Le Casette - Breva

“I live in a very small house, but my windows look out on a very large world"
– Confucio

GENERAL INFO
You can breathe the air of Lake Como as it once was, the atmosphere of the past and warm local traditions. “Breva” is the ideal retreat for a couple seeking tranquility and a beautiful view. The lake-front house is decorated with Lombardian-style furniture: from the old trunk to the old staircase that acts as a wardrobe, table, chairs, and crockery of the early twentieth century. Even the bed and bath linens, towels, and pillowcases are hand-embroidered. The small modern kitchen fits in well with the vintage decor.

ADDITIONAL INFO
The apartment features a double bed and a bathroom with a shower, an open living area, and an outside space. There is a direct entrance into a small garden, lavender-scented in the summer and with lovely camellias in the wintertime. From the stone table near the hedge, the view of Lake Como is amazing: you can see the whole lakeshore from Como to Cernobbio, from Villa d'Este up to Villa Fontanelle in Moltrasio.
Furnished with recovered antique furniture, it provides all the warmth of tradition but also all modern appliances (a hob and an oven, a fridge and a freezer, a washing machine and a dishwasher, an iron...).
A huge perk of the house is the veranda: a large common area for the guests of the two "Casette" apartments (Breva and Tivano).
The veranda is made of stone, wood, and glass, and it opens onto a small courtyard where you can enjoy your meals outside.

EXTRAS
Due to the structure of the house, the apartment is not suitable for small children and pets.
Extra cleaning and linen are available at an additional cost.
Transportation can be provided, please contact us!

ACCESSIBILITY
There is an elevator available for bringing luggage upstairs, but not for everyday use. Please note that you will have to take stairs after the elevator and carry your luggage. There are stairs in the building and on the way to the lakeside.

PARKING
Complimentary parking spaces are available upon request in the parking lot near the external elevator that leads directly to the “Casette".

NEIGHBORHOOD
This apartment is in Blevio – one of the little towns around Como lake. There is a grocery store / gastronomy within walking distance and nice lakeside restaurants and a beach just down the hill.
Situated between Como and Bellagio, Blevio is a great starting point for your travels around the western branch of Lake Como.

HIGHLIGHTS & HOME TRUTHS
>Guests are very happy with everything – the apartment itself, the view, the terrace, and the appliances.
>There are books in various languages, a radio, and turntables with many vinyl records of classical and pop music for the guests' enjoyment.
>No TV in the apartment, but there is Wi-Fi for easy Internet access.
>Some areas are shared with the guests staying in the other apartment of the building.
>Inconvenient access without a car.

GETTING AROUND
For the guests' convenience, we advise them to arrive by car. Como city is a 10-min drive away.
Traveling without a car is a bit more tricky, but not impossible. Buses run between Como and Bellagio (line C30), between Palanzo and Como (C31), and between Piano del Tivano and Como (line C32). The bus stop "Blevio – Piazzetta Monumento Caronti" is located nearby. Tickets can be obtained from the driver (cash only) or in designated places such as in a magazine in via Caronti 40 in Blevio. However, please note that the buses don't run often and services stop at around 8 pm. Taxi rides are available, but not easily attainable in the region.
Alternatively, those who wish to explore the lake, can go on a ferry ride – a local ferry service operates between Blevio and Como, though infrequently – there are only around 4 ferries a day stopping in Blevio. Tickets and timetables are available on the Navigazione Laghi website.
From Como, it is easy to travel to Milan and Switzerland (Lugano, Bellinzona, Locarno) by train. There are also public ferries traveling to other lakeside towns from the pier in Como center.
From Bellagio, it is possible to travel to Menaggio, Cadenabbia, and Varenna with a car ferry. Another ferry line will take pedestrians to midlake towns such as Tremezzo.
The nearest airports are Milano Malpensa, Milano Linate, and Orio Al Serio in Bergamo. It is possible to arrange a direct shuttle to and from the airport at an additional cost.
For more questions regarding transportation, please do not hesitate to contact us, we will be happy to help and ensure that you reach your preferred destination!

TIPS
>We advise you to take a day to visit the marvelous little towns around the lake. Como city is the urban center of the area, but the little towns are gems with glorious lakeside villas.
>To travel and walk around Lake Como, especially in the little towns and in the mountains, comfortable shoes are a must.
>There are quite many public drinking-water fountains in the area, and the water is safe to drink unless stated otherwise. Tap water is also drinkable. You can carry your own refillable bottle!
>From the upper part of the garden, a couple steps will take you to La Strada Regia – a nearby trekking route that connects Brunate (Como) to Bellagio. The whole route can be done in 2 or 3 days, but it is possible to do it in parts and walk from one town to the next, e.g., from Blevio to Torno or Brunate.
>Look for traditional restaurants where you can try local foods such as Lake Como fish dishes.
>In Italy, many shops (especially the little ones) and services are closed in the middle of the day, so be careful to plan your shopping accordingly.
>Lake Como is one of the deepest lakes in Europe and the deepest in Italy. Swimming and diving are prohibited in many areas and can be dangerous. For those who wish to dwell in the water, however, there are some options. In Blevio, there is a small beach for swimming and wakeboarding. In Como city, there is an outdoor pool near Villa Olmo and a lakeside complex near Villa Geno where you can also go for a little swim in the lake. There is a beach bar, a restaurant, and lifeguards for your safety.
Lido di Bellagio and pebbly San Giovanni beach will be waiting for those who wish to travel and explore the beautiful town of Bellagio which lies in the middle of the two Larian branches. Locals and visitors also enjoy traveling to Nesso where the bravest swimmers can jump into the lake from the ancient Roman bridge near the waterfall.
>Lake Como is located in a mountainous region. The surrounding pre-Alps might not seem very high, but the climate is nevertheless affected by the nearby mountains, and temperatures can change quickly. Be particularly attentive to the weather when hiking, and bring some warm and waterproof clothes with you!

EXPERIENCES
There are so many great things to do around Lake Como! We can suggest and help you to arrange the following:

>Private boat rides
>Kayaks/SUPs in the lake
>Flights in a seaplane above the lake
>Yoga and meditation classes
>Wine tastings
>Cooking classes
>Hiking and foraging
>Mountain-bike tours
>Trekking in the mountains
>Guided tours to Milan

For more information, please contact us, and we will be thrilled to advise specific experiences that would suit your taste!

OTHER THINGS TO NOTE
Please note that all guests are required to pay a city tax of 1€ per night per person.
In this property, it is mandatory to separate the garbage. Recycling laws are strict in Italy.