I am still in an Italian daze from our trip to Italy a few years ago. In July 2017, Jason and I got married in Tuscany so we flew into Milan a week before for some much needed R&R before the big weekend. More on this in another post, but planning a wedding in another country can be stressful but also simpler. You don’t feel the need to visit 20 locations, meet 10 planners or have all the choices and decisions at your disposal. However, the thing we were worried about was lugging our bags around and being jet lagged. At least that was our excuse to visit Lake Como for a few days prior to the big day! And oh was it so worth it, and such a magical place!

WHERE TO STAY:

VILLA D’ESTE is a gorgeous 5 star hotel with breathtaking lake views. The rooms are stunning and the restaurant is out of this world. It is on the pricer side, but so worth it if you are going for a special occasion.
AIRBNB is also a great option if you are going for a few days and want your own space. I recommend staying in Lake Como for at least 3-4 days. Make note to pack lightly as there are a lot of houses on the hillside and may not have parking near the house..

WHAT TO DO:

BOATING around Lake Como is a MUST. You can take a ferry or public tours but I recommend renting a speed boat for 1-2 hours and go at your own pace. They give you a map of places to check out (ie. George Clooney’s house and famous villas around the lake).
WALKING around the different cities is magical. Every corner has its charms.