Eulogized by Roman poets, gilded by Habsburgs, and patronized by A-listers, Como is up there with the pedigree of Italy's vacation towns. And why not? The setting is nothing short of glorious, capping off the western leg of Lake Como that cuts deep into the Prealps with shimmering waters and pebble beaches. The town itself is a stunner, with pink-tinted chateau, pastel-painted mansions on the water's edge, and grand Neoclassical temples alike. But it's really the lifestyle that's the icing on the cake. Days here are all about R&R; a Lombard La Dolce Vita that includes cycling, sunbathing, and sipping sparkling wine.

Getting help from a Como tour guide is essential if you only have a couple of days to explore. You will need to decide between enlightening walks through the science exhibits of the Tempio Voltiano or 14^th-century art trails in the Duomo di Como. Or, perhaps you'd like to sample the great outdoors of the Italian Alps? For that, there are hidden beaches and lidos up and down the lakeside, there's a breezy promenade, long-distance cycling paths, and mile upon mile of hiking in the San Primo and Pizzo di Gino massifs above the center. Of course, you could also just settle in for prosecco and pasta in one of the local trattorias to simply watch the world go by.