Leaving for Lake Como Tonight
Dearest Gentle Readers,
It has been brought to my attention that perhaps it’s time to unveil my latest travel album because, let’s be honest, what happens in Lake Como deserves to be shared with the world.
Italy and I, we go way back. From my very first 📹brand partnership with Airbnb in Venice, to sun-drenched days in Capri and the 📸Amalfi Coast with my girls in 2021, and exploring Rome with my family in 2018, I’ve seen a lot of Italy.
But Lake Como? That was a mystery I had yet to unravel.
I’d always wondered, what makes this place so special? What do people do here that’s different from the rest of Italy?
After catching glimpses of it in Succession’s season 3, my curiosity only grew.
So after my week at the Paris Olympics, I made my way to Lake Como to reunite with my girls for our annual summer trip, and let me tell you, I flew back to Los Angeles feeling well-rested and more inspired than ever. Just what the doctor ordered.
Thanks Comoooo💁🏾♀️
🛩️ Arriving with ease
Lake Como doesn’t have its own airport, so your best bet is flying into one of Milan’s three main airports. Milan Malpensa International Airport (MXP) is the largest, handling most long-haul international flights.
Milan Linate (LIN) is closest to the city center and mainly serves flights within Italy. Then there’s Bergamo (BGY), located a bit outside Milan but with flights to and from other parts of Europe and the UK.
Since we were already in Paris, my sister Kenny and I chose to fly into Linate (LIN). We wanted to explore the city a bit before heading to the lake. LIN’s focus on domestic and short-haul international flights, including those from Paris, made for quicker travel times and easier airport navigation.
🏩 Staying in Style
Now that you’ve got your arrival strategy in place, let’s talk about where to stay.
In Milan, we stayed at the Park Hyatt—a solid 10/10, hands down. Despite our very early morning arrival, we were promptly given access to a spacious spa area to freshen up and get ready. The service, hospitality, and location were impeccable. We enjoyed strolling around, grabbing acai bowls, and checking out a few shops.
Once in Lake Como, we stayed at the Mandarin Oriental, a luxe hotel in the Blevio area. The villa sits gracefully along the lake’s edge, giving ocean views and blending traditional and contemporary design elements—neutral tones, marble details, handmade wallpaper, and original plaster molding. Simply put, both stays were perfetto🤌🏾!
💳 Doing the Most with Less
🛍️ Retail Therapy: Shopping in Milan and Lake Como
When in Milan, we took a day trip to Serravalle Designer Outlet, home to 230 stores and a mix of your favorite designers (though no Dior or Chanel). With up to 70% off, what more could a girl ask for?
There’s a shuttle bus for 25 euros each way, but we missed the last one while focused on our acai bowls and opted for an Uber instead, and it did not disappoint! Imagine getting a Prada tote that usually goes for $2,000 for just $900.
Over in Lake Como, we spent the morning in Bellagio, exploring boutiques and artisan shops with all the gems. Bags crafted from the finest materials, some feeling even richer in quality than my luxury designer collection! Naturally, we left with a few new bags and some fresh pasta for dinner.
🚤 Cruising the Waters: Private is always better
Chartering a boat or taking a private tour of the lake is as routine as hopping on the subway in NYC.
You’ve got plenty of options, including private boat services offered by most hotels. Some of the ones I discovered were Como Classic Boats, Boat-Tour, La Dolce Vita, and Lake Como Boat Tours. We went with a two-hour Island Tour on a Venetian Antonia boat with Boat-Tour.
And of course, we were fashionably late (who sent me to book a 10:30 a.m. tour after the night we had?), but our captain was incredibly patient and even gave us extra time to capture the perfect shot in front of Villa La Cassinella—Succession fans, you know the vibes.
And because the enemy loves division and is always prowling, praying over our trips has become a standard practice for my friends and me. Below are the scriptures we focused on as we fasted to prepare for our journey.
While we embraced the glamour of Lake Como, there are also hiking trails, beaches, and countless other activities to explore!
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
And now, dear readers, as this tale draws to a close, let it be known that my adventure in Lake Como was nothing short of enchanting. Until the next journey unfolds, may your own travels be just as filled with wonder and discovery.
〰Yours truly, Lady T.
