I went to Lake Como, Italy in June, imagining it as a small and sleepy luxury resort town. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Como is everything but small and offers the best of Italy’s beauty, culture, history and much more. The lake is located in northern Italy’s Lombardy region, about fifty-two miles north of Milan, close to the Swiss border. At fifty-six square miles, the lake is shaped like an inverted letter “Y”, surrounded by dozens of ancient villages along its shores. Each quaint village has its own rich history, distinct characteristics and offers unique sites to visit.

Como appeals to all types of travelers, history and architecture buffs who want to see Roman, middle-ages and renaissance buildings, as well as majestic gothic cathedrals and churches, or hike in the mountains surrounding the lake, and visit world-class museums. It also appeals to foodies who want to try local cuisines and the best Michelin 3-Star restaurants in the world.