Author Archives: comocompanion

About comocompanion

I am an Englishman in Como, Northern Italy - definitely both a Euro and Italophile with an interest in modern history, walks in the hills and mountains, and food and wine. I favour 'slow' tourism alongside of 'slow' food.

Fables, Legends and Folkore: A Walk to the Devil of Blevio and other Erratics

The area around Blevio and Torno is particularly rich in glacial erratics and three of the larger and better known examples can be visited on or nearby the mountain path from Brunate to Monte Piatto, above Blevio and Torno. Continue reading

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Lake Como’s Condottiere – The Marquis of Musso

Gian Giacomo De Medici, 1495 to 1555, developed from paid assassin in the court of the Milanese Sforzas to become ruler of Lake Como entitled Marquis of Musso and Count of Lecco, and one of the most successful condottieri in the 16th century. Continue reading

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Como’s Manifesto for Wellbeing

No doubt a short break in Como will do wonders for your wellbeing, but the major outcome of the recent World Happiness Summit held over three days in the Teatro Sociale might just result in a more long lasting effect  – with global impact. The World Happiness Summit (WOHASU for short) staged its fifth year anniversary event outside of Miami for the first time. Running from Friday March 24th it filled the auditorium and galleries of the Teatro Sociale for three days. Continue reading

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Como’s Famous Women: The wartime exploits of Ginevra Bedetti Masciadri

This article on Ginevra Bedetti Masciadri in part commemorates International Women’s Day (March 8th), but also is intended to throw light on someone who needs to be counted within the pantheon of Como’s famous women. Continue reading

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Lake Como’s Wild Pack of Wolves

Where are our wolves? We have at least one well-established wolf-pack. There may also be a previously unrecorded pack inhabiting the Valsolda. There have been some occasional sightings of lone wolves elsewhere. Continue reading

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Love, War and Death on Lake Como – The Tragic End of Gina Ruberti

It is most unlikely that current guests at Blevio’s Mandarin Oriental are reminded of the tragedy that took place on the night of 3rd May 1946 when a famous resident of the Villa Roccabruna drowned in the lake while attempting to cross back home from Moltrasio. That person was Gina Ruberti, better known as Gina Mussolini – the dictator’s daughter-in-law.  Continue reading

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Overnight on the Via dei Monti Lariani

The Via dei Monti Lariani follows the border with Switzerland running along the crest of the mountains above the western shores of the lake. This walk is one stage along the 124km route with a one night stopover at the Rifugio Venini. Continue reading

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The Queen of England’s Como Court

For a brief period a royal wife and future Queen of Britain held court in Cernobbio – the tragic tale of Queen Caroline of Brunswick and the luxury hotel, Villa D’Este Continue reading

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Maslianico’s Smuggler Paths

The Sentieri del contrabbando are three paths on the hillside of Monte Bisbino above Maslianico. Taking a walk on these paths invokes images of the area’s tragic past and of the many dramatic clandestine crossings through its high barbed wire border barrier. Continue reading

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The Road to Rome (via Como)

The recent publishing of ‘La Via Francigena Renana’ marks the rediscovery and promotion of a long distance trail first recorded in Roman times that ran from the mouth of the Rhine in Rotterdam, over the Alps at Splugen, to the Po where it linked up with other trails to Rome. It offers a detailed guide to the sections passing by Como. Continue reading

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