Episode 1 of 5: Lake Como – History, Beauty, and Unmissable Experiences

Welcome to the Immersion Travel Podcast with Katerina Ferrara! In this five-part series, we explore Italy’s legendary Lake Como, an alpine paradise known for glamorous villas, charming lakeside towns, breathtaking mountain views, and rich history dating back to Roman times.

In this first episode, we dive into the history of Lake Como (once called Larius by the Romans), uncover the story of Pliny the Younger’s villas in Lenno and Bellagio, and explain the lake’s unique upside-down “Y” shape and how it shaped travel, culture, and architecture through the centuries.

We explore every corner of the lake:

🌲 Northern Branch: Colico, Piona, Gera Lario, Domaso, Gravedona ed Uniti, Dongo, Musso, Cremia, Pianello del Lario, San Siro (Rezzonico)
⛰ Eastern Branch: Lecco, Malgrate, Valmadrera, Abbadia Lariana, Mandello del Lario, Lierna, Fiumelatte, Varenna, Perledo, Esino Lario
🌅 Western Branch: Como, Cernobbio, Moltrasio, Carate Urio, Laglio, Brienno, Argegno, Colonno, Sala Comacina, Tremezzina (Tremezzo), Griante, Menaggio, Bellagio

Learn about the top things to see and do, like visiting Villa del Balbianello in Lenno, Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo, ferry-hopping between Varenna, Bellagio, and Menaggio, hiking the Greenway del Lago and Sentiero del Viandante, and sampling Lake Como’s regional dishes and wines.

We also offer tips on how to arrive by train, car, or bus from Milan, and how to make the most of your stay depending on your interests, history, nature, food, or relaxation.

🎙️ There’s a companion blog post available at
👉 https://katerinaferrara.com/blog/
with additional resources to help you plan the perfect Lake Como getaway.

Subscribe now, and join us as we uncover one of Italy’s most iconic destinations, one village at a time.