By the Light of the Lake

By the Light of the Lake: Lombardy

One glance at those Lake Como views and you'll fall in love with this cosy and romantic flat. There's nothing better than sitting around the dining table, sipping wine, nibbling on antipasti and watching the water ebb and flow out the window. Later on, snuggle up on the cushy sofas with a book or get comfortable in the bedrooms, resting up for an adventure-filled day. The design is a delightful mishmash of mid-century modern, classic Italian character and clean, contemporary style. Although it's compact, the cheery yellow kitchen is sure to put a smile on your face as you're rustling up breakfast, and with two showers, you won't have to worry about queuing in the mornings.

Location-wise, Carate Urio has oodles of old-world charm and an authentic, local atmosphere. Enjoy a cappuccino right by the water, then sprawl out on the small beach for a spot of sunbathing and swimming. In the evenings, stroll along the steeped, winding lanes in the village before grabbing a bite to eat at the traditional restaurants. And when you fancy exploring further afield, catch the ferry from Urio's dock (only a short walk away) to travel to Como.

Home truths:
*The kitchen is a little basic – there's only a gas hob, a microwave and a toaster oven – so we think it's best suited to rustling up lighter fare *A high chair can be provided for little ones, but you'll need to bring your own travel cot *There is a garage on-site with one parking spot – the street is narrow, so larger vehicles may have problems navigating the area and getting into the space *The internet can be a little slow, so we wouldn't suggest working remotely here *There is also bike storage if you're keen to cycle *The church bells across the street ring every morning at 7am *Guests will be able to self check-in on arrival *Please note that there's no washing machine here