Lake Como area - Which villa to visit? Serbelloni, Balbianello or Carlotta?
 

I am confident that Rex or Bob or some well travelled Fodorite will have the scoop! We will be staying in Bellagio for 3 days and have a car.

Hi Jeri, I have been researching this for a while and Rex recommends Balbianello. Other fodorites have also gushed over this one, so I will definitely go there. Also recommended, in case they don't read your question, is Villa Carlotta when the gardens are in bloom. Most guide books I have read recommend these above the Serbelloni. In fact, some research I did advises that Bellagio is for relaxing, people watching, eating and shopping. I hope this helps. I haven't been yet, but leave May 8. Enjoy your trip. Kay

Also add a stroll around the town of Varenna and then a stop at Villa Monastero on the outskirts of the town. If you're going for three days, you should have time to do all the places mentioned thus far.

Kay thanks for the info and I wish you a wonderful trip w/ great weather! As always Howard you come through, thanks.

We did the tour of Carlotta in 99 and enjoyed it. It gives you a great view of Bellagio across the way. You will have time to do others also as this did not take all that long as I remember.

Whatever you do, be sure to take the ferry to Varenna and walk over to Villa Monastero. Actually you don't really get to see the villa but the gardens and the views along the lake are incredibly spectacular. Gardens are not usually my thing but this place is really really special. Please do not miss it. Howard put me onto this for my trip to Italy that I was on at this time last year, sniffle sniff. I wish I were there right now!

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I concur with the above comments and would add Villa Melzi to the mix. If I did only one, Villa Carlotta is hard to beat. Good luck !

Isn't Serbelloni a hotel?