“2017: couldn’t afford ketchup. 2026: Lake Como. Same woman. Very different story.” That is the line I wrote on my Reel this year, and honestly, it still makes me smile every time I read it.
I have been to Lake Como twice now. The first time was in April 2023. The second time was in May 2026. Same lake, same mountains, same blue water. But the woman standing by that water was not quite the same. So this post is a little bit of both: my “then and now” story, and a simple, practical guide for your own Lake Como trip.
Where my story starts: 2017
In 2017 I moved to the Netherlands on a dependent visa. I had no job, no network and no Dutch. I had to rebuild my career from scratch, one small step at a time. If you have moved abroad for a partner, you might know that feeling of losing a bit of yourself along the way. I wrote more about that in moving abroad for your partner and finding your identity again.
Today I have visited more than 40 countries. I don’t say that to show off. I say it because if someone had told the 2017 version of me, I would not have believed them.
My first Lake Como trip: April 2023
My first Lake Como trip was in April 2023, and I was amazed by how beautiful it was. Pictures don’t really prepare you for it. The lake, the mountains around it, the colourful houses along the water. It all looks like a painting.
And of course, I did what I do best. I danced to “Dilbar” by the lake for a fun Reel 😄 Some people bring a camera for landscapes. I bring a camera for Bollywood moments.
Bellagio, the pearl of Lake Como
On that trip I visited Bellagio, and I fell in love with it. The charming streets, the elegant villas, the peaceful gardens. I called it the pearl of Lake Como, and I still think that is the perfect name for it.
Bellagio sits on the point where the three branches of the lake meet, so you get water views in almost every direction. If you like slow walks with no real plan, this is your place. Just wander up and down the little lanes and stop wherever something catches your eye.
Watch the Reel
A walk through Bellagio
Come with me through the charming streets of the pearl of Lake Como.
Villa del Balbianello: my favourite villa
If you ask me for one place to see on Lake Como, my answer is Villa del Balbianello.
The villa sits at the tip of a small wooded peninsula near Lenno, on the western shore of the lake. Its history goes back a long way. There was a Franciscan monastery on that spot from the 13th century, and in the late 1700s Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini turned it into a summer villa. Its last private owner was the explorer Guido Monzino, who left it to FAI, the Italian National Trust, in 1988. You might also recognise it from films like Star Wars: Episode II and Casino Royale.
But for me, the real reason it is special is this: Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh got married here in November 2018. As an Indian girl, standing in the place where one of the biggest Bollywood weddings happened felt really special.
If you plan to visit, opening days, times and tickets change by season, so please check the official FAI page for Villa del Balbianello before you go.
Back again: May 2026
In May 2026 I came back to Lake Como, and this time Milan was part of the trip too. I sat with an espresso at a lakeside villa, looking out at the water. And I started thinking about everything that had changed.
For years, I tried so hard to fit in. A new country, a new language, a new industry. I wanted to blend in everywhere. But somewhere between 2017 and that espresso, I learned something important. I was not supposed to fit in. I was supposed to stand out.
That is what this trip meant to me. Not the view (even though the view is amazing). It was the quiet feeling of looking back and seeing how far I had come.
Watch the Reel
2017 vs 2026
Same woman. Very different story. My Lake Como then and now.
How to plan your own Lake Como trip
Okay, now the practical part. Here is what I would tell a friend who is planning a Lake Como trip.
When to go
My two trips were in April and May. Spring is a beautiful season for gardens and villas, and many villas and ferries run on a seasonal schedule, so the warmer months are easier to plan around. Summer is popular and can get busy. If you go outside the main season, just check what is open before you travel.
Getting there
Most people arrive through Milan. From there, you can take a train or drive up to the lake. Combining Milan and Lake Como in one trip works really well, which is what I did in 2026. Train times and routes change, so check the official rail websites when you plan.
Getting around the lake
The easiest and prettiest way to move around is by ferry. Boats connect the main towns, and the ride itself is part of the fun. The views from the water are something special. Schedules depend on the season, so check the official ferry timetable before your day out.
Choosing your base
Lake Como is shaped like an upside-down Y, with Bellagio in the middle where the branches meet. Where you stay really shapes your trip, so think about what you want:
- Easy ferry connections: stay in or near one of the central lake towns, so you can hop between villages without long journeys.
- Arriving by train from Milan: a base with a train station nearby makes arriving and leaving simple.
- A quiet, slow trip: a smaller village gives you calm evenings by the water.
- Short on time: stay close to the places you most want to see, so you spend less time travelling and more time enjoying.
What to pack
You will walk a lot, and many lanes have steps and cobblestones, so comfortable shoes are a must. Bring a light layer for the boat, because it can feel cooler on the water. If you like travelling light, my carry-on packing list works for a lake weekend too.
My simple tips
- Start early if you want quieter streets and photos without crowds.
- Don’t try to see every village in one day. Pick two or three and enjoy them slowly.
- Sit down for a coffee by the water at least once. My 2026 reflection started with a lakeside espresso.
- If you work full time like many of us, a long weekend is enough to fall in love with the lake. I shared how I plan trips around work in how to travel with a full-time job.
Plan details like ferry timetables, opening times and tickets change, so always check the official websites before you go.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for a Lake Como trip?
A long weekend of two or three days is enough to see a few towns, ride the ferries and visit a villa. If you have more time, you can slow down and explore more of the smaller villages.
Is Bellagio worth visiting?
Yes! For me, Bellagio is the pearl of Lake Como. It has charming streets, elegant villas and peaceful gardens, and it sits right in the middle of the lake, so it is easy to reach by ferry.
Where did Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh get married?
They got married at Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como in November 2018. The villa is near Lenno, on the western shore, and is looked after by FAI. Check the official FAI page for visiting details.
Can you combine Milan and Lake Como in one trip?
Yes, and I really recommend it. Milan is the most common gateway to the lake, so it is easy to spend a few days in the city and a few days by the water.
Same lake, different me
When I look at my two Lake Como trips side by side, the lake didn’t change much. I did. In 2023 I was dancing to “Dilbar” and amazed by the beauty. In 2026 I was sitting with an espresso, thinking about the girl who arrived in the Netherlands in 2017 with no job, no network and no Dutch. Both versions of me loved this lake. Only one of them finally stopped trying to fit in.
Have you been to Lake Como, or is it on your list? Tell me in the comments 👇
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