GEORGE CLOONEY helped put Lake Como on the map when he bought a villa there in 2002. Since then, the world’s rich and famous – including MADONNA, RICHARD BRANSON, JULIA ROBERTS, EMILY BLUNT, BRAD PITT and the odd Russian billionaire – have either bought homes or holidayed lavishly by Italy’s most popular vacation lake.
It’s pretty easy to see why they love it: from its picturesque mountains and hillsides to the watersports, dining scene, high-end shopping, historic villas, festivals and fun, Lago Di Como is like stepping into a glam episode of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.
Yet you don’t need to be George Clooney or his ilk to lap up the luxury of this eminently Instagrammable destination, an hour from Milan. Nor do you need to take out…