Tag Archives: Lake Como

Lake Como’s Condottiere – The Marquis of Musso

Posted on April 28, 2023 by comocompanion

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 →

Posted in History, Lake, People, Places of interest | Tagged Condottieri, Dongo, Francesco Sforza, Giardino del Merlo, Giovanni Il Matto, Grisons, History, Il Medeghino, Lake Como, Late Lombardy Renaissance, Melegnano, Musso, Naval battles, Quinquereme, Tre Pievi | 1 Comment

Como’s Manifesto for Wellbeing

Posted on April 10, 2023 by comocompanion

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 →

Posted in Culture, Events, People, Politics, Sustainability, Uncategorized | Tagged Alberto Nobis, Como, Conferences, Culture, DHL Express, Happiness, Lake Como, Planet Index, Richard Layard, Teatro Sociale, tourism, Wellbeing, WOHASU, World HAppiness | Leave a comment

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

Posted on January 26, 2023 by comocompanion

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 | Leave a comment

Overnight on the Via dei Monti Lariani

Posted on December 1, 2022 by comocompanion

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 | Leave a comment

The Queen of England’s Como Court

Posted on October 6, 2022 by comocompanion

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 →

Posted in Culture, Gardens, History, Lake, People | Tagged Baron Pergami, Bartolomeo Pergami, cernobbio, Como, General Pino, George IV, Lake Como, Napoleon, Prince Regent, Princess Caroline, Princess Charlotte, Sir Thomas Lawrence, Teatro Sociale, villa d'este, Villa Sucota | 2 Comments

Water Taxis and Lake Como’s Vaporina

Posted on June 22, 2022 by comocompanion

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 | 5 Comments

Lake Como Boatyards: Luxury Boats

Posted on January 13, 2022 by comocompanion

Lake Como’s boatyards have been building luxury boats for the last 200 years and will continue to do so for years to come. Even if we are never likely to own one, we can all experience the joy of a journey in a vintage Venetian-style water taxi. Continue reading →

Posted in industry, Lake, Transport | Tagged Abbate, Cantiere, Colombo, Cranchi, Gondola, Inglesina, Lake Como, Riva, Taroni, tourism, water taxi | Leave a comment

Walking Lake Como’s Wayfarer Way

Posted on September 9, 2021 by comocompanion

The Via del Viandante (Wayfarer’s Way) is a long distance trail that runs up the eastern leg of Lake Como from Abbadia Lariana to Colico. I undertook a 3 day excursion along its length and was dazzled by the variety and beauty of the area. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Itineraries, Lake, Places of interest, Uncategorized, Walks | Tagged Abbadia, agriturismo, Bellano, Bologna, Corenno, Dervio, excursions, Lake Como, Le Grigne, lecco, Mandello, Somana, trekking, viandante, Walks | 2 Comments

Como’s Changing Lakefront

Posted on August 5, 2021 by comocompanion

Como is justifiably famous for the beauty of its natural surroundings and of its ancient walled city, for the inventiveness and quality of its silk production and for the creativity and skills of its artists and artisans throughout the centuries. The list of positives does not end there but it also ranks as the city with the longest, worst managed and corrupted civil engineering project throughout Northern Italy – but an end to the flood defence project is finally in sight. Continue reading →

Posted in crime, Lake, People, Politics | Tagged Amici di Como, ANAC, Como, flood defences, floods, Lake Como, lakefront, Mario Lucini, paratie, Pietro Gilardoni, Roberto Maroni, SACAIM | Leave a comment

‘James Bond’ drops into Lake Como

Posted on June 8, 2021 by comocompanion

A real ‘James Bond’ secret agent drops into Lake Como, is immediately arrested but eventually acts as the facilitator of the Italian Armistice in September 1943 – a story truly stranger than fiction Continue reading →