There are some places that stop you in your tracks. Lake Como is one of them.
My husband is Italian, so Italy has always felt like a second home to me — I've been lucky enough to explore so many of its beautiful corners over the years. But Lake Como? That was our bucket list. And nothing quite prepared me for the moment I first saw the lake — that impossible shade of blue-green, framed by terracotta villas and mountains disappearing into the clouds. It felt like stepping into a painting.
The pace of it all
What struck me most was how unhurried everything felt. We wandered the cobblestone lanes of Bellagio — that impossibly pretty village perched at the tip of the lake's centre — ducking into little shops and stopping for long lunches that stretched into the afternoon. Tables dressed simply but beautifully — a linen cloth, a carafe of wine, a single flower in a glass. There's a lesson in that, I think. Beauty doesn't have to be complicated.
From Bellagio we took the ferry across to Varenna, a quieter, more romantic village clinging to the eastern shore. Narrow alleyways, bougainvillea spilling over stone walls, and the most breathtaking views back across the water. It felt like a secret.
We also spent time in Menaggio — a charming lakeside town with a lovely promenade, great little cafes, and that easy, unhurried energy that makes you want to stay forever. And no trip to the lake would be complete without exploring Como city centre itself — the grand cathedral, the silk shops, the buzz of a proper Italian town going about its day.
What I noticed
Everywhere I looked, there was something to inspire. We visited the legendary Villa d'Este in Cernobbio — one of the most beautiful hotels in the world — and wandered its immaculate gardens, taking in the grandeur of another era. The hand-painted ceramics, the way colour and texture were layered so effortlessly, the faded elegance of it all. I came home with a notebook full of ideas.
We also spent a quiet afternoon in Moltrasio, a tiny lakeside village that most tourists skip entirely. And that was exactly the point — a gelato by the water, no agenda, just the sound of the lake lapping at the shore. Pure magic.
Bringing it home
I've been thinking about how to translate that feeling into everyday life — and honestly, it starts at the table. A beautiful candle, a linen napkin, something handmade. The small things that make an ordinary Tuesday feel a little more Como.
If you're feeling inspired to recreate a little of that Italian magic at home, here are some of my favourite pieces for a colourful, Como-inspired table setting:
- Anna Blue Tablecloth (Round)
- Duck Egg Bleu Embroidered Placemat (Set of Two)
- St Tropez Blue Scalloped Placemats (Set of Two)
- Blue Polka Dot Plate
- Cocktail Napkin Blue and White Polka Dot
- Candle Holder Metal
More travel posts coming soon — because it turns out, the world is full of beautiful things worth writing about. 🌿