Mr & Mrs Smith Palazzo Albricci Peregrini

Como town is at the south-westernmost point of Lake Como. There are plenty of shops, cafés and restaurants to discover in Como itself, or explore further afield afloat, with a boat trip to admire its waterfront mansions (hello, Casa Clooney) and dine at its lake-edge ristoranti. You may recognise Villa del Balbianello from its cameo role in Bond movie Casino Royale: stroll the gardens, soak up the lake views, or take a guided tour. Ask the hotel to book a boat trip to Bellagio, Menaggio or Varenna. For views over the lake with an amazing Alpine backdrop, take the funicular from Brunate up to the Pissarottino Fountain. You can’t help but notice the decorative domes of Como Cathedral, a mesmerising melange of Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic architecture. Go for the stained glass and intricate masonry, stay for the vaulted ceilings and glut of Renaissance paintings.