An elegant and comfortable family villa with a large garden, pool and view of Lake Como

Accommodation

Though the gated entrance drive into the fenced property has access to the ground floor, following the natural rise of the garden around the house one arrives at a furnished glass extension that is an excellent venue for family meals. A door in the glasshouse leads directly into a large living room furnished with attractive sofas, a wood stove and doors out to a furnished terrace with lovely lake views. A short hallway leads to a very spacious newly renovated kitchen with a table for 8, a washing machine and up-to-date appliances. One flight of stairs leads down to the ground floor on which there is garden access, a twin/double bedroom and an adjacent bathroom, while another leads to sleeps accommodations on the upper floors. Midway to the first floor is a double bedroom with an elevated child's bed with cartooned figures overhead, and a few steps higher are two further bedrooms - a cosy bedroom with a French double bed and ensuite shower room and a twin bedroom, both with lake views - and a bathroom with Jacuzzi tub. One further shower room is located on the top floor. The 1000 m2 fenced garden surrounding the house has wide lawns that gently rise and fall; with a swing set, an above-ground pool large enough for cooling and splashing, and beautiful trees throughout, the garden is a child's paradise and an adult's pleasure.

Local area

Though surrounded in greenery and with the lake on the horizon, Serra is not isolated; in fact, it is in walking distance to lakefront villages that provide shops and restaurants as well as ancient fortresses. A short drive away is Menaggio with a beautifully positioned golf course and a dock whose ferry connects to the charming village of Varenna or Bellagio, the "pearl of the lake", often described as the prettiest village in Europe. From here it is easy to visit Villa Melzi with its ornamental gardens, or sail over to Comacina Island - the only island on the lake. With Serra on the same side of the lake as Como, it doesn't take long to reach its fashionable historical centre, perhaps to visit the fascinating Silk Museum, which honours the city's centuries-old livelihood, or take a funicular ride to Brunate - a hill-top town with magnificent views over the city, the lake and its surrounding mountains. For those in the group more interested in a bargain at ground level, stylish outlet shopping is just over the Swiss border. With the days easily filled, it will be a pleasure to return to the peaceful green of the garden and review it all with leisure.

Features

Things to note

This property requires a security deposit of Euro 800 on arrival. Please ensure you have the necessary cash to leave with the caretaker.
As in all Italian Regions tourist tax is applied to the overnight stays of non-residents in the Municipality. The rates of the tax, being determined by cities governments are also subjects to change. The taxable number of nights varies from place to place as well as the exemptions. (Generally the amount is from 0,50 to 1,50 Euros per night, maximum 5/6 nights, minors up to 14 yrs. free). According to Italian laws the tourist tax should be paid directly by customers to the operator of the facility and cannot be prepaid by a tour operator.