Lake Como Idyll - Assouline Coffee Table Book

In Northern Italy, bordered by the Alps, lies one of the most coveted yet surprisingly unassuming vacation destinations in the world. Taking the shape of an inverted Y, Lake Como features a sumptuous trail of picturesque towns along its shores, its two arms Como to the west, Lecco to the eastmeeting in the town of Bellagio. In the early mornings, an eerie mistperhaps the source of Lake Comos alluring old- fashioned mystiquehangs suspended over the lakes surface. As the sun rises, the magnificent gardens of Villa dEste, Passalacqua and Villa del Balbianello come to life, the fragrant greenery of cypress and oak trees tickling the senses, as if youve stepped into the pages of Italys most famous novel, Alessandro Manzonis The Betrothed (1827), set in Lake Como. After a day spent enjoying scenic walks, lazing lakeside on the floating swimming pool at the Mandarin Oriental or relishing in the rich traditions reminiscent of times past, perhaps youll be whisked away across the glittering lake in a luxurious Riva boat, destined to cross paths with local villa owner George Clooney. In Lake Como Idyll, a magical Italian getaway awaits, complete with romantic intrigue, bucolic escapes and enchanting landscapes.