Jasmine & Terracotta

Jasmine & Terracotta: Lombardy

In the mountainous peninsula between the two “legs” of Lake Como, this villa sits in splendid isolation. Manicured gardens surround the traditionally ochre-hued villa where towering trees hide secret swings, picnic benches and even a spot for badminton. There’s a patio for dining in the sunshine and here you’ll hear nothing but the cheep and pip of birdsong.

An ivy-covered front and typically green-shuttered windows greet you at the end of a long driveway. Inside, terracotta floors keep things cool underfoot and wooden ceilings are reminiscent of the old world. A huge stone fireplace crowns the main lounge, complete with the villa’s old family crest. There are plenty of seating nooks tucked away in this home to hide with a good book. Chefs will love the traditionally Italian kitchen, which has been upgraded from its farmhouse days with granite worktops, but you can still feels the bones of the old kitchen in the wood-topped hearth (now home to a microwave and working bread oven).

Dining can be a formal affair in the separate dining room, illuminated by a medieval-looking candelabra, or a casual breakfast just off the kitchen.

In terms of location, you’re secluded away between the mountains, but the shore of Lake Como is a short drive. Head to Bellagio, where cobbled streets lead to the lake shore and water taxis head out onto the water – it’s just a ten-minute drive away.

Home truths:
*Your host can provide a cot and high chair for infants, just ask
*One of the bedrooms is out in a separate chalet with its own bathroom
*There is plenty of private parking on-site and the nearest supermarket is in Bellagio so having a car is recommended
*There's in-person check-in before 7pm, after which it's self check-in with a key box