Visit Lake Como Italy Photograph of Valle Verzasca at Lago Maggiore Ticino Switzerland

Visit Lake Como Italy Photograph of Valle Verzasca at Lago Maggiore Ticino Switzerland. The Verzasca River forms the artificial Lago di Vogorno near the entrance of the valley, formed by the Verzasca Dam before joining the Ticino River in the Magadino plain. The Verzasca Dam is also well known for its 220 m height jump, which is one of the highest jumps in the world and also the most famous bungy jump, as it was used in the James Bond film Golden Eye.

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Visit Lake Como Italy Photograph of the Panoramic View of Monte Generoso a short drive from Como to Mendrisio Capolago Switzerland

Visit Lake Como Italy Photograph of the Panoramic View of Monte Generoso. The sweeping view from the peak of the 1,704 m high Monte Generoso is unique: one's gaze ranges from the Apennines to the Alps, across valleys, lakes, towns and mountain peaks. The flora on the mountain is also unique, for Ice Age species have survived here that no longer exist elsewhere. The prehistoric cave bear on the other hand, did not survive - however, archeological finds can be marvelled at in the Bear Cave. A cogwheel train takes visitors in comfort from Capolago up to Monte Generoso, to the astronomical observatory and to numerous hiking trails and educational paths. Muggio Valley lies to the south of the mountain. The Parco delle Gole della Breggia, a nature reserve, makes up part of the pristine landscape of the valley.

Visit Lake Como Italy Photograph of the Panoramic View of Lago di Lugano from Monte Generoso

Visit Lake Como Italy Photograph of the Panoramic View of Lago di Lugano from Monte Generoso. Monte Generoso is the mountain in the Canton of Ticino with the best view. The top can be reached by means of a convenient little cogwheel railway, which departs from Capolago, Mendrisio on Lake Lugano, at 274m above sea level. The 1704m summit is reached after travelling for 40 minutes through an unspoiled landscape. From the top an enchanting panorama can be enjoyed that takes in all of the lakes in the region (Lugano, Como, Varese and Maggiore), also the city of Lugano, the Po Valley region with Milan and from the Apennines right over to the Alpine chain, from Gran Paradiso to Monte Rosa, from the Matterhorn to the Jungfrau and the Gotthard massif to the Bernina group of mountains. Timetable 2012 Every day from the 17th March to the 4th November 2012 Ascent Treno nº 11 13 15* 17 19 21 23 25(2) 27(1) Capolago Lake 11.15 Capolago FFS 09.20 10.35 11.35 12.35 13.35 14.35 15.35 16.35 19.15 San Nicolao 10.46 11.46 12.46 13.46 14.46 15.46 16.46 Bellavista 11.00 12.00 13.00 14.00 15.00 16.00 17.00 Vetta 09.55 11.11 12.11 13.11 14.11 15.11 16.11 17.11 19.51 Descent Treno nº 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26(2) 28(1) Vetta 10.15 11.45 12.45 13.45 14.45 15.45 16.45 17.45 23.15 Bellavista 11.57 12.57 13.57 14.57 15.57 16.57 17.57 San Nicolao 12.15 13.15 14.15 15.15 16.15 17.15 18.15 Capolago FFS 10.57 12.27 13.27 14.27 15.27 16.27 17.27 18.27 23.57 Capolago Lake 11.00(3) 1 Operates every Friday and Saturday, with reservation (Saturday: departure from Vetta in case of bad weather at 22.45) / On the 16.6., 23.6., 30.6. and 7.7. the departure is at 23.40 in case of nice weather 2 From 12th May to 16th September 3 In case of heavy afflux the train stops at Capolago station * In case of bad weather operate only the trains n° 15 and 20

Visit Lake Como Italy Photograph of the Como Football Stadium

Visit Lake Como Italy Photograph of the Como Football Stadium. The stadium is located right by the waterfront near the centre of the town and railway station. In Como tickets can be bought from Como Point (Toys Center, via Cecilio 3). You can buy tickets for the away sector and for the posher seats at the club headquarters at Via Sinigaglia 2. Como must be one of the nicest places to see a football game. Scenically located at the southern end of Lake Como, it is a lively and pleasant town with an appealing historical centre. Reached easily from Milan, Lake Como is a long standing holiday destination with a number of pretty resorts along its shores, all of which can be reached by the steamers and boats that run its length.

Visit Lake Como photograph of Chiesa di Sant’Andrea –St. Andrew Church

Visit Lake Como photograph of Chiesa di Sant’Andrea –St. Andrew Church. The current building is due to sustained actions' in the XIX century. Inside there are some frescoes by A. de Passeri of the XIV century and seventeenth centuryby G.P. Recchi. Chiesa Sant' Andrea Apostolo Via Scalini, 2, Brunate Como, Italy +39 031 220216. ‎
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Visit Lake Como Italy Photograph of the Lighthouse Alessandro Volta in Brunate Como

Visit Lake Como Italy Photograph of the Lighthouse Alessandro Volta in Brunate Como. The Volta Lighthouse is located on top of a small hill and is the best place if you want to enjoy a good view. The building is quite high and offers great views of the lake below. The lighthouse can be reached through a funicular ride and then the remaining distance can be covered by foot.

Visit lake Como Italy Photograph of Grand Hotel Imperiale in Motrasio Lake Como

Visit lake Como Italy Photograph of Grand Hotel Imperiale in Motrasio Lake Como. Set in Moltrasio on the shores of Lake Como, Grand Hotel Imperiale is an Art Nouveau villa dating back to the 1920s. It features a summer outdoor pool, elegant restaurant and a wellness centre.
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Visit lake Como Italy Photograph of the Grand Hotel in Tremezzo on the west shore of Lario

Visit lake Como Italy Photograph of the Grand Hotel in Tremezzo on the west shore of Lario. Grand Hotel Tremezzo is one of the oldest and loveliest luxury hotels on Lake Como, an authentic Art Nouveau palace that offers a warm inviting welcome and the delights of a true 5-star vacation. From its unique lakeside position it offers unparalleled views of Bellagio and the stunning Grigne mountains. The hotel's origins date back to the early 1900's, the era of romantic grand tours, long voyages and illustrious travellers. Lake Como was already an obligatory stopover on the international tourist circuit and a favourite destination with the elite: rich and cultured foreign visitors from England, Germany, France and Austria, as well as Belgium and Switzerland, and even from Tsarist Russia. Enea Gandola was a gentleman from Bellagio who had travelled widely in Europe with his wife Maria Orsolini. After their return to Italy they wanted to create something of class and sophistication on one of the world's most beautiful lakes, a grand hotel that could satisfy the demands of this new type of tourist. The Gandolas chose this extraordinary location, bordering on the gardens of Villa Carlotta, which alone commands the best view on Lake Como. The Grand Hotel Tremezzo opened on 10 July 1910 with a party in its honour and great public celebrations.

Visit lake Como Italy Photograph of Chiesa Di San Giacomo in Bellagio

Visit lake Como Italy Photograph of Chiesa Di San Giacomo in Bellagio. San Giacomo Church, built between 1075 and 1125, is at the top of the historic center. The church is Lombard Romanesque style and has mosaics, a 12th century cross, and a 15th century triptych.From the original building the following structures have been preserved: on the outside, the three chapels decorated by double archivolt archlets and, on the inside, which has a layout with three aisles, the four columns and the Symbols of the Evangelists in the hallway. The bell tower has been further raised and changed during the seventeenth century and was initially a defence tower of the city walls in the most northern part. On the inside one can find works of art of different historic periods: two Fifteenth Century tables of the Scuola Umbra and of the Scuola Lombarda respectively and several Romanic sculptures, numerous paintings of the late Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries (amongst which the “Deposition of Jesus in the Sepulchre” attributed to Perugino and a “Madonna delle Grazie” of the XVI Century attributed to Foppa). Other sacred furniture of considerable importance are the main altar in carved wood and gilded, dating back to the Eighteenth Century, a Romanic crucifix of the XII Century and a Christ laid in the sepulchre dating to the Seventeenth Century. The latter is carried during every Good Friday Procession.

Visit lake Como Italy Photograph of Bellagio the Pearl of Lario

Visit lake Como Italy Photograph of Bellagio the Pearl of Lario. While the best thing to do in Bellagio may be to relax and enjoy the lakeside ambiance, there are several interesting sights in and near the village. Villa Melzi, built in 1808, has a park with sculptures and garden known for its beautiful azaleas and rhododendrons. It's open from the end of March through beginning of November and admission includes the museum and neo-classical chapel. San Giacomo Church, built between 1075 and 1125, is at the top of the historic center. The church is Lombard Romanesque style and has mosaics, a 12th century cross, and a 15th century triptych. Villa Serbelloni Park, above the historic center, has an 18th century garden and great views of the lake. It's open April through November 2. A combination ticket includes admission to the Museum of Navigational Instruments. Museum of Navigational Instruments, in the hamlet of San Giovanni, can be reached on foot in about 25 minutes, public boat, or in summer on the tourist train. It's open daily, mornings only. Walking paths go along the lake and over the hills to small hamlets and picturesque parts of the lake. Boat tours, water sports, and a touristic train tour are available during the summer season. During summer there are many musical events and festivals.

Visit Lake Como Italy Video of Madesimo in the Italian Alps

Visit Lake Como Italy Video of Madesimo in the Italian Alps. 360 degree view from Madesimo in the Italian Alps, just 1 hour north of Lake Como. The video shows La Nostra Signora Dell'Europa on Mt. Motta in madesimo valchiavenna Italy.

Visit lake Como Photograph of the Ski Resort of Madesimo in Valchiavenna Italy

Visit lake Como Photograph of the Ski Resort of Madesimo in Valchiavenna Italy.

Antonio Carluccio's Simple Cooking

Antonio Carluccio began his culinary career over fifty years ago while a student in Vienna. When cooking for himself and his friends on a low budget, he learned the benefits of a basic larder - well stocked with the essentials needed for his favourite Italian dishes - and the importance of buying fresh foods wisely, cheaply and often. His skills were developed from a solid foundation: the years he had spent absorbing lessons from his mother while growing up in Italy. Antonio Carluccio's Simple Cooking is a coming together of all the 'secrets' that Antonio has learned over those fifty years. He is on a mission to instil in his readers the simple pleasure of cooking good fresh food, and to inspire novice cooks with confidence and a repertoire of reliable dishes for all occasions. The recipes included in the book are all very easy to cook, perfect for those with little experience or who are short of time. Throughout, Antonio has also included clever suggestions for how to 'upgrade' a basic recipe and there are also ingenious ideas for using up leftovers. These are Antonio's favourite recipes, illustrated with fabulous photography from Alistair Hendy, including several step-by-step sequences. Antonio Carluccio's Simple Cooking is a distillation of a lifetime of passion, full of Antonio's firm belief that cooking, whether for oneself or for family and friends, is one of the most loving of human skills. Antonio Carluccio's Simple Cooking.

Visit La chiesa di San Giovanni on Isola Comacina on your trip to Lake Como Italy

Visit La chiesa di San Giovanni on Isola Comacina on your trip to Lake Como Italy.

Visit lake como Italy and stay in a lakeside Villa with front seats to the Sagra Di San Giovanni. Every year in June the Sagra Di san Giovanni ( festival of St. John ) takes place to commemorate the destruction of the island by the Comaschi, in 1169, as a punishment for its alliance with Milan, during the ten-year war (1118-1127). You really need to take your time to see this most spectacular Fireworks which is usually held on the last weekend in June around 10.30 pm and lasts about 45 minutes. Access is best via the boat as there is a quick getaway and the roads are all closed until 2 hours after the firework.

Visit the 300 years old Rogolone Oak tree in the woodlands of Grandola Ed Uniti, Lake Como, Italy.

Visit the 300 years old Rogolone Oak tree in the woodlands of Grandola Ed Uniti, Lake Como, Italy. An interesting walk, not only because of its natural, but also for its historical aspects. In fact it leads through the historical center of Menaggio, through the village Loveno with its splendid villas, and then into the Val Menaggio. It is an easy walk through the country with lovely views of the Menaggio valley. In the middle of a clearing in the woods stands Il Rogolone an enormous oak tree measuring 25 m in height and 8 m in width. On the way back you pass through the small rural settlement of Velzo.

Be impressed by the size and hights of the Rogolone, the biggest oak tree in Northern Italy.

Old photograph of Il Rogolone at Lake Como Italy.
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Visit La Nostra Signora Dell'Europa on Mt. Motta in Madesimo Valchiavenna Italy

Visit La Nostra Signora Dell'Europa on Mt. Motta in Madesimo Valchiavenna Italy. Translated the Our Madonna of Europe is approx 13-15metres in height and is totally covered in Gold Leaf, making it really stand out and can be seen from far away. Well worth a visit during your next ski holiday.

Visit Designers like Louis Vutton who make the City of Milan the Fashion Capital of Italy

Visit Designers like Louis Vutton who make the City of Milan the Fashion Capital of Italy. The Italian city of Milan is recognised internationally as one of the world's most important fashion capitals, along with Paris, New York City, London and Tokyo. It is additionally recognised as the main fashion city in the country, with Rome and Florence being other major centres. Milan has a long history within the fashion, clothing and textile industries and has been home to numerous fashion designers, including Giorgio Armani, Valentino Garavani, Gianni Versace, Gianfranco Ferrè, Miuccia Prada, Krizia, Moschino, Etro, Trussardi, Missoni, and Dolce & Gabbana. Milan Fashion Week is held twice in Milan, Italy spring / summer event held in February - March of each year and autumn / winter event held in September - October of each year.