Lake Como Luxury: Escape to Your Stunning Vercana Villa!
Lake Como Luxury: Escape to Your Stunning Vercana Villa! - A Review That's Gonna Get Personal
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to tell you everything – everything – about this Lake Como experience, the good, the slightly-less-good, and the utterly glorious. Let's just say, packing your bags for Vercana and this villa was a game-changer. Not perfect, mind you (nothing ever is!), but a potent dose of Italian magic.
Accessibility: Navigating the Dream – (or Maybe Not Always!)
Right off the bat, let's address the elephant in the room (or, in this case, the lack of ramps): Accessibility. Look, if you're a traveler with mobility challenges, this is tricky. The website, in its usual PR glory, hinted at "facilities for disabled guests," but reality, as always, bites a bit harder. I'm not personally in that boat, thank goodness, but I did notice some serious steps around the property. The "elevator" listed is great and all, but it doesn’t magically transport you over uneven terrain. It's probably best to call them directly beforehand, I'd suggest a thorough interrogation of the layout.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: I saw no specific mention of these on the website. I will assume that these are not available.
The Rooms: My Private Slice of Heaven (and Possibly a Few Headaches) - [Available in all rooms detail]
Oh, the rooms! Seriously. The photos don't lie. We’re talking Air conditioning, thank the gods, because Lake Como sunshine is a beast. Alarm clock – handy, though I mostly rely on my phone, which, thankfully, found a signal with Internet access – wireless (Wi-Fi [free]) in every blasted corner of the place, including the bathroom, which is always a plus. Even Complimentary tea! (And, let's be honest, free tea is the key to my cold, caffeine-crazed heart.)
- Additional toilet: YES!
- Bathrobes: YES! (though I spent most of my time in my swimsuit, honestly.)
- Bathroom phone: Ah, yes, in case of water-related emergencies.
- Bathtub: A gorgeous, deep-soaking tub, perfect for a glass of wine and a weep at the beauty.
- Blackout curtains: SLEEP!
- Carpeting: Luxurious feel.
- Closet: plenty of room.
- Coffee/tea maker: Life-saving.
- Daily housekeeping: The staff here are AMAZING – and the room always felt fresh and welcoming after a long day exploring.
- Desk: For those who still need to be a productive adult.
- Extra long bed: Always a win.
- Free bottled water: Hydration is key, especially when indulging in aperol spritzes.
- Hair dryer: Okay, that one was a bit weak. I needed to blow-dry twice to get a good go.
- High floor: My room had stunning views, but I don't know if that was due to the floor, or the placement of the villa.
- In-room safe box: Useful, although I'm mostly trusting of the world, and that I'm forgetful.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Fine!
- Internet access – LAN: Yes, for the old-school techies.
- Internet access – wireless: YASSSS!
- Ironing facilities: Needed more than I'd like to admit.
- Laptop workspace: Always a plus if I had an actual job I needed to do.
- Linens: Soft soft soft!
- Mini bar: A delightful pitfall.
- Mirror: Too many selfies…
- Non-smoking: As it should be.
- On-demand movies: Fine!
- Private bathroom: Glorious.
- Reading light: Perfect for that book you swore you’d read.
- Refrigerator: Essential for midnight snacks and vino.
- Safety/security feature: Of course.
- Satellite/cable channels: TV is not what I am there for, but it's there.
- Scale: To step on once you eat everything on offer.
- Seating area: Perfect for morning coffee contemplation.
- Separate shower/bathtub: A real treat.
- Shower: Fine.
- Slippers: Never used these.
- Smoke detector: Safety first!
- Socket near the bed: Blessing.
- Sofa: comfy.
- Soundproofing: I slept like a baby.
- Telephone: Nope.
- Toiletries: I am not fussy and used the provided ones.
- Towels: Always nice and fluffy.
- Umbrella: Needed because of the shower.
- Visual alarm: Nice, but never needed.
- Wake-up service: Use your phone.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Everywhere.
- Window that opens: To breathe the air!
There was also an In-room safe box, which, though I trust my fellow humans, is always a good thing. The Bed? Oh, the bed. Firm, supportive, and I swear, whispering "sleep" to me every night.
The Food, Glorious Food… and the Occasional Misstep. - [Dining, drinking, and snacking]
Alright, this is where things get really interesting. From a "foodie" perspective, and there ARE a bunch of options.
- A la carte in restaurant: Yep.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Available.
- Asian breakfast: Yes. (I skipped.)
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Not much.
- Bar: Great place to pre-game.
- Bottle of water: Always there!
- Breakfast [buffet]: Wonderful! Huge.
- Breakfast service: Fine!
- Buffet in restaurant: Delicious.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes.
- Coffee shop: Yes!
- Desserts in restaurant: Amazing.
- Happy hour: Yes.
- International cuisine in restaurant: Yes!
- Poolside bar: YES.
- Restaurants: Yep.
- Room service [24-hour]: Perfect for those late-night cravings.
- Salad in restaurant: Good!
- Snack bar: Useful!
- Soup in restaurant: Yes.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Not that I saw. (Though I swear I ate enough pasta I didn't notice.)
- Western breakfast: Big western breakfast.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Fine.
The Spa, Pool, and Relaxation – A Slice of Heaven… or Overpriced Bliss? - [ways to relax & Things to do]
- Body scrub: Yes.
- Body wrap: Yes.
- Fitness center: Yep.
- Foot bath: Yes.
- Gym/fitness: Definitely.
- Massage: Of course.
- Pool with view: ABSOLUTELY.
- Sauna: A proper one.
- Spa: Yes!
- Spa/sauna: Correct.
- Steamroom: Yep.
- Swimming pool: The best.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Right here.
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized, But Not Overly Obsessed - [Cleanliness and safety]
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good to know.
- Breakfast in room: Yes.
- Breakfast takeaway service: Handy.
- Cashless payment service: Yes.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Standard, but good.
- Doctor/nurse on call: (if needed).
- First aid kit: Yes!
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Good.
- Hygiene certification: Cool.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Ok.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Okay.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Yes
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Nice.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Good!
- Safe dining setup: Wonderful.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Yes.
- Shared stationery removed: Yes.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Yep.
- Sterilizing equipment: Yep.
Services and Conveniences: It's All There (Almost)
- Air conditioning in public area: Need.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: Sure.
- Business facilities: Available.
- **Cash
Alright, Buckle Up, Buttercups! My attempt at a Belvilla-by-OYO itinerary for "Vercana Trilo 4 pax Domaso Italy" is about to get real. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, questionable decisions, and the occasional forgotten toothbrush. This is not your polished travel brochure, folks. This is life.
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Luggage Debacle (Oh, the Joy!)
- Morning (Okay, More Like Midday): Fly into Milan Bergamo Airport. (Pro Tip: Pack snacks. Seriously. That airport coffee felt like it was brewed with despair). The flight went… well, it went. Surprisingly little turbulence. Then the fun starts. Finding the rental car. Turns out, "small car" in Italian means "tiny clown car." We barely fit the luggage, let alone three over-excited adults and ALL the snacks. (I swear I brought enough crisps to feed an army.)
- Afternoon: The drive. The glorious, winding, slightly terrifying drive to Domaso. GPS is our best friend (until it leads us down that farm track). The scenery is breathtaking, of course. Lake Como is a shimmering, postcard-perfect dream. We make a pit stop for gelato. (I went for the pistachio. Regrets? Zero.)
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: ARRIVAL at the Vercana Trilo. Finally! Finding the place is an adventure in itself. "Follow the dirt track, then turn left at the crumbling statue of… something?" (We think it was a saint. Maybe.) Unpacking… well, let's just say it was a game of Tetris with suitcases. And guess who left their favourite hiking boots at home? (Yep. Me. Cue internal screaming.) The view from the balcony is spectacular though. Totally worth the minor existential crisis about the boots. We take a few moments to sit, we unpack and we quickly realize there's a washing machine. (Hallelujah!). We have a toast with the local wine.
- Evening: Dinner at a local trattoria in Domaso. (Recommendations? Avoid the place with the questionable "spaghetti carbonara." Stick to the pizza. ALWAYS stick to the pizza). We eat the pizza, and our souls are a little bit more at peace. Bedtime at 10:00 pm.
Day 2: Lake Life, Lost Maps, and a Lot of Pizza (Again)
- Morning: We wake up, feeling refreshed and ready to go. We were really excited to explore the lake, and immediately decide to take a hike.
- Afternoon: The hike was long and tiring and we got lost. This adventure was full of the fun chaos of a map. After getting back on the track, we were so exhausted with a sense of accomplishment and we decide to take a relaxing bath.
- Evening: Dinner, pizza (I couldn't help myself. This time the Diavola), and a walk. We talked about our plans, and we realized there's a lot more to do tomorrow.
Day 3: Ferry Fun, Bellagio, and That Pesky Mosquito…
- Morning: Ferry to Bellagio! (Tourist alert!). The ferry is packed. We fight our way onto the deck, clutching our cameras and trying not to get swept overboard by selfie sticks. Bellagio itself is… well, it's gorgeous. Picture-postcard gorgeous. So gorgeous it almost hurts. The shops are ridiculously tempting. I bought a scarf I absolutely didn't need. Worth it.
- Afternoon: We wander the streets of Bellagio, eat gelato (again! No regrets!), and try to avoid the hordes of other tourists. The lake views are stunning - probably the best thing I have ever seen! Getting my picture taken.
- Evening: Back to Domaso, back to pizza, and then… the mosquito. Oh, the mosquito. The little bloodsucker found me. The itching! The misery! I spent half the night trying to swat it, cursing its tiny, evil existence. Finally manage to fall asleep.
- Night: Waking up from the itching a few times.
Day 4: Water Sports, Minor Meltdowns, and Local Wine
- Morning We were going to go kayaking but the weather didn't cooperate. That's okay, we said. We'll just chill around the house. We can't find the remote. Great, we'll just sit and read a book. Except no one brought a book. You know what? We'll just take a walk.
- Afternoon: The walk was great! We made a stop along the river and had a picnic lunch. We saw a few cute dogs, and we got lost. We decide to get back to the house!
- Evening: Dinner and we decide to buy some wine, and listen to music and play games. We all talked about our best memories and all the things we wanted to do.
- Night: Sleep.
Day 5: Goodbye Lake Como… For Now (Sniff)
- Morning: Last breakfast on the balcony. Tears almost well up. (Okay, maybe they did. I'm a softie). Packing. The dreaded unpacking of the luggage. The eternal question: "How did I acquire so much stuff?!"
- Afternoon: The drive back to the airport. One last gelato stop. (This time, a double cone of chocolate and hazelnut. No regrets.)
- Evening: The flight home. Feeling tired, happy, and deeply, deeply in need of a holiday to recover from my holiday.
Final Thoughts:
Lake Como is magical. The Vercana Trilo was… well, it was home. It was messy, it was imperfect, and it was ours. It was the backdrop to laughter, tears, questionable decisions, and the best pizza I've ever tasted. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. (And next time, I'm bringing bug spray.) And the hiking boots? Well, they'll just have to wait for another grand Italian adventure.
French Riviera Dream: Stunning Pool Home in Chantenay-Saint-Imbert Awaits!
Lake Como Luxury: Escape to Your Stunning Vercana Villa! - FAQs (and Rambling Thoughts)
Alright, so you're thinking of Lake Como? Specifically, my stunning villa in Vercana? Let's just say, *I get it*. That view alone... (cue dreamy sigh). But, before you pack your best linen, here's the lowdown, with all the messy human details I usually try to keep hidden.
What's the *actual* deal with the villa? Is it as perfect as the photos? (Be honest!)
Okay, okay, let's address the elephant in the room: the Instagram effect. Listen, the photos? They're pretty good (I'm a natural at angles, *ahem*), but perfection? Nah. It's a *real* house, lived in, loved (and, occasionally, a bit neglected). Think of it as...character. Yes, character. That chipped tile in the downstairs loo (don't ask), that's "character." The slightly wobbly table on the terrace? "Character." But the VIEW? That hasn't failed me yet! I swear, every morning, I stumble out there with my coffee and I'm just...breathless. Seriously, it transcends all earthly flaws.
So, is it perfect? No. Is it breathtaking? Absolutely. And honestly, any imperfections are just a signal of it being real and lived in! Adds to the charm, right? RIGHT?
How do I *actually* *get* there? (I'm not a seasoned traveler.)
Ah, the logistics. Let's just say, I've learned *a lot* about Italian public transport. The easiest thing is to fly into Milan Bergamo (BGY) or Milan Malpensa (MXP). From there, you *could* rent a car. Be warned: driving in Italy is…an experience. Narrow roads, passionate drivers, google maps saying, "make a U-turn where there is no U-turn." Personally, unless you're a masochist or a Formula 1 driver in disguise, I'd recommend a private transfer. I can help arrange that. Makes the whole arrival experience feel… well, like you're actually on holiday, and not battling a rental car agency that speaks only Italian.
Once in Vercana, you *might* be okay without a car. The village itself is walkable, but exploring the rest of the lake requires a bit of planning. There's the bus, which is cheap and cheerful (and often crowded), or the ferry, which is scenic AF. Or, taxi's, but, they are expensive! And that's before my usual habit of wandering off and getting lost (and finding an even *better* gelato shop, but that's another story).
Food! Tell me about the food! Is there good food?
Oh. My. God. The food. Okay, deep breath. Lake Como is a culinary paradise. Seriously, I’ve gained at least five pounds every. single. time. I've been. The restaurants are fantastic. The little trattorias in the mountain towns are where it's truly at. The pasta, *ohhhhh the pasta*. And the fresh seafood...and the gelato... and the... Okay, I'm salivating just thinking about it.
My personal recommendations? Well, depends on your mood. Want a fancy, romantic meal with the best view ever? There are a few to pick. Want something casual and authentic? Find yourself a place tucked away in the alleyways of Menaggio or Varenna. DO NOT be afraid to try the local specialities. The polenta is a must. Try everything! You will regret nothing! Maybe a few dress sizes later, but nothing else!
And don't even get me started on the wine. The local wines are a revelation. Crisp, refreshing, and dangerously drinkable. Stock up, people. Seriously. You'll thank me later.
What's the weather *actually* like?
You know how weather forecasts are? *Sometimes* they’re right. Lake Como is generally lovely, especially in spring and autumn. The summers can get hot, and it can get crowded. Winters? I've never been that brave. But my advice? Pack layers. Italian mountains can change their personality *very* quickly. You could be basking in the sun one minute and huddled under an umbrella the next. If you want to be sure, go May to October. But honestly, I've been there when grey skies looked stunning. That's the Lake Como charm!
Is it good for families?
Absolutely yes! Lake Como is wonderful for families. Little ones can splash around at a pool. The water is beautiful. There are tons of family-friendly activities (boat trips!). The gelato is a guaranteed win. And honestly, even the most stressed-out parents seem to relax in the Italian sunshine. Just keep an eye on the children around the lake and, especially, near the roads – Italian drivers and small children are not always compatible. The villa itself is very safe, though. Even the wobbly table is sturdy *enough*.
What's the Wi-Fi like? (Because, let's be honest, it's important.)
Okay, I won't lie. The Wi-Fi isn’t *super* lightning-fast. It works, but it’s not going to win any speed records. Think of it as a chance to *disconnect*. Seriously, put down your phone, look up, and *live* in the moment. (I say this, but I'm still checking my own phone about ten times an hour.) If you *absolutely* need to work, plan ahead. Download what you need. And embrace the beautiful scenery for a digital detox. A digital detox I'm usually terrible at.... But the thought is there!
Any hidden gems or things to avoid?
Oh, the secret spots! Okay, okay, I'll share a few. First, hike up to the chapel near the villa. The view is *insane*. Next, explore the little village of Dervio. It's a little less touristy. Try a pizzoccheri (the pasta). So. Good.
What to avoid? Overly-touristy restaurants that are near the lake and are packed. Food is mediocre and it's a major rip-off, avoid them. And don't be afraid to get lost! Some of the best discoveries come from wandering. Though, personally, I *did* once get lost for three hours and ended up in someone's vineyard. But, it was worth it. The wine was incredible. And the vineyard owner was truly delightful. It's a risk, but, *worth it.*
