Varenna

"Originally a traditional fishing village, Varenna is a humble, quiet, little town that is far less touristy than some of the other towns on the lake. It’s famous for its brightly colored houses and villas, as well as its peaceful atmosphere. We’ll be honest, there isn’t a whole lot to do in Varenna, but that’s part of its charm! We suggest walking through its streets and admire the beauty, walk along the lakeside boardwalk, lounge by and swim in the lake, or hike up to Castello di Vezio, an 11th-century castle. The hike up is beautiful and offers views across the expansive lake to Bellagio. You can't miss visiting the beautiful Villa Monastero. It has a small entrance fee, but it's so worth it! The easiest and most popular way to get there is by train and/or ferry. You can take a train to Varenna-Esino station, which is just over an hour away. Ferries stop at Varenna regularly and it's a very affordable and pretty way to travel on Lake Como. "

"Another road trip from Como, is another charming village. Just an hour away, Varenna is a picturesque town, with colourful buildings, walks through nature & amazing views of the lake from different parts of the town.  Visit the botanical gardens at Hotel Villa Cipressi, making your way through a path of remarkable flowers and reaching all the way to the bottom where you can enjoy views of the lake and mountains in the backdrop. Do not miss getting a delicious gelato from Riva Gelateria, where you can find vegan flavours as well."

"Varenna is a picturesque and traditional village, located on the eastern shore of Lake Como, Italy. It is an essential stop for anyone wishing to visit one of the most typical and peaceful towns of the lake. This small village, where you can still breathe in the traditions of yesteryear (above all, fishing), is home to elegant villas with botanical gardens (such as Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi) and beautiful walks between history and nature (Castle of Vezio and Sentiero del Viandante)."