The 18th-century Lake Como villa where Taylor Swift came to relax
I sometimes suffer from the same dilemma in hotels. I know the staff are paid and happy to help me when I want something, but I find it more relaxing, and often quicker, to do it myself. However, hotels don't appreciate it if you mooch around their kitchens, humming a tune and boiling your own egg for breakfast.
The obvious answer is to stay in holiday villas, which is what I tend to do. But then there's the exhausting stop-off to buy food and drink to stock the kitchen, try and understand how the air-conditioning works, and spending hours fishing leaves and bugs out of the pool because floating things unsettle my OCD. (I bet you're glad you are not going on holiday with me this summer.)
I have, however, found the perfect solution. Admittedly, it's neither inexpensive nor understated, but it really ticks every box. It's a very grand and ornate villa, nestled on the shores of Lake Como, that is serviced by the exquisite and award-winning team from the nearby Grand Hotel Tremezzo. Here you get the best of both worlds: privacy, freedom, a kitchen you can wander into, and a discreet and charming staff on hand whenever you want them. You can pretend you're totally independent while not needing to lift a finger throughout your stay. No wonder the villa was chosen by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce for a well-earned respite during the singer's Eras tour last year.
The mostly 18th-century, neoclassical Villa Sola Cabiati on Como's Riviera della Tremezzina began its life, as did many of the area's grand houses, as the summer residence of an aristocratic Milanese family. Despite it being only their holiday home, the Dukes of Serbelloni didn't skimp on the design. Outside, perfectly clipped parterre gardens swoop towards the lake. Inside the villa — with its large staircase, fresco ceilings, marble balconies and two wings housing six suites — is an extraordinary collection of art and furniture: tapestries, Murano-glass chandeliers, porcelain, murals by a pupil of Tiepolo and a bed once slept in by Napoleon and Joséphine.
Every room feels like a film set and the breakfast served in the dining room each morning looks as if it was directed by Fellini. At the back of the villa are pretty private gardens as well as a large swimming pool; at the front you can skip down the stone steps and dine or sunbathe in the arabesque gardens and admire the views of the surrounding lake while tucked away safely behind the pleasingly imposing wrought-iron gates.
There's a strong possibility you won't want to leave the villa. After all, it is fully catered. And should you, like me, wish to pretend you're happy to cook your own dinner or mix your own cocktail on occasion, they will teach you how to do so. A mixologist showed me how to make a unique espresso martini using Borghetti and Frangelico liqueurs along with Sirop de Monin (a popcorn flavour). Meanwhile, the chef and his team helped me make a delicious but simple buckwheat pasta dish, a classic from Lombardy called pizzoccheri.
• Read more luxury reviews, advice and insights from our experts
Across the road from the entrance, the villa has a private jetty — which like everything else here is theatrical — from which a classic Riva boat can whizz you to Como's other jewels. The Grand Hotel Tremezzo, with its famous white and orange striped 'beach' club, has a spa in what was once a grand library and a restaurant serving, should you desire, a risotto topped with edible gold leaf. In the other direction is my personal favourite, Passalacqua, another 18th-century villa-turned-hotel that is like a set from a Wes Anderson movie. If you arrive by boat, you are whisked up a winding pathway through the hotel's formal gardens in a bright orange Fiat Jolly with wicker seats and open canvas roof. The garden terraces are a riot of colour and pattern that manages to stay the right side of sane and somehow not distract from the jaw-dropping views over Lake Como. On a summer's day I honestly don't think there is a more perfect or romantic spot for a long lunch or sunset cocktail.
On the boat back to Villa Sola Cabiati, you pass by George Clooney's home in Laglio (the locals all love him as he lets them use his private beach) as well as the imposing Villa la Cassinella. This opulent home, with its acres of waterside gardens, is reputedly owned by Richard Branson, can be accessed only by boat or helicopter, and costs just under £168,000 a week to rent in June. But the most recognisable of them all is Villa del Balbianello. It was here that Daniel Craig's James Bond was filmed recovering from his injuries in 2006's Casino Royale. You can rent this one for weddings and events, but can't stay here.
Despite its lavish splendour, there is something comforting, even homely, about returning to the villa after a day spent exploring Como. The staff are so welcoming, the bedroom suites are large yet cosy, decorated in handpainted wallpapers and littered with plump sofas. All six suites have windows looking out onto the lake. There isn't a dud room. You sink into the soft wood-fibre sheets, stuffed from the evening's dinner and, rather alarmingly, begin to dream about breakfast — which you can make yourself. Or not. Sometimes it's good to be the guest.
Details Villa Sola Cabiati costs from €10,000 per night, including all food, the services of a butler and housekeepers, chambermaid and private chef, and two return transfers to Grand Hotel Tremezzo and its facilities, grandhoteltremezzo.com
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Why cruising is the most accessible way to travel overseas
It was day one of our week-long cruise to the Norwegian fjords, and barely 90 minutes since we'd handed over our passports at P&O Britannia's accessible check-in quarters, we were already in our cabin. 'How fast was that?' I enthused to my partner, Paul, a wheelchair user since a spinal injury at the age of 21. He nodded enthusiastically, still thrilled that he'd been able to bring a second back-up chair, and by the generously sized wet room which had greeted us. We cracked open our bottle of champagne – part of the 'one bottle of wine per person' we were permitted to bring with us – and settled into our accessible cabin on deck 11, preparing to spend the following day at sea cruising along the inky blue waters off North West England. We used this day to explore the ship, finding that it was – on the whole – wonderfully easy to get around, with plenty of other wheelchair- and scooter-users amongst our fellow passengers, and specific tables at the buffet and lifts between floors reserved for wheelchair users (though not everyone observed these rules). Satisfied that our on-board experience would be a pleasant and easily navigable one, our attentions – and anxieties – turned to whether the same would be true of the various shore excursions ahead. We needn't have worried. P&O had clearly given much forethought to the ports which would prove most accessible for disabled passengers, with each destination offering step-free and (mostly) flat roadways and paths, allowing us to explore each without incident. Amongst our stops were the cities of Stavanger and Kristiansand – both delightful and very scenic – but it was the small farming village of Skjolden which really stood out. Gliding up the calm, crystal clear Sognefjord, we passed tumbling waterfalls and hillsides dotted with pretty wooden homes – then, as we neared the shore, we heard the bells of mountain sheep ringing as farmers toiled their lands nearby. Having disembarked, we followed a beautiful accessible tarmac road which wound around the feet of rugged, snow-capped mountains – a stunning place, and everything we'd hoped a cruise around Norway would offer. We stopped for a picnic at a little bench by the water, taking it all in as other cruisers – on foot, in wheelchairs or on scooters – passed by, deciding which of the various pathways ahead took their fancy as mountain goats and highland cows watched from the nearby fields with interest. That evening, we returned to the ship and watched the sun set from the rear deck, the sky and still waters streaked with the same deep hues of burnt orange and bruised purple. But it wasn't all plain sailing. As we'd been supping our champagne on that very first day, a wheelchair disaster of sorts had been unfolding below us on deck seven. Fellow passenger Alan Rogers, who has multiple sclerosis, had gone for some fresh air on the rear deck in his P&O-approved chair. While rolling himself down a too-steep ramp, he had come crashing out of it and was left lying on deck, helpless and in pain. Paul had tried to access the rear deck via this same ramp some days later, and also found it much too steep, saying that he'd needed two strong men 'to lift up the wheelchair and get me out'. When asked, P&O told us that their safety officer has no issues with the ramp, having recently been aboard the Britannia and found it all in order and within their specifications. 'But why don't they consult the wheelchair users who need these facilities?' says Alan. 'And if the ramps can't be fixed, what about a buzzer to call staff to hold open doors and to hold the wheelchair as you go through them?' P&O's newer ships, he told us, are better on this score. 'My first trip with my wife, Rachel, was on the Iona,' he says of another of the line's ships, launched in 2020. 'It was brilliant, with a decent-sized wetroom and electric buttons to press for the doors and balcony. I don't fly any more, and though cruises are definitely more accessible than a flight, I'm still limited in what I can go on.' He hopes that by speaking out, P&O might be prompted to adjust the ramps on the older ships to ensure the safety of other passengers. Nevertheless, overall Paul and I were impressed. Thanks to the all-encompassing nature of a cruise, this was the first holiday I had successfully organised myself, and the price – £899 per person, including all meals – had been manageable on my part-time salary. This approach also meant that we had been able to entirely avoid flying (which, with Paul's wheelchair and my own mental illness, which makes me claustrophobic in airports, is often an ordeal) or renting a car, but still get right into the heart of the rugged fjords and snowy mountains in all their beauty. Cruising is still a welcome lifeline for many wheelchair users who want to travel – but with just a few small tweaks, it could be even better.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
The Mediterranean island that Brits don't know about with spectacular beaches and it's loved by Italians
MANY holidaymakers will jet off to Italy over the summer - but few know an underrated island so special even locals gush about it. Places like Sicily will always be popular with British holidaymakers, though if you speak to Italians its the Aegadian Islands they will be heading for. 5 5 In total there are five Aegadian Islands, but only three are inhabited - Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo. Favignana is the largest of three main islands and from above is shaped like a butterfly. It's known for its blue and white fishing harbour and narrow streets. It's small, too, so there's no need to hire a car - you can cycle or walk around to see the towns or go to the beach. Another option is to take one of the many boat day trips to take a tour of the island. You'll see loads of coves and even go to the neighbouring island of Levanzo. Some of the most popular beaches on the island are Cala Rossa, Cala Azzurra, Bue Marino and Lido Burrone. One visitor said about Lido Burrone: "The crystal-clear water and white sand make it one of Favignana's most interesting beaches. It feels like being in the Caribbean." white sand. The beach is a recommended place for seeing marine life, as it's full of fish and a popular snorkelling spot. For any history buffs, Favignana was once the tuna capital of the world because of its tuna fisheries. 'Otherworldly' Italian island just three hours from the UK that featured in two huge Hollywood franchises 5 5 In the 15th century, the island was ruled by Giovanni de Karissima who was also known as the 'Baron of Tuna". When it comes to where to eat on the island, you're most definitely spoilt for choice. There's plenty of seafood dishes thanks to its island location, as well as pasta, arancini and panelle. You don't have to eat at a restaurant either, there are plenty of markets and little takeaway shacks if you fancy something more causal. There are bars dotted around the island so whether you seek shade in the towns or full sun on the beach, you can always find somewhere to have a refreshing drink. When it comes to venturing there, Favignana is 10 miles from Sicily and is easily accessible by ferry. You can travel from Trapani to Favignana all year round and in the high season there are 25 crossings a day. The trip can take up to 1 hour and 10 minutes, with tickets starting at €10 (£8.68). Or you can hop from Marsala to Favignana which has five daily crossings and is generally quicker taking 30 minutes per trip. The ticket prices start at €13 (£11.29). Here's another Italian island that's loved by celebs and the royal family - it has hidden beaches and holiday villages. And you can visit this largely untouched Italian island with red sand beaches. 5
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Brits turn their back on Majorca: Desperate Spanish officials admit anti-tourism protests 'are scaring visitors away' as locals say top resort is 'completely dead'
Spanish officials have admitted that a relentless campaign of anti-tourist protests in Majorca is 'scaring away visitors' - with locals claiming some resorts are now 'completely dead'. A slump in spending in Majorca this summer has been blamed on the wave of anti-tourism protests that have gripped Spain. With British holidaymakers seemingly among foreigners turning their backs on the island, its tourism industry is in panic mode as officials overseeing the nightlife sector and tour companies warn that guests no longer feel 'welcomed'. The restaurant association president, Juanmi Ferrer, gave a stark warning that the messaging of the protests is 'scaring visitors away'. Additionally, Miguel Pérez-Marsá, head of the nightlife association, told Majorca Daily Bulletin: 'The tourists we're interested in are being driven away; they don't feel welcome and are going to other destinations.' Local media reports that the situation has become so dire that some managers have given staff holidays in the middle of July, which is often the height of the summer rush. But it's not just bars, restaurants, and nightlife venues feeling the slump. Tour guides are seeing the same downward trend. Pedro Oliver, president of the College of Tour Guides, said: 'The anti-tourism messages are resonating.' The restaurant association president, Juanmi Ferrer, gave a stark warning that the messaging of the protests is 'scaring visitors away'. He revealed excursion sales have dropped by 20 per cent this summer, with Valldemossa, Palma and Port Soller among the worst-hit areas as British, German, and Italian tourists have all been put off. 'If you generate negative news, which has repercussions in other countries, tourists opt for other destinations when choosing their holidays,' he said. 'We are sending the message that we don't want tourists and that everything is too crowded. Excursion operator Proguies Turístics normally offers around 30 excursions per cruise. That number is now down to just 12 to 14. Its president, Biel Rosales, warned: 'Tourismphobia and the idea that tourists are not welcome are hurting us greatly.' He added that high prices and traffic jams are also turning tourists away. Transport bosses are also worried. Rafel Roig, president of the transport federation, said: 'You can't send out these messages because people won't go where they're not wanted.' Coach firms and taxi drivers have both seen a decline in customers. Biel Moragues, from one of the island's taxi associations, said: 'British tourists are the most upset by the protests and have changed their holiday destination.' Locals now say tourism on the island is completely different from years gone by. Lesley Johnson, 66, from Leicester, who has lived on the island for more than 30 years, told Mail Online: 'This area used to have a lot of British bars and pubs, and they would hold quiz leagues and dance leagues. 'Back then, if you went along this street at 7pm at night, you couldn't walk up, it would be full of tourists, but now it's completely dead. A lot of the Germans and Brits - they've just gone home.' Barbara Mellor, a British citizen who moved to Majorca in 2004, also said: 'We've certainly found that the number of Brits has dropped. 'You get your busy day here and there, but then the next day or a few days, it goes quiet.' It marks a shift in tone from earlier this season, when businesses had been blaming falling tourist budgets for the disappointing figures. Now, many say it's the hostility towards holidaymakers that is making the situation worse. Earlier in the year, angry protesters took to the streets holding up signs warning tourists to 'go home'. Some business owners say the anti-tourism messaging has 'resonated' with holidaymakers Some are said to have even fired water pistols at tourists. Others surrounded holidaymakers, shouting at them to leave the country. But not everyone agrees that the backlash against tourism is to blame. Jordi Mora, president of the Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises of Majorca (PIMEM), rejected claims there had been a real drop in visitor numbers and dismissed suggestions the protests were scaring people away. He said: 'The latest PIMEM report pointed to five per cent growth compared to 12 per cent last year, and that reflected demand which was reaching a limit.' Official figures for July tourism will not be released until September, while June's data is expected in the next few days. There was a 1.6 per cent dip in visitor numbers in May.
