Varenna and Villa Monastero

After a leisurely lunch in Bellagio, it was time to board the ferry once more for the short trip to the charming town of Varenna. Hanging over the side looking at the views was out of the question, as the heavens opened and shelter was sought in short order. Fortunately, the cloudburst did not last for long.
Our purpose was to visit the Villa Monastero. As its name suggests, the garden is constructed around the ruins of a monastery, built in the C16th. The residence is now an International Science and Convention Centre.
The surrounding garden is particularly long and narrow due to the topography and its winding paths closely follow Lake Como’s shoreline. It is renowned for a fine collection of Mediterranean and tropical plants, in particular an amazing ‘garden’ of rare citrus trees. These are planted close to the water’s edge and by rights should not survive in such northern climes. However, the garden faces south and the land rises sharply behind creating shelter from the cold and a favourable microclimate exists that enables exotic species such as these and many others to thrive. The planting is lush and as you might expect statues and fountains are dotted throughout in varying states of C16th decay. There are many beautiful viewpoints over the garden and the lake and the overall effect is really magical.
Close by is Villa Cipressi poised on a rocky promontory. Here is a Botanic Garden of succulents leading down from the beautiful terrace of what is now a very smart hotel. Its paths are steep and stepped and I had to take the easy option here, as I was not sure my knees would cope!
I settled down and ordered a pot of tea on the terrace having asked Peter to take some notes and photographs for me. This resulted in only one, as he seemed to think there was not much to take ?!!
And so ended our first day on Lake Como. It was time to retreat back to the Grand Hotel Menaggio for dinner, which was very fine. We will be extremely comfortable here I can see. The food, ambience and service are superb, not forgetting those magnificent views over the lake.Read more