by several small beaches and cafes. This was great for beautiful walks with the kids (we even got to test our new hiking boots before travelling to the Alps😊), morning runs, swimming in the lake and having a morning coffee or early evening drink.
From Musso, it was also just a short walk to Dongo which was the next bigger town with several restaurants, ice cream shops and supermarkets. Dongo also has a museum called “End of the War” which tells the story of Lago di Como’s role in World War II and being the place where Benito Mussolini was captured while trying to escape in April 1945.
Bellagio and Como: Historic Towns with Gorgeous views
The best way to get around Lago di Como is using the ferries which run frequently from north to south and back. We took the ferry to Bellagio one day and enjoyed being on the lake and docking at several picturesque villages on the way. However, as we got closer to Bellagio the ferry did fill up and in COVID-19 times felt very crammed, despite everyone wearing masks.
Bellagio is one of the most well-known towns around Lago di Como, praised for its location between the two southern branches of the lake, its beautiful old villas and narrow, steep alleys. While very beautiful, it is also very touristy and crowded and I would definitely recommend anyone visiting to decide in advance what sights to see and where to eat to make the most of a visit to Bellagio – we came somewhat less prepared and while having a good time, more pre-research would have been an advantage and we could have avoided a few unnecessary and very steep detours!
We also visited Como which is Lago di Como’s main town. Como has a historic town center with many beautiful and well-preserved buildings including the Como Cathedral. The alleys are full of local and international fashion shops as well as numerous outdoor restaurants and cafes where one can have a small break and enjoy watching all the passers-by. Another highlight in Como is the waterfront promenade, which offers great views of the lake and the mountains.
While Bellagio and Como are definitely both worth a visit, we actually enjoyed our days in the Musso/Dongo area the most. We found the most spectacular thing about Lago di Como to be the view of the lake with the backdrop of the mountains – and this could also be enjoyed in the peace and quiet of the north rather than in the hustle and bustle of the south!
Start of Homeschooling
During our stay in Lago di Como, schools in Denmark started again after the summer holiday. Thanks to the flexibility of Niklas’ school, we have been allowed to homeschool him for a year and they have provided us with all the books his class will be using throughout the year. Moreover, we get a weekly schedule of what the class covers so we can cover the same.
The first week of homeschooling was a learning experience for us all – we all had to get used to a new way of structuring the day while on the road. Michael and I had to get into the mode of being (patient) teachers and Niklas had to find the concentration to do homework in a very different setting. While far from perfect, we got off to a good start and fingers crossed that we will soon get a routine where homeschooling is a natural part of the morning, followed by afternoon travelling highlights!
Our next destination after Lago di Como is the Austrian Alps which will be the topic of the next blog.
