There are plenty of grand villas and gardens to be visited around Lake Como.
Villa Carlotta is among the must-visit destinations. The mansion itself is fairly impressive and holds a reasonable collection of art, but it is the botanic garden that is the main attraction. Built into the steep mountain – expect plenty of up-and-down walking – it combines formal garden areas with quasi-wild growth of many flora species.
Villa Melzi, on the edge of Bellagio, boasts flatter and more expansive gardens, regal and romantic in one splendid package.
These and other pictures of Villa Carlotta and Villa Melzi have been added to my Lake Como Flickr set. Yet more to come.