Probably Como’s most famous lakeside town, Bellagio is undeniably picturesque. Known affectionately as ‘the pearl of Lake Como’, the town is nestled on the tip of the promontory that divides the lake into two branches below.
The oldest part of the town – the borgo – is characterised by cobbled stairways and alleyways interspersed by small piazzas, lined with shops, restaurants and cafes and always filled with colourful boxes of flowers. Head along its main street – Via Giuseppe Garibaldi – from the ferry terminal (traghetto) and in just over 10 minutes you can be at the very tip of the village (Punta Spartivento), where you can take in the breathtaking views over the lake from a picturesque grassed area. Should you be feeling peckish, there is also a lovely restaurant here.
If spirituality entices you along with meditative chants and riveting discussions with monks and nuns fascinate you, monasteries are your peaceful retreats. Housing monks and nuns, monasteries are a place to live in seclusion where the inhabitants explore faith. An array of religions has monasteries, including Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism, where the people who chose this path believe in living humbly. The Greek root meaning of the term “monastery” itself signifies living alone. Not everyone can adopt such a lifestyle, albeit experiencing it for a while can bestow peace to the soul. This is a guide to remote monasteries on earth.
