Long term lets (over 1 month) Short-breaks (4 days or less)
Changeover day:
Flexible
Access:
Car advised Wheelchair access Nearest amenities: 1.5 km
Notes:
May take pets - please enquire Suitable for children No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
Newly available, Villa Camellia is spacious (around 150 m2) , light and modern in style with spectacular timbered ceilings, tastefully decorated with quality furniture (maple with glass and chrome inserts) and leather sofas and armchairs. There is a light attractive atmosphere throughout all the rooms.
All the principal rooms have french windows onto balconies or terraces creating an airy outdoor feeling.The living/dining room, almost 30 ft long, is impressive with a large log fire ideal in autumn and winter (we supply the wood!). Villa Camellia is available at most times of the year and is fully centrally heated in winter and, in the summer, the bedrooms are air-conditioned.
We have a fully fitted kitchen/breakfast room equiped with all the appliances you could wish for and a luxury bathroom with jacuzzi, wc, bidet and hand washbasin. A shower room has a power shower, wc, and bidet plus a deep sink for hand washing clothes. There is also an automatic washing machine.
There are three double bedrooms, one with a kingsize bed, the second with a super kingsize bed, and the third bedroom has twin single beds and additionally a mezzanine children's bedroom also with twin beds.
A special feature for energetic visitors is a dedicated gym with exercise machines and a super sauna. Adjacent is its own shower room with power shower, wc, bidet and hand washbasin.
The home is well equipped with satellite TV in the living room together with a full Sky package. A separate digibox provides all the BBC national and regional TV and radio programmes together with ITV 1 and many European stations. We also have a DVD/CD player with an extensive collection of DVD's and CD's, and there is a top quality hi fi system to enjoy. In two of the bedrooms there are TV and DVD players whilst the third has a CD player. For the children there are a number of games and books to entertain them and the adults have a decent library - not that you are likely to have time to do much reading!
Villa Camellia is a modern south facing home with a secure, totally enclosed secluded terraced garden with pine and olive trees and extensive balconies and terraces flanked with orange and lemon trees. The terrace is furnished with outdoor teak tables and chairs with a barbecue.
Villa Camellia
Aerial view of Menaggio and Lake Como beyond
View of villa from terraced garden
Overlooking Lake Como from the south facing terrace
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/54769
The Lombardy / Lake Como Area
This area of Lake Como has for many hundreds of years been a major destination centre for people from all over the world. It was an essential stopping off point for "The Grand Tour" during the Victorian era when wealthy aristocrats spent the season journeying through Europe. Because of its warm, balmy climate the Lake has been a welcoming place since Roman times when Pliny made it a favourite place to stay. In more recent times Churchill often stayed and painted in the region. Today it is the home of George Clooney and Richard Branson as well as the Versace family. It's also a highly desirable place of retreat for those living in Milan, 40 miles away, escaping from the summer heat!
Because of the effects of the Lake it is warmer in the winter than predicted (snow is a rare event) and a little cooler in the height of the summer- temperatures in August are generally in the low or mid 30's . We do have short thunderstorms from time to time - every 8 or 10 days and generally at night(!) - which keeps everything green and fresh. In short it is a perfect climate for the family to enjoy themselves.
With a car there is an immensely varied choice of interesting places to visit. Lugano and its lake is 30 minutes drive along an amazing scenic country road. Lake Maggiore and picturesque lakeside towns such as Locarno, Ascona and Stresa are an easy hour and a half away. There is a network of little mountain roads giving ready access to the surrounding mountains with spectacular views of the Alps and if you are lucky on a clear day, of Tuscany 150 miles away! There are also cable cars and mountain railways to take you to the tops of some of the mountains. The all-the-year round elegant resort of St Moritz is another must-do trip for those on holiday in the area.
Visitors can drive to Lake Garda for the day or drop in to Verona and see Juliet's balcony. Venice is for the enthusiast but with a direct motorway from Milan, is within 3-4 hour's drive. But those wanting a gentle relaxing holiday shouldn't stray too far from Menaggio - there's no need!
Menaggio area
The centre of Menaggio is less than a mile away from the villa and regular ferries provide easy access to all parts of the Lake. We are around 12 miles from Switzerland and Lugano, around 18 miles from Como City, 50 miles from St Moritz and, just across the lake in Varenna, a regular and inexpensive rail service whisks you to the heart of Milan.
Culture is the life force of the area and any excuse is enough for a celebration! Visitors should not be surprised at the events taking place - there's lots of concerts, open air festvals , and it's near enough to hop over to Lugano in August when the city has a major Blues festival. Lake Como must be one of the few places in the world when, during the summer, there is a fireworks competition amongst the towns when the mountains echo to the roar of thousands of rockets and shells being set off! To wet your appetite we have put together a 60 minute DVD of the area around Menaggio and lake Como which we shall be happy to send to you on request.
There are often music concerts taking place in most of the surrounding towns, in town squares, churches hotels or historic villas and many of these are free. The tourist information centre in Menaggio is a mine of information and the helpful, friendly staff speak most languages.
There is an outstanding nature reserve close by - Lake Piano in nearby Piano Porlezza which is an idylic place to visit with cool quiet foot paths wending their way through the woods where you can, if you're very lucky, see wild deer and boar - be careful if they have young with them! In winter the lake freezes over in time for Christmas providing a vast free open-air skating rink!
How to get there
An excellent choice of budget airlines - Ryanair, Easyjet, Jet2 , Flybe, Fly BMI and bmibaby etc fly from most parts of the UK. Many major national airlines such as BA and Alitalia also fly from the UK and Europe to Milan's three international airports. From London's City Airport, Air One and BA Cityflyer fly to Milan Linate and Malpensa airports.
Bergamo (Orio al Serio) and Malpensa are both within easy travelling distance of Lake Como and Menaggio. Linate Airport, to the south east of Milan, is a little further away but has a good motorway network giving fast access to Lake Como either through the City of Como or via Lugano in Switzerland. We offer a complimentary collection service for inward bound travellers and of course take them back at the end of their stay. We can also provide a run around service during the holiday if required and, if reserved in advance, offer a chauffered service for those wishing to travel further afield at a reasonable rate. If holiday makers prefer to hire a vehicle, all three airports have the usual car hire companies such as Hertz and Europecar etc and full details will be sent on request.
For those travelling by car it is almost all motorway from Calais right through to Lugano on the Swiss/ Italian border. We are just 12/13 miles from Lugano. We provide detailed information on recommended routes from northern France right to the front door - either the direct way on the peage or alternatively via a more scenic route through the Ardenne and Alsace which we prefer. That way you are able to take advantage of much cheaper fuel in Luxembourg! We provide comprehensive hotel information for those wanting to stay overnight on the way and also provide a complimentary vignette giving free access to all the Swiss motorways and tunnels for the current year.
Depending on the time of year you should normally allow 11 hours drive time from Calais to Menaggio so, adding in the time to reach Dover and cross the ferry, it is a comfortable 1 1/2 days travel, perhaps a little more with young children. If you go via the Tunnel and have 2 drivers, the journey can be done in a day - as we have done from time to time. If you regard the journey as part of your holiday as we do, you should try to drive through the Alps on the Swiss fast and modern motorways in the daylight - it's one of the most spectacular journeys you will ever experience!
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Bergamo (Orio al Serio ): 50 km
Railway:
International stations at Lugano, Como or Milan: 20 km
Ferry:
Local ferry in Menaggio: 1.5 km
Activities near Menaggio
Sports: Watersports Horse Riding Golf less than 15 mins walk Fishing
Great for: Walking holidays Rural / countryside retreats Beach or lakeside relaxation A winter sun break Cycling holidays
Facilities
Luxuries:
Gym, Jacuzzi / Hot tub, Sauna, Log fire, Internet access, DVD player, Sea view
General:
Central heating, Air conditioning, TV, Video player, CD player, Telephone, Fax, Satellite TV
Single beds (4), Double beds (2), Cots (2), Dining seating for 8, Lounge seating for 8, Sleeps maximum of 8
Other:
Linen and towels provided. Highchair available.
Outdoors:
Balcony / Terrace, Private garden, BBQ, Bicycles available
Access:
Wheelchair access, Secure parking
Further details indoors: Children's bedroom (bedroom 4) with two single beds is at mezzanine level above one of the three double bedrooms
a Jamestown antique pine cot bed with Coolmax sprung mattress and high chair (all from Mothercare), Britax Asis car seat (new-born to 4 years), and comprehensive range of everyday items for babies and toddlers are available at no charge - please give us a call before the start of your holiday
mezzanine office with internet acess, computer and printer
gym on separate level with sauna and exercise machines and adjacent shower bathroom
The house is fitted with a modern security alarm.
Further details outdoors: Garden furniture on large balcony with barbecue plus separate barbecue in garden
secure car parking and electronic gates for pedestrians and cars and external lighting on terraces and balconies
totally enclosed secluded garden with lots of shady places in summer
Further details
We send a welcome pack prior to the holiday with comprehensive information about the region and what it offers plus useful tips to ensure a great holiday. We can provide transport during the holiday( 6 passengers max) in a 4x4 Volvo XC90 Executive at an agreed cost but short trips in the locality are not charged .
Bookings are normally Saturday to Saturday during the months June to the end of September unless agreed beforehand. At other times of the year we can be more flexible. A 25% non refundable deposit is payable on making the booking with the balence due no later than one calender month before the start of the holiday. Cheques or electronic payments should preferably be made in Euros but if made in sterling, dollars or any other currency, holiday makers are advised to check beforehand with us on the current exchange rate.
The Villa is self catering but we are able to offer continental breakfast served on the terrace if requested. 4/5 course evening meals are also available. Sample menus and prices can be sent and requests should be made prior to your holiday.
Conditions
We do welcome well behaved small dogs but on the understanding that the owners are fully responsible for any damage or losses that may ensue and the dogs are not left unattended in the house. The garden is totally enclosed and acess is via electronic pedestrian and drive gates onto a quiet private road. We allow smoking on the balconies and terrace but not in any of the internal areas. A refundables breakage deposit of 200 euros is required on arrival which will be refunded within one week of departure subject to a satisfactory inspection of the property. All the main rooms are at ground level giving easy access but there are stairs within the house which parents of youngsters should be aware of ( we do have a stair gate which we can fit if asked). There is a mezzanine children's bedroom and, because of the stairs, this sleeping area is not suitable for the very young. If you have any requests for special equipment please make these at the time of booking - we will do our utmost to meet your requirements!
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: Euros €
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
April - May
11 Apr 08
31 May 08
1200£ 952
0-
0-
1 Week
June - September
31 May 08
6 Sep 08
1800£ 1,429
0-
0-
1 Week
September - October
6 Sep 08
1 Nov 08
1200£ 952
0-
0-
4 Nights
November - December
1 Nov 08
20 Dec 08
950£ 754
0-
0-
4 Nights
December - January
20 Dec 08
3 Jan 09
1200£ 952
0-
0-
1 Week
41
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion.
Guestbook
Edwina and David! Thank you so much for making our stay such a great success. Lovely villa, lovely location, lovely weather, and lovely restaurants - we had a great time and will come again and again! Alistair and Judith, Derbyshire We've been three times now and enjoy it more and more each time. We were looked after like princes! Thanks a million - see you next time - hope it's soon! Isabel and Stephen, Notts Thank you so much for making sure we had a perfect stay in your lovely home. It was a magical two weeks and we will come again I promise. Hope you like the pictures I made for you! Ruth and Eckerhart, Emmendingen, Freiburg, Germany Absolutely fabulous! We were so spoilt it was hard to get back to reality when we arrived back home. Have to come back to have more of the same - please! Rosie and Shelagh, Didsbury, Manchester
Availability notes
To see availability please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/54769
Click to view availability for this property.
Contact owner
To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/54769
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