| Como Como is the main town that sits on the shores of Lake Como. It’s found on the southwest part of the lake. You’ll find a spectacular view of the Rhaetian Alps from any location in the town. These snow-covered peaks tower over the lake, creating a gorgeous backdrop to every photo you’ll take. They shrink down to wooded hills as they near the lake. These hills make a great place for cycling and hiking. Many wander through the area daily. Como itself is home to around 80,000 people, all of whom are quite friendly. It’s a charming town that is proud of its Roman roots. The lake itself is often described as an upside down Y. Como is at the bottom of the left-hand “leg” of the Y, while the town of Lecco is on the opposite side. At the northern end, you’ll find Colico, and the closer you get to Colico, the steeper the terrain gets. It’s a challenging ride or walk in places, but it’s well worth it! Many of the villages up closer to the alps are popular skiing destinations. You might feel like replacing your wheels with a pair of skis for a day or two. Nearby Towns While you may be tempted to spend all of your time at south end of the lake, the other towns and villages around the lake are certainly worth visiting. Tremezzo is beautiful and is home to a gorgeous botanical garden. Menaggio on the Western shore of the lake isn’t as big of a tourist destination as some of the other towns, but it’s a nice place to get away and enjoy a leisurely afternoon in one of the excellent local restaurants. Bellagio, which sits at the center of the Y of Lake Como, is the hot tourist spot of the region. It’s busy, but it’s got a lot to offer visitors. Lombardy Wine The Lombardy region of Italy is known for a number of different wines. Many vineries are dotted around the shores of Lake Garda, while other vineries can be found south of Lake Iseo. In the Lake Como area, most grapes are grown in the hills to the north. The temperature here is quite mild, but the soil is very rich. Montevecchia, a small town about nine miles south of Lecco, is located here. Curone park is a popular place to visit in Montevecchia, and it’s also the town’s wine area. You’ll be able to enjoy some of the wine made in the Lombardy area here along with fresh goat cheese. Lombardy produces two types of wine: sparkling Franciacorta and red Valtellina. The winemakers of the region continue to use many of the traditional winemaking processes that have been used in Italy for centuries. The Franciacorta wine appears similar to champagne and is known as the country’s best sparkling wine. It may not have the history that champagne does, but many love it. Valtellina wine, on the other hand, is a cherry-scented wine. It’s made from Nebbiolo grapes and has a bright crimson color to it. It smells amazing, and it has a lovely taste, especially if the bottle you pick up is classified as a Valtellina Superiore – considered the best of the best. | 
