Varenna holiday apartment rental, Fiumelatte with walking, beach/lake nearby, balcony/terrace, air con, internet access, rural retreat, DVD

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Primo del Lago (apartment)

Home description

This fabulous top floor apartment offers top quality fixtures and fittings throughout and offers gorgeous panoramic views of the of the lake. There are quite a few steps up to this rather unremarkable building which leads to the apartment but well worth the climb. The terrace is just the most wonderful place to enjoy the exclusive lake views and is also large enough to dine 'al fresco' and relax with a glass of Italian wine!

The apartment is stylishly furnished with fixtures & fittings designed to maximise your enjoyment.

Varenna is one of the most picturesque towns on the lake, its steep winding alleys lined with charming homes, flowering balconies and lace-curtained windows. Just above it is the ancient castle where Theodolinda, Queen of the Lombards, is said to have died in the 7th century. Two famed villas to visit here are Villa Cipressi, with terraced gardens cascading right down to the shores, and Villa Monastero, a true showcase.

Incredible views!	Master bedroom with SAT TV & DVD
The terrace is a real sun-trap	2nd bedroom with SAT TV & DVD

To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/44767

The Lombardy / Lake Como Area

Lake Como drips charm and romance in ever increasing quantities since George Clooney purchased a few properties here. European writers, artists and composers 'discovered' the region in the 19th century and have been waxing lyrical ever since. Italians have always known about the lake however, for centuries wealthy Milanese and Lombardians have escaped from the cities for weekends spent sailing and sunbathing.

The deepest lake in Europe and the third largest in Italy, Lago di Como attracts with its backdrop of the majesctic snow covered Alps contrasting with the sub-tropical climate in glorious technicolour colour. In the middle of the lake, around Tremezzo and Bellagio, olive trees and orange trees will have you wondering if you aren't, after all, in Tuscany. The Mediterranean fishing villages on the shores of the lake and the blazing sunshine will have you wondering whether this isn't Liguria.

The best time to go is anywhere between late March and October. Azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias make for a stunning display in March and there’s no shortage of things to do most of the year round – water-skiing, sailing, windsurfing, hiking, cycling…or simply soaking up the sun. Although Lake Como is moments from the Swiss border, the climate is mild and sunny, and in parts sub-tropical - complete with palm trees, olive trees, citrus trees and bougainvillaea.

July and August average 29 degrees and escape the heat and humidity that can cripple Milan. Snow is not unusual between January and early March, nor is rain and frozen fog. Unless you plan on viewing the lake from a hotel bedroom, these months are probably best avoided. Having said that, Como town has more than enough to keep a visitor entertained…and there’s much to be said for rain, romance and historical Roman towns.

Varenna / Fiumelatte area

Varenna, built on a rock at the foot of a mountain is a boat stop from Bellagio on the east side of the lake and though popular it escapes the throngs in Bellagio (undeniably lovely, but like many other undeniably lovely places the crowds, higher prices and ‘tourist trap’ experiences can be very trying). Varenna dates from the 5th century - you can still see in places the original Roman layout of the town: a geometric design which allows wonderful views of the lake. The reds, terracottas and yellows of its houses, its mild climate and the olive and cypress trees make you wonder whether you aren’t 200km further south.

Varenna is home to Italy's shortest river, the Fiumelatte. Only 250 meters long, it rushes, frothy and milky-white (hence the name) down the rockface and crashes into the lake. From the end of March to the end of October each year. And then it stops - just like that.

Varenna is one of the most picturesque towns on the lake, its steep winding alleys lined with charming homes, flowering balconies and lace-curtained windows. Just above it is the ancient castle where Theodolinda, Queen of the Lombards, is said to have died in the 7th century. Two famed villas to visit here are Villa Cipressi, with terraced gardens cascading right down to the shores, and Villa Monastero, a true showcase.

A 10-minute walk down the mountainside is the nearest beach (pebble), food store and bakery, restaurant and Fiumelatte railway station. There is a beautiful pebble beach a 10-min drive away at Lierna and a sandy 'Lido' at Varenna and at Bellano. Local restaurant il Crotto di Pino is steps away from the apartment. The nearest supermarket (Eurospin) and nearest petrol station are in Bellano. The best patisserie nearby is Cafe Loro in Bellano. There is a mini fish market in Mandello (not every day of the week, check opening times) and a fruit and vegetable market on Saturday mornings in Lecco.

The apartment is situated on one of Como’s oldest and most famous hiking trails, Il Sentiero del Viandante or the Wayfarer’s Path, which dates to Roman times and spans the lake’s eastern shore and offers hikers many superb views over Lake Como and the surrounding mountains. Fiumelatte means Milky River and is named after Italy's shortest river which mysteriously dries up here in some months. It was first mentioned 500 years ago in the writings of Leonardo da Vinci who explored it to find the source But neither he, nor anyone else, has ever been able to work it out. . The best shorts walks from the apartment are to the source of the Fiumelatte (1 hour there and back), to Castello di Vezio and back via Varenna (90 minutes) and the shortest is a circular walk around Fiumelatte-Pino is via Via Roslina then up the mountainside and along to the opposite end of the village, then back via Strada Vechia, which is a beautiful old path with great views over Lake Como.

Skiing in the area is bountiful; resorts such as Madesimo, only 1.15hr north of Colico and the local ski resort of Piani di Bobbio, only 40 mins away - http://www.pianidibobbio.com

How to get there

If you come by car, take the SS36 motorway from Milan to Lecco and then take the road to Sondrio via Varenna. Turn off after the second tunnel under Lecco to the right on to the SP 72 and Fiumelatte-Pino is the village before you reach Varenna and there is a signpost to 'Loc. Pino'.

To get to there without a car, take a bus or train from the airport to Milan central railway station then the Milano-Colico train to Varenna. The apartment is a 35-minute walk from Varenna railway station. You can also take a train from Milan central railway to Lecco where you can change trains for Fiumelatte.

You can also drive to Menaggio and take the car ferry to Varenna, which is a short drive to Residenza Bellavista in Fiumelatte-Pino.

Activities near Varenna

Facilities

Further details indoors:
All rooms have a flat screen SKY TV and DVD for your entertainment. There are two double bedrooms, beautifully furnished, with a king-size bed in each and there is a very stylish bathroom with a shower, bidet and WC.

The apartment also has a comfortable double sofa bed in the lounge, air conditioning, a fire and gas alarm with automatic gas turn off plus the essential high speed internet access.

Further details outdoors:
Varenna is home to Italy's shortest river, the Fiumelatte. Only 250 meters long, it rushes, frothy and milky-white (hence the name) down the rockface and crashes into the lake.

From the end of March to the end of October each year. And then it stops - just like that. Leonardo da Vinci climbed down to find out where the water came from. But neither he, nor anyone else, has ever been able to work it out.

Rental rates

Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
Low Season	1 Jan 08	25 Apr 08	900£  714	0-	0-	1 Week
Mid Season	27 Apr 08	28 Jun 08	1080£  857	0-	0-	1 Week
High Season	28 Jun 08	6 Sep 08	1590£  1,262	0-	0-	1 Week
Mid Season	6 Sep 08	1 Nov 08	1080£  857	0-	0-	1 Week
Low Season	1 Nov 08	1 Jan 09	900£  714	0-	0-	1 Week

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion.
Cleaning Costs.
There is a final cleaning cost of €70 when staying for one week & €90 when staying for two weeks with all bed-linen & towels included. If staying for two weeks or more – the bed-linen & towels will be refreshed after each week. All utility usage such as water, electricity & gas, are included in the rental price.

Short Breaks.
3 night break - 40% off weekly tariff / 4 night break - 30% off weekly tariff / 5 night break - 20% off weekly tariff / 6 night break - 10% off weekly tariff

Additional Facilities.
We offer a range of facilities, which are available for hire through our office ‘Happy Holiday Homes’ in Menaggio:
Cot Hire - EU 20 per week,
High Chair - EU 15 per week,
Push Chair - EU 25 per week,
Italian Mobile Phone - EU 15 per week,
Mountain Bikes - EU 60 per week,
Internet Access - EU 15 per week,
Air Conditioning- EU 80 per week, (only if the property has an AirCon Unit and you would like to use it),
Boat Mooring - EU 150 per week, (only if there is a boat mooring available at the rental property).

Payments by Credit/Debit Card & Wire Transfer.
There are no additional charges for credit or debit card payments. However, all bank transfer fees are the responsibility of the sender. To make a confirmed booking, you will be asked to fill in our booking form online and pay a 30% deposit. The remaining balance will then be due 6 weeks before arrival.

Availability notes

Contact owner

To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/44767

Contact details for home 44767 Please mention Holiday Lettings
Name:	Lake Como Homes
Tel:	+44 (0)20 7558 8104
Mobile:	+39 348 1541474
Be aware of time-zones
Languages:
Contact Notes: Email & telephone
Advertiser joined: 16 May 2007 This property added: 20 Feb 2008

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