Although this is a blog about the Lake Como area, it makes sense to start at the very beginning—because this trip almost didn’t happen the way it did.

While mapping out where to go after Passover in Israel, Milan initially stood out as the obvious choice. It’s a major hub, easy to reach, and full of energy. But one quick look at the logistics changed everything: flying into Milan Malpensa Airport puts you roughly 40 minutes from central Milan… and about the same distance from Lake Como.

That’s when the real decision was made.

Milan is the kind of city that’s always worth wandering—big, vibrant, and effortlessly stylish. But Lake Como is different. It demands a bit more timing. Many places shut down during the winter months, the weather can make or break the experience, and in peak summer, the crowds can take away from its quiet charm.

That’s exactly why this trip worked.

Right at the start of the season—when the towns are just waking up, the air is still a little crisp, and the summer rush hasn’t yet arrived—Lake Como felt like the perfect escape. Not too cold, not too crowded, and just enough buzz to feel alive again. For a quick weekend getaway, it hit a sweet spot that’s surprisingly hard to find.

Lake Como is a Dream

There’s something about Italy that feels like an upgrade on reality. The gelato tastes more decadent, the pasta is just better, and even the simplest things—coffee, bread, a quiet afternoon —feel like perfection. 

And then there’s Lake Como, where that feeling sharpens into something almost surreal.

What makes it so unforgettable is the way everything comes together at once. Snow-dusted mountains behind a glassy lake, colorful villas, and centuries-old buildings cling to the shoreline. Every view feels layered, like it was composed. You don’t just look at Lake Como—you take it in like a painting.

Nothing is oversized or out of place. The towns are built for people, not for spectacle.

And then there’s the light. Soft and golden as it reflects off the lake and warms the facades.

The magic of Lake Como isn’t accidental. It’s been shaped, refined, and cared for over generations by those who understood beauty and wanted to preserve it. The result is a place that doesn’t just look like a dream—it feels like one.

It's like an inverted “Y,” surrounded by gorgeous towns, each with its own unique identity. The shape originally attracted me because of my older daughter, Yona. 

After centuries, glaciers carved the land into deep valleys throughout the Ice Age. Eventually, as the ice melted, it left behind this inverted Y-shaped lake filled with the most pristine water, with tributaries weaving down from the surrounding peaks. 

It's not just about the food- or is it?

Italian food is always good- between the pizza, pasta, even the smoked meats, and the wine. Italians just do it to perfection.  Even the bruschetta was the best. 

Breakfast is no afterthought either. Imagine a spread filled with delicate cheeses, local honeys, flaky pastries, smoked fish, and just enough chocolate to make you linger a little longer. It’s not rushed—it’s savored.

And then there’s everything Italy is known for: golden olive oil, fragrant herbs, ripe tomatoes, earthy truffles, and aged balsamic that somehow tastes better simply because you’re here. The flavors are fresher, richer, more alive.Italian food is top quality, fresh, and always what you are in the mood for. To top it all off, the desserts, especially the gelato, are just so good. 

So no, it’s not just about the food… but it might be one of the best reasons to come.

It's not just about the views- or is it? 

The hillside villas and terraced buildings around Lake Como create stunning, layered views over the water. Easy to say, we could not get enough of the views. It's just so beautiful.

There was something so different about bringing in Shabbat overlooking this iconic scene. The Shabbat Away Travel Set™ always makes it easy to make Shabbat special wherever in the world we are.

As you can probably tell from the photos, we never quite got used to the views around Lake Como. Whether it was a slow breakfast at the hotel, stepping out onto our balcony, grabbing a gelato by the water, or simply wandering from one village to the next, the scenery had a way of stopping us in our tracks every single time.

There’s something about this place that feels almost unreal—not in an over-the-top, flashy way, but in a quiet, effortless kind of beauty. The mountains, the water, the soft light—it all comes together in a way that makes you pause and wonder if it’s actually as perfect as it seems. And somehow, it is.

The Grand Tremezzo

We stayed at the Grand Tremezzo. This hotel is lakefront- meaning you are across the street from the lake, but with perfect views of it. It’s the kind of place that makes you reconsider your plans—because once you’re there, leaving feels almost unnecessary. Built in 1910, it has a true palatial, opulent feel created by chandeliers, decor, and the grandness of it all doesn’t feel outdated--it feels timeless! The lake views can be found everywhere- from the gym, to the spa, to the restaurants, to the main lobby, it is always the centerpiece.

It's not just about the small towns - or is it?

We docked our boat at a town called Torno, small, quaint, and fairytale-like is the best way to describe it. 

Nesso

We paused during a boat ride and found a postcard come to life—stone houses stacked above a turquoise inlet, tied together by a simple pedestrian bridge. It felt less like a destination and more like something you accidentally discover.

Lenno

A stop between Como and Tremezzina, this town has the best gelato I have ever had, with the most unbeatable view.

La Fabbrica Del Gelato’s reputation precedes it. When you see the line out the door, you know it’s gonna be good. We tried a multitude of flavors. They offer both sorbet and gelato, and all the flavors we tasted were delicious! The standouts were passion fruit sorbet, white chocolate, and stracciatella. 

It's not just about the boat ride- or is it?

A boat ride on Lake Como is where everything comes together—dramatic mountain peaks, charming lakeside towns, and endless natural beauty unfolding in every direction. It’s the best way to truly take in the scale and splendor of it all.

And if you’re lucky enough to visit outside of peak season, the experience feels even more special—quieter, more peaceful, and just a little more magical without the crowds.

Villa d’Este- a true stand-alone location. 

Originally built in 1568 as the private home of a cardinal, this iconic hotel truly set the tone in the region and is where all the other luxury hotels in the area draw their inspiration. The food, the gardens, the decor, and the unbeatable view make this place a must.

Growing up in Miami, it's safe to say, I am not usually impressed by pools- in Miami, all homes have pools. I've seen amazing water slides, lazy river pools, rooftop pools, and more. But a floating pool in a lake? I’ve never seen anything like it.  

The one in Tremezzo is rated among the most beautiful pools in the world, and it's easy to understand why. This pool rocks with the lake's waves, and the whole concept of it is so interesting to me. Villa d’Este did it first, but I would argue that Grand Tremezzo did it better, making it one of the top-rated pools.

It's not just about an Italian cooking class- or is it? 

Baghetto is a well-known kosher restaurant from Rome, and the brand has expanded to have restaurants in Florence, Venice, and Milan as well. Before heading to the airport in Milan, we stopped in at this amazing restaurant for an Italian cooking class of our own. We made focaccia, pasta from scratch, chopped artichokes for fried artichokes, and tomatoes for bruschetta. 

We basically cooked everything we had eaten on this trip, but this time we made it ourselves, making it very authentic. 

Everything was beyond delicious, and the pride that comes when you make it on your own is something you can only earn. We ended our class with homemade pareve tiramisu. 

Conclusion

Although we never made it to the beautiful town of Bellagio, we will save it for next time.  There are so many towns on the lake just waiting to be explored. 

Lake Como is absolutely dreamworthy but it is only a small part of Italy. I can’t wait to continue exploring everything it has to offer. 

This trip was completely unplanned, and sometimes those types of trips are even better. It all came together at the very last minute, and it couldn't have worked out better if we had planned it with extra time. 

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