Como

Como sits at the southern tip of the lake, ringed by mountains; it was a Roman town and later a centre of the silk trade. Its cathedral, built between 1396 and 1770, blends Gothic and Renaissance in white marble. By the water, the Tempio Voltiano honours physicist Alessandro Volta, who was born here.

From the lakefront, a funicular running since 1894 climbs in a few minutes to the village of Brunate, over 700 metres up, with views across lake and town. The walk along the shore to Villa Olmo is the other classic outing.