Sunny Villa Chicca is, as the name says, a real treat. Its bright yellow façade and leafy garden call to mind that other Lake Como gem – Villa Balbianello – which forms part of the villa’s panoramic views. Living life ‘al fresco’ is what Italy is all about, and what better place than Villa Chicca’s well-manicured gardens, furnished covered terrace and sweet pebble beach? With the village center of Lezzeno just a stroll away, you’re never far from a great cappuccino, a meal of fresh lake fish or wood-fired pizza and the chance to rub shoulders with the Lake Como locals. And the area’s quaint villages and must-see sights are all within easy reach whether you strike out on your own or take the public boat from the nearby landing.

Villa Chicca has three floors of living space, with each room, terrace and balcony designed to make the most of the stunning views. The ground floor kitchen has a breakfast table and access to the covered terrace for long lazy lake-view meals, while the open-plan living/dining space has ample space and entertainments for families and the added charm of period antiques. Two comfortable queen bedrooms and one twin bedroom are on the second floor along with a family bath featuring a Jacuzzi tub and two step-out balconies. One of Villa Chicca’s most popular ‘treats’ is the third-floor penthouse with its sloped timber-beamed ceilings and Villa Balbianello views. The penthouse sofa pulls out to a queen-sized bed, making this floor into a private suite of sorts with its own shower room and convenient workstation.

And if you are looking to host an event, hire a personal chef or experience the area’s best guides, private boat tours and family-friendly adventures, the destination specialists at IC Bellagio are just a phone call away.