Lenno – Touring the towns of Lake Como
November 20, 2021
Memories and photos of Lenno are all the inspiration we need to bring a little bit of Italy back into our life. Lenno is a little further down from our usual Lake Como “hood” and we had two reasons for going. Firstly, to visit Villa Balbianello and secondly, to enjoy lunch at Trattoria Santo Stefano. A restaurant we had visited before and enjoyed so much that we felt another visit was needed.
The site of James Bond and Star Wars scenes. Both movie franchises we wait for with much anticipation (slightly confused as to where the Bond franchise is going now they’ve killed off Bond in the latest “No Time to Die”..I digress). At Villa Balbianello Daniel Craig’s James Bond recuperates under the big tree in “Casino Royale”……
…and Queen Amidala and Anakin Skywalker are having a romantic moment in “Star Wars: Attack of the Clones”.
Our visit did not disappoint. In fact it was just like the movie clips above; pure sunshine, perfectly manicured gardens, stunning pots of red geraniums and a perfectly pruned Holm Oak (aka the umbrella tree). Although Daniel Craig and Natalie Portman were not present, we like to think we were sufficient alternatives.
Trattoria Santo Stefano
Our first introduction to Lake Como fish was from our neighbour, who proudly gave us Missoltini. This is a lake fish (called shad – kind of like sardines), which has been cured and dried in the sun. It is now a favourite of ours and something we often buy when we are in Italy (great with pasta). At Trattoria Santo Stefano they offered a starter of Missoltini on a potato and vegetable gratin. Delicious and something I will definitely try to make.
We were also spoiled with their special of the day; fresh cuttlefish stuffed with onion, garlic and pepper. And calamarata pasta served with cuttlefish, where the pasta is shaped like calamari rings and couldn’t be identified among the equally sized and tomato sauce covered cuttlefish rings.
What else did we find in Lenno
On this visit we decided to explore further, and as ever a wander on foot revealed many delights:
- A tree-lined promenade walk from the piazza to the ferry terminal. Amazing views of the lake and several jetties to walk out on and enjoy the view some more.
- Along the lakeshore in the other direction took us to Villa Balbianello. The walk passed some stunning villas and then climbed along a cool wooded path to the villa.
- While in Lenno we had to try Gelato from “La Fabric del Gelato” translation The factory of gelato. Not a factory, but actually a small artisan gelateria with only homemade gelato. Back in the UK, the need for ice-cream has somewhat diminished.
Chiesa Santo Stefano. Another ornately painted church interior which was worth popping in to see.- Baptistery of San Giovanni Battista. The old architecture in Italy is amazing and this is a little gem; an unusual octagonal structure in perfect pale cream stone dating back to the 11th century. Its setting in the main piazza opposite the church is perfect.
Where to next?
Before returning to the UK we stopped in the Dordogne region of France. A stunning area full of history, but also packed with amazing food. Inspiration heaven that I simply have to share (It would be wrong not to show the amazing food photos, be prepared to drool).
And now, we have returned to the UK for more hiking and travelling around our fair country. Happy days!
