Sleeps 12
5 double bedrooms, 2 of which with adjoining single bedrooms, 1 twin bedroom, 1 ensuite bathroom, 5 shower rooms, 4 of which ensuite + 1 shower room suitable for disabled guests.
Location: Lake Como
Weekly from Saturday
Restaurants and shops in walking distance, 600 mt.Public sand beach 2 meters
Golf course, tennis courts and ferry crossing in Menaggio, 10 km
Ferry from Menaggio to Bellagio & Varenna 15 min
Villa Carlotta at Tremezzo, 20 min. by car
FoxTown designer outlets in Switzerland 40 km
Como and Lugano 1 hr, Milan city center 1 1/2 hrs.
Malpensa airport (Milan) 1 1/2 hrs, Bergamo airport 2 hrs.
A large and elegant Villa decorated with beautiful old black and white photographs of the sailing and racing scene around Lake Como in the 50s, 60s and 70s. The Villa is set right on the lake shore, with gated access to the lakeshore path.A heated pool is close to the house, with a weather cover that can be slid back in the summer but also allows for swimming when the mountain weather isn't perfect. The interiors are large and spacious with a feeling of old-world elegance.
When people speak of living by the water rarely are they quite this close. For at Vecchio Marinaio, situated on the northwestern shore of Lake Como, sailboats pass just beyond the hedge bordering its wide patio. With absolutely no shortage of view and French doors in every room through which to appreciate it, this rose-hued villa is an excellent venue for multigenerational family reunions or workshops that need just a bit more room. Swimmers have the choice of a public beach a few meters away or a private glass-enclosed pool that can be heated when required and the daily housekeeping provided means guests can get on to visiting the sites or participating in the water sports this location inspires.
The drive that comes down from the main road passes a Nautical Museum, which can be visited by appointment only and is a wonderful introduction to 'life on the water'. The entrance to the villa leads into a spacious entryway off of which a gleaming professional kitchen awaits either 'those whose turn it is' or even a local cook hired to bring Italian fare to the table. Said table, which is in the large dining hall at the centre of the house and seats 16 comfortably, looks out three sets of French doors to the patio and lake and mountains beyond. Arched doorways off the dining room lead on one side to a games room with a ping-pong table, and on the other to a sitting room with Sat. TV and comfortable sofas. Two sets of glass doors from the sitting room lead to a pool that is more about taking a refreshing dip than doing laps. The pool has direct access to the 45 metre-wide patio that is furnished with sun beds and an octagonal table perfect for a meal al fresco.
All bedrooms are on the upper floor and consist of five double bedrooms, each air-conditioned and having an ensuite bath- or shower room. Two of these bedrooms have adjoining single bedrooms, an ideal arrangement for parents with a child. The master double has French doors out to a covered furnished terrace whose panorama sets the tone for a wonderful day. There is also an air-conditioned twin bedroom with ensuite shower room, which is a bit smaller than the others, but may work well for the younger crowd. The decor utilizes floral fabrics, old-world brocades and a mix of antique and modern furnishings, yet the nautical photographs and mementos are an ever-present reminder of your lakeside position.
The nearest village is about 600 m. from the house, which means that fresh bread and the morning paper are all within reach. A short drive to the south 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 or sail over to Comacina Island - the only island on the lake. The monumental Villa Carlotta, whose gardens are known as a masterpiece of Nature are just south of Menaggio in Tremezzo. And with Vecchio Marinaio 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. Yet many guests are just as happy to enjoy their own watery horizon and breathe in the fresh air and beauty one hedge away.