OUR JOURNEY ON LAKE COMO
Lake Como has always been a symbol of beauty, history and culture, a place that has inspired writers, poets and artists from every era. Once known mainly for its excellence in industrial and craft production, such as silk and furniture, today the area has discovered a new wealth: the beauty of the landscape itself.
As Percy Shelley describes it, the Lario is a great river, exceptionally surrounded by mountains, with its three branches offering breathtaking views: the Como branch, with gentle hills; the Lecco branch, with steep mountains ideal for mountaineering; and the upper Lario, which extends to Lake Mezzola and the naturalistic oasis of Pian di Spagna, a corner of peace to be discovered.
This timeless beauty, which enchanted historical figures such as Mr and Mrs Shelley, Franz Liszt, and Mark Twain, has become the new wealth of an area that has found in art and nature its beating heart. Lake Como has always been a place of refuge and inspiration for the greats of history, from Alfred Hitchcock to George Clooney, but it is also a destination capable of fascinating anyone, regardless of their means.
Here, nature blends with culture, creating a unique atmosphere that invites you to dream, to live and to discover the beauty that history and modernity have woven into an unbreakable bond. For a more in-depth look at this extraordinary experience, we invite you to read the full article in our Magazine n.2.
And it is in this corner of paradise that Villa La Dolce is located, a pearl suspended between the sky and the water of Lake Como. Our penultimate stop at Villa La Dolce, part of the EV Icon Italy project, exceeded all expectations: the elegance of the villa, the serenity of its waters and the tranquillity of its gardens gave us two days of pure magic. Here, every corner of the villa tells a story, every view of the lake is an indelible reminder of a beauty that knows no time. The serenity of the place, together with its sophisticated and intimate atmosphere, allowed us to live an experience that goes beyond our stay: a real journey of dreams and discoveries, immersed in a landscape that combines nature, art and culture.
VILLA LA DOLCE AND LAKE COMO
Villa La Dolce turned out to be everything we dreamed of and much more: its elegant lines and the harmony of its architecture evoke the serenity of the waters in front of it, in a perfect combination with the intense green of the gardens. Every room, every corner, every detail seems designed to awaken something in those who visit it.
As soon as we stepped through the entrance, we were greeted by an enveloping calm: the sound of the lake’s waves seemed to be an integral part of the villa, as if the building itself breathed to the rhythm of the water.
Walking through the rooms, we were carried away by the sophisticated yet intimate atmosphere, discovering glimpses of the Alps reflected in the lake. We were lucky: the days were clear, and the sun illuminated the villa, drawing plays of light that made each room unique. Here we spent hours discovering every detail, every glimpse that seemed to tell a different story… We were captivated by this magic, we spent hours writing and telling each other about the feeling of this villa.
TWO DAYS OF DREAMS AND DISCOVERIES
Our first day was devoted entirely to discovering the villa and its garden, an oasis of greenery where you can breathe in the scent of jasmine and the freshness of cut grass. Some of us chose to relax on one of the terraces overlooking the lake, sipping tea, while others lost themselves in long walks among the olive trees. It was like being in another dimension, far from the world, immersed in a stillness that reconnects you with yourself.
In the late afternoon, we decided to explore the surroundings, indulging in a sunset aperitif at one of the bars dotting the shores of the lake. The colours of the sunset reflected off the water, painting the sky orange and pink: a magical vision that made us feel truly part of this place. The evening continued in one of the local restaurants, where we enjoyed traditional Lombardy dishes and toasted to this adventure that brought us together as a team but also as friends.
Being here is part of our EV Icon Italy project, a celebration of those places that embody the timeless appeal of Italy and take our tradition to a level of authenticity and style that is hard to match. Villa La Dolce is a true icon: immersed in an area rich in history, art and breathtaking landscapes, it embodies the essence of an Italy that knows how to be luxurious and welcoming, intimate and grand. Lake Como, with its picturesque villages and historic villas, is the symbol of a beauty that knows no season and continues to enchant anyone who visits it.
On the last day we had the privilege of saying goodbye to the villa in the morning, when the sun is low and the waters of the lake are tinged a deep blue. In these two days Villa La Dolce gave us much more than just a stay: it gave us a sense of calm and beauty that we will carry in our hearts. Every corner, every glimpse of the lake reminded us how powerful and precious a connection with nature can be.
Saying goodbye to Villa La Dolce was not easy. We left this magical place with a piece of it inside of us: the reflections of the lake, the elegance of the landscape and the beauty of its sunsets will stay with us, reminding us how important it is to find one’s own space, even if only for a few days, in a place that makes you feel in harmony with the world.
DISCOVERING TENUTA PRATELLO
Our journey with EV Icon Italy, which started in Sicily, ends in a place that seems to encapsulate all the essence of Tuscany, our land: Tenuta di Pratello. Nestled among rolling hills, vineyards and olive groves, this estate welcomed us with its warmth and authentic beauty, leaving each of us with the memory of an unforgettable experience. It was a special stage, which sealed a journey that began with big dreams and led us, step by step, to explore places that embody the truest soul of Italy.
A WELCOME AMIDST COLOURS, SCENTS AND TRADITIONS
Arriving at the Tenuta di Pratello, we immediately felt the ancient breath of this land. The rows of cypress trees led us up to the villa, an oasis of serenity that opens like an embrace between centuries-old olive trees and vineyards that tell centuries-old stories. In this landscape, every corner is an invitation to slow down, to breathe deeply and feel part of a place where nature and history intertwine in perfect harmony.
We spent the first few hours exploring the estate, walking among the vineyards and hills, being enchanted by the warm colours of the landscape and the scent of lavender that enveloped us. Our team of travel bloggers let themselves be carried away by the beauty of this land, savouring every moment as a unique encounter with the most authentic and profound Tuscany, where the rhythms are still those of the past and everything seems to have a special meaning.
A TENNIS TOURNAMENT WITH FRIENDS AND LAUGHTER
One of the most carefree moments of our stay at the Tenuta di Pratello was undoubtedly the tennis match, an experience made even more special thanks to the presence of Leonardo, our tennis instructor, a Tuscan doc, capable of combining his experience with an engaging energy. Technique and a touch of elegance: each of our shots needed care, but with his friendliness Leonardo transformed the match into a new opportunity for exchange… laughter and healthy competition among the hills!!!! Between playful banter and encouragement, we felt like a real team, united by the lightness of the moment and the enchanting atmosphere of the Tuscan landscape at sunset.
After tennis, we decided to pay homage to Tuscany and close this final leg of our journey with an unforgettable dinner. Thanks to the availability of Emma Villas, we organised a cooking class directly on the estate, where we learnt how to prepare typical Tuscan dishes under the guidance of Chef Giulia, a local cook with a warm smile and a deep passion for the culinary traditions of her land. Fresh ingredients, olive oil fresh from the franotio and the scents of aromatic herbs transformed the evening into an intimate and authentic celebration of Tuscany.
As we cooked together, recounted travel anecdotes and relived the best moments of EV Icon Italy, we felt an even stronger bond, fuelled not only by our shared experiences, but also by the beauty and well-being we had cultivated together during the weeks of travel. What did we prepare? Pici all’aglione and peposo dell’Impruneta; once at the table, we took a moment to observe the culinary work… And the dishes seemed to us to symbolise our adventure and our friendship: care, sharing, beauty. The evening ended with toasts and complicit glances: it was the last evening of this journey, and together we sealed a path that had touched magnificent places and created precious memories.
Leaving Tenuta di Pratello was difficult, knowing that this was the last stage of the EV Icon Italy project.
But with a smile, we shared a knowing glance: this is only the beginning. Each place we visited, each experience brought us closer to the heart of Italy, and we are already working on the next chapter of this journey. With EV Icon Italy Year 2, we will explore new places, in search of hidden places and wonders, taking everything we have learnt on this journey with us.
Tenuta di Pratello welcomed us with its peace and splendour, and is already ready to welcome the next guests… How can we not envy them!
We have left a piece of our hearts in these hills; we are already ready to continue telling the story of the Italy we love. One place at a time, one villa at a time…
