Como

The long flight left me groggy, and my early morning arrival meant I’d find no quick respite in a nap at my hotel. But Como has proven a rather idyllic place to quietly pass the time in a jet lag haze.

I knew there would be beautiful lake views and ample espresso, but I’ve been delighted to find the town of Como itself is quite pretty and perfect for mindless wandering about cobblestone streets. There’s the impressive duomo, of course, but there’s many more surprises to be found. The narrow walkways invariably open up to large squares filled with outdoor cafes. The buildings are painted in the tasteful oranges and yellows you’d expect of an Italian village. And in front of them, an old bicycle always seems strategically placed to add the appropriate dash of romance.