Is Bellagio the Best Looking Resort at Lake Como, Italy?

Panorama of Bellagio promontory, Lake Como, Italy, from the mountains above Varenna (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Villa Melzi (Bellagio), on Lake Como, Italy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) By Larry O


Seen from the water, Bellagio is undoubtedly the best-looking resort on the Lake. This is partly to do with its unique location - neither on the eastern nor the western side but on a promontory in the middle, where the Lake divides into two 'legs'. You might say that Bellagio nestles in the crotch of the Lake. On the other hand, you might not.
Because it's located a little way down the western side of the promontory, Bellagio faces you 'square on' as you approach it on a ferry boat from Menaggio or Cadenabbia. And because the hills on the promontory are (relatively) small, the town's handsome arrangement of red roofs and yellow, pink and white walls sits rather grandly in front of gently rounded, green slopes. It's one of the best examples of that harmony of nature and architecture that gives Lake Como its special appeal - striking enough to earn Bellagio the title of 'the pearl of the Lake'. But just to ward off any potential challenger for the title, the high mountains of the eastern branch contribute a spectacular, distant background to complete the perfect view.