Are you in Lake Como (or planning to go to) however the climate will not be cooperating? We’ve bought you! Right here’s what to do in Lake Como when it rains – together with Bellagio and Varenna!
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We’ve written a good bit about Lake Como not too long ago, and in consequence, we’ve visited the lake a number of instances in all completely different seasons – in summer time, when the lake is filled with vacationers, in autumn and spring (the most effective instances to go to Lake Como) and even winter, when the lake is actually quiet and simply magical.
Now, all of us agree that Lake Como is beautiful on a pleasant, sunny day, when the sky over the height of the Alps is sapphire colored and the solar shines over the deep blue waters of the Lake.
Nevertheless, you might not be so fortunate if you go to. The climate could also be cloudy and grey, or wet. I personally suppose that the wonderful mist you generally get in Lake Como in winter is gorgeous, however what about heavy rain? That’s not enjoyable in Lake Como!
Bother is, it could certainly be wet if you go to. That’s why we’ve come to your rescue with this information on what to do in Como when it rains – and belief me, we’ve had a good quantity of rain between Como, Varenna and Bellagio!
Is Lake Como Value Visiting within the Rain?
Let’s say you’re already in Milan and planning to visit Lake Como on a day trip, however the forecast says it’s going to rain. Do you have to nonetheless go?
We are saying OH YES! For 2 causes. First, regardless that rain could also be on the forecast for your entire day, it’s unlikely it’s going to rain for hours and hours. So you will have an hour or two at most of heavy rain (and now we have 10 concepts on what to do throughout that point), after which simply clouds… and even sunshine and a rainbow in the event you’re fortunate!
Second, Lake Como is much much less busy when it rains. You gained’t need to combat for a spot on the ferry or navigate crowds within the historic centre of the preferred Lake Como cities like Bellagio and Varenna.
So, the reply is YES! Lake Como is value visiting within the rain!
When is the Wet Season on Lake Como?
This query is rather a lot tougher to reply. Italy doesn’t have a ‘wet season’ as such. It could rain any time throughout the 12 months, for just a few hours or longer.
The driest time of the 12 months is normally winter, particularly the month of January (which additionally occurs to be the coldest). Spring is sort of wet, particularly the months of March and April – late October and November will also be fairly moist.
In summer time, wet days are fairly uncommon, however you might come throughout some night downpours – days when the climate is good and sunny till 5 or 6 PM, then all of it will get darkish and begins raining closely for a short time. If so, simply discover a good bar and sit down for an Aperol spritz, it will likely be over earlier than you understand it!
Lastly, don’t overlook that due to local weather change, the climate in Lake Como is extraordinarily unpredictable. There’s no ‘dry’ or ‘wet’ season on Lake Como, so simply go to when you may and profit from it!
10 Issues to do in Lake Como When It Rains
1) Go to a Villa
Top-of-the-line issues to do in Lake Como when it rains is to visit the majestic villas. The lake is legendary for its opulent villas, and there are lots to select from. Many of the villas have stunning gardens, however wet days are good for investigating the inside of the villas.
Among the many most spectacular, you discover Villa Carlotta, a Seventeenth-century villa, well-known for its huge artwork assortment together with work and sculptures from the Seventeenth and 18th centuries. Villa Balbianello is one other emblematic place to go to for its artwork. Most famously, it features a distinctive assortment of Seventeenth and 18th century furnishings from England and France.
Villa Monastero can be nice to go to with its home museum the place 8 centuries of historical past are revealed via the meticulously embellished rooms.
2) Take a Stroll within the Historic Heart of Como
Como’s historic heart is a superb place to go for a stroll even when it rains. There are many cafés and eating places to cease by to heat up everytime you really feel prefer it, however there are additionally many spectacular sights to go to. Step contained in the Duomo of Como, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Inside, you discover stunning non secular sculptures, intricate altarpieces, and stained glass home windows.
Subsequent to the Duomo, you discover the previous City Corridor, or Broletto as it’s identified regionally. The Gothic facade is gorgeous with its arches and polychrome marble. Lately, the Broletto is used for artwork exhibitions and occasions making it the proper place to flee the rain.
One other attraction that’s value visiting is the Basilica of Sant’Abbondio, a Romanesque church proper outdoors the town partitions. Particularly the 14th-century frescoes are magnificent!
3) See the Tempio Voltiano
The Tempio Voltiano is a neoclassical memorial to Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the electrical battery and an area of Como. It was inbuilt 1927, precisely 100 years after his demise.
There’s a museum inside, devoted to Volta’s life and innovations, with an incredible assortment of scientific devices utilized by scientists of his time. You may as well see an instance of the primary electrical battery.
Inside, you may also study extra about thermoelectricity and Volta’s contribution to discovering it in a brief video displayed within the museum. The inside can be stunning with columns holding up the central dome and inscriptions within the wall and ceiling.
4) Tour the Silk Museum in Como
Como is legendary for its silk manufacturing which grew to become an essential business for the town already within the Sixteenth century. So why not go to the Museo della Seta (Silk Museum) when you are there? The Silk Museum in Como is the world’s solely silk museum that covers your entire silk manufacturing from the silk worms to the coloured textiles.
You possibly can discover an unlimited assortment of things utilized in Como’s silk manufacturing all through historical past from massive equipment to completely different working instruments. There are additionally previous paperwork associated to the business – so that you mainly get the entire image of how the luxurious silk gadgets got here to life.
5) Head to the Moto Guzzi Museum in Mandello
Motorbike fans will probably be thrilled to go to the Moto Guzzi Museum in Mandello. The Moto Guzzi Eagle was born on this city in 1921 by the locals Carlo Guzzi and Giorgio Parodi. The 2 founders designed the world’s first devoted touring bike and have been trailblazers in creating bikes in Italy, from 1921 onwards.
There are over 80 motorbikes within the museum from classical bikes to sports activities bikes and it’s actually fascinating to study extra concerning the history of the famous motorcycle brand. In addition to the bikes, there are prototypes and experimental engines, and you may also watch a movie concerning the founders and the Moto Guzzi growth.
6) Go to a Spa
A wet day in Lake Como is ideal for a soothing spa day. There are a number of spas across the lake set in historic villas, however why not go huge and keep within the upscale Grand Resort Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio? Whether or not you desire a manicure or a whole physique therapy, you may be in good arms. The spa has obtained a number of celebrities like Madonna and Elton John.
Villa d’Este is one other opulent Lake Como villa with a powerful spa division. The Sixteenth-century villa is a wonderful mix of recent and basic the place you may get pleasure from something from caviar mud masks to massages. Additionally Tremezzo has an incredible spa on the Grand Resort within the 18th-century Villa Emilia, with a spread of signature spa experiences with Santa Maria Novella merchandise.
In addition to physique remedies, you may loosen up in heated swimming pools, saunas, and steam rooms which can heat you up earlier than exploring extra of Lake Como within the rain.
7) Take a Cooking Class
When in Italy, a cooking class can’t probably go mistaken and there’s no higher solution to spend a wet day in Lake Como than creating mouthwatering Italian meals. There are numerous completely different cooking lessons to select from however relaxation assured that you’ll undoubtedly study to make pasta, pizza, and even local specialties like Pizzoccheri, good in the event you eat gluten free!
The simplicity of the components in Italian delicacies is mindblowing so when you won’t have a wooden oven at house to duplicate a real Italian pizza, you’ll absolutely be capable to make pasta dishes if you get again house.
We are able to’t consider any higher exercise to overlook a couple of wet, grey day when travelling than taking an area cooking class. Take a look at a choice of cooking lessons beneath – you may even discover ways to make pleasant Tiramisu for dessert!
8) Go Wine Tasting
Lake Como’s surrounding hills are dotted with vineyards and you’re at all times welcome to go to the native wineries to strive a few of their finest choices. Happening a wine tasting tour round Lake Como is beautiful even on a wet day.
The wineries will take you on a tour of the property and the wine cellars so you may study extra concerning the manufacturing of the wines, and the historical past of the wineries in addition to the grapes they develop.
Relying on the wine tour you select, you may anticipate to go to 1-3 wineries the place you’ll pattern just a few of the wines at every vineyard. Some excursions embody meals or cheese, olives, or different mild snacks to get pleasure from with the wines. Relying on how a lot it rains, you may get muddy in your toes strolling within the vineyards, so be sure to choose the suitable footwear.
The vast majority of wineries are situated close to the northern tip of the lake, or south of Lecco, with a number of wineries discovered within the neighborhood of Montevecchia. Alternatively, you may head to Valtellina simply east of northern Lake Como, the place the winemaking custom dates again 2000 years.
Listed below are some wine-tasting excursions close to Lake Como, good for a wet day!
9) Go Buying
Each Bellagio and Como are glorious purchasing locations. With a wealth of particular person shops promoting something from handmade leather-based items and antiques to conventional silk from the area, native cheeses, and wines, there are such a lot of choices for distinctive purchasing that you’re certain to seek out one thing you’ll love.
Stroll via the historic heart of Bellagio and you’ll come throughout nice retailers on streets like Through Giuseppe Garibaldi, Salita Antonio Mella, and alongside the waterfront. However you additionally discover some retailers strolling up the well-known Salita Serbelloni.
In Como, you will see that the primary purchasing space within the heart. There are some good pedestrian purchasing streets to not miss like Through Vittorio Emanuele II, Through Cinque Giornate, and Through Giuseppe Garibaldi. If the rain is just too heavy to get pleasure from strolling between retailers, you may head proper outdoors city to Centro Commerciale Grandate, a shopping mall with loads of retailers and eating places.
You may additionally get pleasure from Foxtown, a big outlet within the Swiss city of Mendrisio, solely a 25-minute drive from Como, the place you may store for luxurious gadgets at a reduced worth.
10) Have a Michelin-Starred Meal
In case you are a foodie and revel in wonderful eating you may be delighted to know that Lake Como is house to 2 Michelin-starred eating places, with two extra situated only a fast drive away.
Materia in Cernobbio has obtained a Michelin star for its artistic, authentic, and revolutionary cooking. The chef, Davide Caranchini, makes use of fashionable cooking strategies he realized when working in northern Europe with native meals discovered round Lake Como, and dishes are primarily based on contemporary greens, herbs, and spices.
Kitchen in Como additionally holds one Michelin star. The high-end restaurant is situated amidst a lush, non-public park giving it an intimate ambiance. Kitchen’s chef, Andrea, creates glorious Italian meals with a contemporary twist which you’ll expertise via the 2 tasting menus, Expertise and Inexperienced.
Each eating places supply multi-course menus and meals is paired with the most effective wines. Recent greens are grown of their non-public greenhouses guaranteeing contemporary produce in each dish.
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