Churchill holidayed, George bought, and Brad married – today Como is probably the most famous stretch of freshwater in Europe, possibly the world. With a magical setting on the southern flank of the Alps, Como offers event backdrops like few other locations.
Across the Alps there are numerous lakes, providing wonderful incentive event settings, yet few places offer the grand villas of Como - event venues that are both unique and jaw-droppingly stylish. In Como, the filmsets are made of stone, oozing historic beauty, and with truly unforgettable settings.
Before the paparazzi arrived, Como enjoyed global fame as the birthplace of the battery, courtesy of Como physicist, Alessandro Volta. Como silk is prized, and the town is awash with boutiques and ateliers, whilst wonderful restaurants serve magical Lombardy cuisine.
Seaplanes buzz the skies offering views of the lake, mountains and villas, the nearby funicular accesses wonderful vantage points, and boats ply the serene waters, whilst there are further event activities in the mountains and northern section of the lake.
Lake Como is dominated by the ‘city’ of Como on the southern tip of the lake. The city is both small by international comparisons and large by regional significance. With a population of 85,000, Como is by far the region's dominant commercial, cultural, and administrative destination.
Central Como is a historic quarter of the city, with intimate squares and walkways around the Gothic Cathedral. Boutique shops and ateliers reflect the role that silk played in the city’s development, as well as the wider artisan influence of Milan. When shopping is done, visitors can enjoy the delights of a Lombardy menu at one of the central restaurants.
At the city's northern edge, just minutes from the Cathedral is the Como waterfront, complete with Como marina and promenade. Boats leave this area for other parts of the lake, offering the chance to view the private villas which are the iconic face of Lake Como.
The larger hotels of Lake Como are all located in and around Como centre and there are several offering meeting and conference facilities. Outside of the central area of Como, the city extends up the shores of the lake, whilst a funicular rises above the city to the town of Brunate. The only other destination of any size is Lecco, located on the eastern arm of the lake.
Lake Como is a celebrated body of water. Boats and yachts offer the chance to explore the lake. Another way to see the lake is via 2 wheels. Mountain and e-bikes provide a great way to explore the lake, especially in the north of the lake.
Scenic flights are a superb way to capture the scale and geography of Lake Como. Seaplanes depart from the shore of Como. For those who want a more sedate view of Como, a funicular reaches a local peak for vantage points over the region.
There is culture and history on offer in central Como. The city features many historic landmarks and walking tours are a great way to discover the area. Shopping is another possibility in central Como.
Surrounded by mountains, Como has some fantastic mountain activities including canyoning. The raging rivers that feed Lake Como are also one of its most thrilling playgrounds.
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It will surprise few, that Como offers a truly divine dining experience. Como is a wealthy city that has welcomed guests from Switzerland and Milan for many years. It offers some wonderful dining options in superb locations and remarkable venues.
The Lombardy menu is full of northern Italian influences with cheeses, stuffed pasta, meat, fish dishes and naturally, risotto. Incentive event attendees can be certain of departing Como with a few extra ounces.
Besides the sumptuous dishes, the settings in and around Como make the dining experience so much more special. Restaurants are located throughout the historic, intimate centre of Como, and on waterfront terraces.
Extra special group dining venues can be arranged in historic villas – spectacular, ancient spaces full of atmosphere, with capacity for entertainment and breakouts on to the lake shore.
Como is the commercial and social capital of the region, with the city of 85K population offering a wide range of nightlife. The historic centre of Como has intimate bars and terraces amongst its pedestrianised streets.
There are waterfront bars along Como’s promenade whilst the local mountains offer venues with magical views of the lake and region.
Private villas are amongst the most memorable places to throw an incentive event party. Catering, entertainment, and drinks menus can all be customised to match the event planner’s requirements.
To combine nightlife with culture, a wine tour in the northern section of Lake Como can be a fantastic way to start an evening.