Indulging in Lake Como's natural beauty on a midsummer visit: Travel Weekly

There's a good chance that you traveled to Italy this summer if you had the time.

The main driver of the country's tourism recovery this summer was the 2.2 million Americans who visited between July and September, a 20% increase over the same period in 2019.

If you traveled to Italy this summer, there's a good chance you visited the Amalfi Coast, which was the top destination for bookings to the country.

One of the most sought-after destinations is one that even the best accounts on social media can't do justice to in a single post.

I'm talking about a body of water It wasn't like what I had thought. It wasn't as bad.

The photo was taken by NicoleEdenedo.

The country has consistently been one of the top destinations for European summer bookings, and travel demand has gone up to levels not seen since the start of the Pandemic.

Despite its reputation as a land of luxury, frequented by the Clooneys and the billionaires on "Succession," there are many sides to Italy's lake district. There are a lot of villas here. I agree. I was wondering if I saw a car. It's definitely obvious. There are lakeside apartments to rent, pizzas with $5 beers, and people who have called Lake Como home their whole lives.

Pietro Radoicovich, one of my favorite tour guides who was born and raised in Lecco, said that he gets people who think that Lake Como is a big resort, but it's not because there are other people who live there.

He and I had an insightful discussion during a two-hour boat ride on the lake, which was provided by tour company Lake Como for You, and booked at the last minute for me by Italy specialist Perillo Tours.

It wasn't difficult to see how correct Radoicovich was and how much I agreed with his assessment.

There is a hotel in Lake Como. The photo was taken by NicoleEdenedo.

There was more to it than the villas, the gardens, the cars, and the well-dressed tourists that came to visit. Lake Como is rich in natural beauty, and its luxuriousness lies in its landscape.

No diamond sold in Piazza del Duomo could ever be as bright as Lake Como's twinkling hillsides at night and no greater display of wealth exists than dining alfresco at a canopi.

Getting to Lake Como

There are many ways to see Lake Como and many tour options to choose from.

I suggest booking a train trip with Railbookers if you want to go to the heart of Lake Como. You can catch a day train on high-speed lines such as the Bernina Express or Italy's flagship Trenitalia. You can take your time getting to Lake Como and arrive in style on the Venice Simplon- Orient Express with overnight options and stops in other cities.

The Grand Est TER Alsace line train travels through France and Switzerland in the first class railcar. The photo was taken by NicoleEdenedo.

There are options for pre- or post-cruise river cruises.

Since 2020, Ama Waterways has offered a three-night land extension for the Rhine Castles and Swiss Alps itinerary. The film locations where "Casino Royale" and "Ocean's Twelve" were filmed are included in the tour package.

Two of Perillo Tours' most popular tours to Italy include Lake Como. Both the 12-day Wonders of Northern Italy and the 14-day Italy North Classic offer day trips to Lake Como and other lakes in the Lombardy region.