Como is just over 40 minutes’ drive from Villa Beatrice, the ferry from Lenno takes a bit longer but it’s a lovelier journey, and you can leave parking to the tourists and focus on getting to know this intriguing little city. Explore the atmospheric medieval quarter and don’t miss imposing Porta Torre; part of the city’s 12th century fortified walls and near neighbour to Mercato Mercerie di Como. Then catch the funicular and glide up Brunate for spectacular views down the length of the lake.

The ferry stop at Lenno is a pleasant 15 minutes walk from Villa Beatrice.

The Sacred Mount of Ossuccio is one of the nine Sacri Monti of Northern Italy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and near neighbour to Villa Beatrice. In fact you can almost step right out of the garden and on to the footpath up the mountain. The route and its 15 historic chapels are clearly signposted, and the view from the uppermost sanctuary is nothing short of miraculous.

The footpath up The Sacred Mount of Ossuccio is marked from Lenno to the Sanctuary which overlooks Lake Como and Trmezzina.

Bellagio is an icon, but is it the most beautiful town on Lake Como? It certainly has some incredible views from the legendary La Punta promenade and it’s impossible not to be a little taken with ice-cream coloured buildings on steep and skinny streets, smart little shops and elegant waterfront restaurants, manicured gardens and undeniably impressive villas. Even the ferry crossing from Lenno conspires to be a little more magical than most boat trips. So go and decide for yourself.

The ferry stop at Lenno is a pleasant 15 minute from Villa Beatrice.

Mezzegra is almost right at the heart of the Greenway del Lago di Como, which means Villa Beatrice is only minutes from one of Lake Como’s loveliest walks. The entire route from Colonno to Griante is only 10km long but punctuated with so many charming towns and villages, historic sights and truly remarkable views, you could easily spin it into several days of wandering. Remember to reward your efforts with gelato by the lake in Lenno.

The Greenway del Lago di Como stretches for 10km along the western side of Lake Como and is divided into seven stages, Villa Beatrice is minutes away from the Mezzegra to Tremezzo stage.

You can’t visit Lake Como in summer without spending a few hours at a lido indulging in the great Italian tradition of sunning, swimming and lazing. We like Lido di Cernobbio for mesmerising views, early morning yoga classes, pools for children and adults, private gazebos and, of course, aperitivo on the terrace at 7pm sharp. Plus it’s committed to low-impact lux, so takes a zero-km approach to sourcing fresh ingredients for its restaurant and uses only solar energy to warm pools and showers.

Lido di Cernobbio is about 40 minutes’ drive south of Villa Beatrice and is open every day during summer from 9am until 12.30am.

In a lush forest setting less than an hour’s drive from Villa Beatrice, Lake Como Adventure Park is a wild mix of ziplines, treetop trails and aerial challenges designed with families in mind. Courses are graded in order of difficulty starting with a cute Squirrel Trail for younger adventurers right up to the Wolf Path which reaches heights of 18m and tests even the most intrepid of teens.

Lake Como Adventure Park is 50 minutes’ drive north of Villa Beatrice and open seven-days between June and September from 10am to 6pm.

When you’ve a hankering for cobbled streets, narrow alleyways and intriguing medieval architecture, take a stroll round the little lakeside town of Sala Comacina. Local restaurants serve up wonderful views of Isola Comacina, the only island on Lake Como: time your visit just right and you can catch a ferry over for a closer look.

Ten minutes drive south of Villa Beatrice, Sala Comacina has a small grocery shop as well as lakeside restaurants and local bars. The summer ferry crossing to Isola Comacina takes five minutes.

Lake Como’s villas are some of the grandest in Italy, but few let you do more than gaze from outside. Villa Carlotta is the exception. Built in the late 17th century for Marquis Giorgio Clerici of Milan, owned by Italian politicians and European royalty until the early 20th century, it’s now open to the public all summer. Go for the fascinating museum and art collection, take time to explore the opulent interior and don’t miss the garden, it’s a masterpiece.

Villa Carlotta sits on Lake Como just 10 minutes’ drive north of Villa Beatrice. The villa and gardens are open every day from 9am to 7pm during summer.