Villa Carlotta

Another bonus of Lake Como (besides the quaint towns to explore) is that it has exceptional villas to visit, many accessible by ferry. One of these on the western shore near Tremezzo is the Villa Carlotta, a fairy-tale-like 18^th-century palace—worthy of the Prussian Princess Carlotta for whom it was named. Built by the Marquis Clerici, the villa with its surrounding formal gardens filled with rare plants and trees is outstanding. From the terrace you have an enchanting view over the lake to Bellagio. You reach the villa by a short drive from the ferry landing at Tremezzo along the beautiful tree-lined Via del Paradiso. The interior of the villa with its prominent art collection and statues is open every day from 9 am to 6 pm from April to September. It is also open in March and October from 9 am to 11:30 am in the morning and in the afternoon from 2 pm to 4:30 pm.