Villa Bianca

The lake views are exceptional, and the home is nice, with a modern interior. The host was extremely helpful. Just be aware it’s up on the hillside, quite a bit above Varenna town centre and the train station, which is why the views are so good. Walking up from the lakeside takes a fair level of fitness.

The view across Lake Como and the quiet setting in Perledo made this a good base for a few nights, especially if you’re planning hikes such as the nearby Panorama Trail. We stayed in the full apartment with a terrace, roughly 100 meters above Varenna’s lakeside promenade. It was very clean and worked well, with steady Wi-Fi and a well-equipped kitchen, though the furnishings feel dated. The private double garage was a real bonus in this area. Luisa was friendly, helpful, and quick to respond. Prices are on the high side, as they are throughout Varenna, but seemed fair for the view, peaceful location, and private parking. One thing to keep in mind: there’s no air conditioning, so summer days can get warm.

Luisa was exceptionally kind and went out of her way to collect us after a landslide affected the rail track, then help us make our onward connections. She deserves five stars on her own. The accommodation itself is quite basic, though the lake view is fabulous. Getting back up the hill means a long, steep climb on a poorly maintained public path. You’ll need to be young, fit, and wearing good shoes, or pay about €15 for a taxi.

I feel cheated and disgusted by how this was handled. We were due to stay from 10 to 14 March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two weeks before the trip, I asked about the situation, and the host told us everything was fine and we should come without fear. I was also told that if we canceled, I could get 50% back. Then, on March 8, Lombardy issued a decree restricting movement to essential reasons such as work or health. Aldo wouldn’t take the restrictions into account and refused to return any of the 520 euros we had paid in advance for the whole stay. He also wouldn’t postpone the trip or refund part of the money. He said he was following the regulations, but they were his own terms and he could have changed them. I tried to find some kind of agreement, with no success. In the end, Aldo kept 520 euros for a stay we couldn’t make. A few days before we were supposed to leave, I was also told there would be extra costs to pay on site. In my opinion, that was just a money grab.