The village of Laglio looks small on the map, but that doesn't matter because George and Amal have a house there (Villa Oleandra), so oh well. Although you shouldn't want to go for a glimpse of George, but for the beautiful Laglio itself: the village dates back to Roman times and the name is derived from the Roman general Lallius. A little further north lies Torrigia, part of the municipality of Laglio, and there you will find the beautiful B&B. Cà SpigaThe yellow house stands overlooking Lake Como with an accompanying, unparalleled view. It is exactly the kind of B&B you look for around Lake Como, so booking early is highly recommended: the region attracts large crowds for good reason (and yet it is often quiet and remarkably serene), and the B&B is frequently fully booked.

Brothers Alessandro and Andrea turned their great-grandparents' house on the west shore of Lake Como into a guesthouse out of gratitude. To their family, to the colors of Northern Italy, to the slow pace of life along the lake, without stress, without phones, without online reviews. Well, those last two points are a bit outdated by now, but that *was* once the intention.

Cà Spiga became such a success that the brothers bought the adjacent property and expanded the B&B, which was the first building hotel resulting from Lake Como: a guesthouse spread across multiple buildings. Despite that growth, the atmosphere remained unchanged: the rooms feel like a family home, and the kitchen in particular is so charming with its original furniture: copper pans on the wall, hand-sewn curtains, and shelves filled with cookbooks.

Each room is named after a plant or flower: Camellia, Genziana, Rosmarino, Salvia, Lavanda, Tulipano. Pastel shades on the walls, antique beds, dried flowers in vases, old family photos… We like. The Camelia is soft blue with a deep purple bathroom overlooking the water. Genziana has a geometric floor reminiscent of the 1920s. Nothing is perfect, everything is real.

A day at Cà Spiga begins with an aroma: freshly baked bread (warm brioche) and fresh coffee. Breakfast is served at a long antique wooden table, and on sunny mornings, the scene moves outside and everything on the table comes from family friends. There is aged cheese, air-dried salami, homemade jams, and pastries made according to the great-grandmother's recipes. The family also runs “Bottega da Luciano,” an old-fashioned grocery store offering local specialties, aperitifs, sandwiches, and dishes to take away.

Torrigia and Laglio are ideal bases for exploring Lake Como. Hiking trails lead through centuries-old vineyards, past olive trees and laurel bushes whose leaves were formerly processed into medicinal oil. A classic hike is the climb to the Buco dell'Orso, a mysterious cave in the rock. From the Monte di Torriggia, the view opens up over the entire lake. And then, of course, there is the lake itself: boats glide silently past, connecting the villages and revealing villas, gardens, and the quiet beauty of a landscape that has hardly changed – and is unforgettable for that very reason. Those driving a southern route might consider a detour via Liguria. The hosts of Casa Pernice and Cà Spiga are friends; a stay at both houses offers insight into their respective colorful worlds. On the return journey, a stopover is possible at Lake Garda and in South Tyrol – a few days at L'Angelica Corte Palazzina and/or at Ottmanngut in Merano.

Albergo Diffuso Cà Spiga