Tremezzo
[soundtrack. gypsy woman]
It was only one day, but what a day it was!
My friend Cols flew in as a surprise from Paris and together we took a car from Cernobbio to Tremezzo (just 30 mins) to spend the day as guests at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo on the banks of Lake Como.
Our driver - a charming Italian man named Alberto - took great joy in telling us stories of those he had driven before us (including George Clooney, twice). He even pointed out Clooney's villa, speaking exceptionally highly of the handsome actor who now calls Lake Como home (or, one of his homes I should say).
As we arrived at the hotel, looking up, we were blown away by its size and scale. The Grand Hotel Tremezzo, with its floating pool on the lake, is a grand and ornate mansion which was once the summer playground for wealthy Lombard Aristocrats.
With beautifully lush and hydrangea-filled gardens, there is another pool tucked away - on its garden terrace - and one inside the luxurious spa as well. Plenty of swimming options!
We were fortunate enough to experience a luxurious spa treatment at the T Spa with its wooden sauna with windows looking out over the lake.
The highlight though was lunch down at T Beach (a private 'beach' on the edge of the lake) by the floating pool. With Campari Spritzs in hand, we ate fresh seafood and caprese salad and watched the life on the lake go by. There are five restaurant and bar options at the hotel, but this one seems to be the most informal. It is said that Greta Garbo used to come and dine in the more fancy and romantic “La Terrazza” restaurant, renowned as being one of the most beautiful dining options on Lake Como.
Like I said, we only had the day...but it really is beautiful here (and if budget allows, I think it's worth the extra splurge).
*Check out our Cernobbio guide for more of our favourite places on the lake.