You might be tempted not to believe the hype that surrounds Como Lake. Wise men have dismissed its glistening waters and Risorgimento-era villas before, only to discover that the charms this glitzy, glamourous enclave of the Italian Alps can prove irresistible. Half of life here is conducted on the water; the other half in the cafes, bars, villas and ski pistes. For the former, ask your Como Lake tour guide to help organize boating trips along the whole length of the area. Menaggio is a good place to base your excursions, with its excellent transport access to the other villages and great living options. There are some great trekking routes to be explored here, as well as around quieter Lecco located on the southern end of the water. Meanwhile, in the gilded towns of Bellagio and Tremezzo, A-list celebrities recline on their yachts and cafes laden with foodie delights spill onto cobbled squares, while Como brings in a healthy dose of history, and Varenna promises pretty waterfronts and direct connections to Milan.