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Recent Posts
- Carlo Carloni: From Baroque to Rococo in Como September 29, 2026
- Lake Como: Problems in Paradise July 14, 2026
- Como, April 25th 1945: Mussolini’s Fight or Flight Moment April 22, 2026
- Como: Looking for Culinary Authenticity April 7, 2026
- Escaping the Holocaust- Via Switzerland? January 30, 2026
Author Archives: comocompanion
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
Posted in History, People, Politics, Uncategorized
Tagged Casa Bianca, Como, Ginevra Bedetti Masciadri, History, Maslianico, partisans, Rosemberg, staffetta, Villa Gallia, Villa Rosasco
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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
Posted in Lake, wildlife
Tagged alps, Alto Lario, Berlinghera, Como, Gera Lario, Montevecchia, nature, Tradate, Val Colla, Valsolda, Vercana, wolves
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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
Posted in History, Lake, People
Tagged blevio, Bruno Mussolini, Como, Gina Ruberti, History, Lake Como, Mandarin Oriental, Mussolini, Villa Roccabruna
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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
Posted in Itineraries, Places of interest, Uncategorized, Walks
Tagged Argegno, Bellagio, Como, Hiking, Lake Como, Monte Crocione, Rifugio, tourism, Venini, Via dei Monti Lariani, Walks
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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
Posted in Uncategorized, Walks
Tagged Bisbino, contraband, Madonna di Rongiana, Maslianico, Senterun, Smuggling, Ul Riz, Ul Terz, Walks
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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
Posted in Culture, History, Itineraries, Places of interest, Uncategorized, Walks
Tagged alpine crossings, Ambra Garancini, Camminacittà, Cammino di San Pietro, Chiavenna, Chur, Coira, edicicloeditore, iubilantes, San Giovanni Pedemonte, Splugen, Thusis, trails, Via Francigena, Via Francigena Renana, Via Francisca, Via Mala, Via Regina, via spluga
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Water Taxis and Lake Como’s Vaporina
A ride in a water taxi on Lake Como, either taken out of necessity or convenience, is a pleasure in itself. Water taxis go far beyond their evident practicality by offering comfort and inimitable style. The style of these boats has long been dominated by Venetian design, Lake Como is in the process of re-establishing its own brand of boat – the Vaporina designed specifically for our waters. Continue reading
Posted in Architecture, History, industry, Lake, Places of interest
Tagged Boat design, Cantiere, Como, Daniele Riva, Elettra, Ernesta Riva, Il Sereno, Laglio, Lake Como, Mani Frers, Patricia Urquiola, Torno, Vaporina, water taxis
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Como Destroys Neighbouring Torno (500 Years Ago)
June 11th will mark the 500th anniversary of the sacking and almost total destruction of Torno by a Spanish led army consisting of mercenaries and residents of Como. That event stands alongside the destruction of Isola Comacina in 1169 by Federico Barbarossa’s Como army as one of the more brutal acts of aggression meted out by near neighbours on our leg of the lake. Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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