Villa Molvedo

The villa

Breathtaking in both size and beauty, Villa Molvedo is a stunning mid - 19th - century property that has a commanding presence within extensive grounds in San Siro on Lake Como. The villa boasts spectacular views over both the lake and the surrounding mountains. Lake Como is only a short walk away, with calm waters for swimming, sailing, waterskiing and windsurfing.

Villa Molvedo is the epitome of historic elegance, with an interior that has been carefully restored to retain the original features and feel of the past. These traditional features include mosaic floors and beautiful wooden balustrades on the majestic staircases that connect the four floors.

Enter the villa into a grand foyer that will make you feel as if you’ve gone back in time. There’s classic art and fine statues everywhere you look, with this elegant theme continued into the living room. It’s a large space that’s ideal for both quiet reflection and socialising, with an impressive fireplace and plenty of comfortable seating. The formal dining room is for meals with atmosphere under the light of the exquisite chandelier. Children will love the spacious playroom with a table tennis table and table football. Also on the ground floor is a double en - suite bedroom that’s ideally designed for guests with restricted mobility.

Over the further three floors are another eight air - conditioned double bedrooms with en - suite bathrooms. All are large, bright and furnished with the very highest attention to detail and style. Three of the ensuite bathrooms also feature Jacuzzi - style bathtubs for ultimate relaxation. Also offering you the chance to unwind is a games room with billiards table and clear lake views from its numerous large windows.

A separate Annexe a few metres from the villa can accommodate an additional two guests with a simply styled double bedroom and bathroom. Also sharing the huge private gardens is a swimming pool that’s heated in the summer and a tennis court. Dotted around the immaculate lawns are established sequoia, palm, oak and cedar trees, adding to Villa Molvedo’s grand status.

With Lake Como practically on the doorstep (a private dock is at guests' disposal), you can be trying all the area’s typical watersports in minutes. Across the region you can swim, go windsurfing, waterskiing or sailing. Hiking and horse riding through the hills and countryside is popular too, with a large golf course on offer in nearby Menaggio.

Villa Molvedo sits in part of the San Siro area of Lake Como and benefits from being close to a range of activities. Just five minutes away on foot are amenities such as a post office, supermarket, pharmacy and a bank. Even closer, just across the road in front of the villa, is the idyllic Lake Como itself, with plenty of ways to enjoy the water. As well as swimming, you can try windsurfing, sailing and waterskiing nearby. Hiking trails also start from the shore and head up into the lush hills and further down the coast.

Also just a few minutes’ walk from the villa along the lake - side road is a beautiful 14th - century church. More historic sightseeing can be done in the heart of Rezzonica, just a short drive away, with a 13th - century castle that overlooks the town. This former fishing village is very picturesque and is characterised by brightly - coloured houses and cobbled steps on winding streets.

The town of Menaggio (6km) is less than a 15 - minute drive south of the villa. Here you’ll find a ruined castle with walls you can walk along for lovely lake views. There’s also a Lido with a sandy beach, swimming pools, volleyball and activities for children. You can take a ferry ride from here to another historical town, Varenna, which sits on the other side of Lake Como.

Make the journey to Griante (12km) and then catch the ferry to Bellagio. It’s widely considered to be one of the most beautiful towns in Europe and boasts a gorgeous garden to stroll around at Villa Serbelloni Park. Also be sure to visit Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo (13km) with its botanical garden and extensive art collection inside the villa that’s now a museum.