Lake Como has long been a popular getaway for holidaymakers seeking an elegant lakeside retreat, with the towns of Bellagio and Como attracting tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of visitors a year. Its appeal is by no means new. Lake Como was one of the major luxury European hotspots of the 1960s, providing a haven for Hollywood stars and wealthy families keen to escape the city.

Winston Churchill came here to paint after the war and Verdi was inspired to write La Traviata on these very banks. Today, signs of luxury abound – private boats dot a lake surrounded by waterfront mansions, and there’s a Ferrari around every corner, with the likes of George and Amal Clooney, Tom Cruise, Madonna, and Sylvester Stallone all enjoying the shores of Como.