Bella Dorio

The Surrounding Area

 

Bellano is 10 minutes south from the apartment. Many visitors come to Bellano to see the gorge of the Pioverna stream. In the spring, melting snow swells the stream and over time, this has cut a deep narrow gorge through the rocks above the town. You are able to explore the gorge through a series of ladders and walkways.

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Varenna is an attractive village just below Bellano, looking over the central part of the lake towards Bellagio. Varenna's picturesque lanes and old fishermen's houses are unpretentiously appealing.  There are a number of attractive cafes and restaurants on the waterfront and there is nothing more enjoyable than whiling away a summers evening with a drink and a good meal whilst soaking in the view.  It is also the gateway to the lake with a car and passenger ferry to Bellagio, Menaggio and onwards to Como City.



Bellagio is a 15 minute ferry crossing from Varenna.  Called the “Pearl of the Lake”, its world class hotels and restaurants provide the perfect place to soak up the lake's famous panorama. The village is characterised by century-old buildings, stone lanes and picturesque cobbled stairways filled with shops showcasing the finest Italian wares.



Menaggio is a 30 minute ferry crossing from Varenna.  It is situated in the heart of Lake Como, on its western shore, at the beginning of a valley that connects Menaggio with lake Lugano.  The heart of the "old" town is gathered around Piazza Garibaldi close to Menaggio's harbour. Narrow cobble stoned alleys lead up to the area called castello. The castle, of which only the impressive walls remain, was destroyed in 1523.



Como City can be reached by passenger ferry from either Varenna or Bellano. There is a high speed catamaran that takes an hour (you pay an additional supplement) or the regular ferry that takes 2¾ hours if you prefer a more leisurely trip.  The ferry stops at various attractive lakeside towns that can be explored along the way.



St Moritz, an all year tourist destination synonymous throughout the world with chic, elegance and class, and nestled in the spectacular eastern Alps, is only a 45 minute drive to the north of the apartment across the Swiss border.

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Milan is approximately 90 km by road and takes about 1½ hours by car, depending on the traffic.  Alternatively, it can be reached by taking the regular commuter train service from this side of the lake, which stops at the station in Dorio. The train fare is very good value.