If you are planning a trip for a special occasion, or, if like me you believe every holiday is a special occasion, then I would certainly recommend Club Europe with British Airways. Terminal 5 is a breeze to travel through and offers two lounges, both offering comfortable seating, a selection of spirits and wines and a fantastic choice of hot and cold food. Once on board, the service is immaculate - with a glass of champagne in hand your holiday will get off to a flying start.
My destination for the weekend was Lake Como. I arrived into Malpensa airport after a short and comfortable flight from London and was then transported to the wonderful Grand Hotel Tremezzo. This hotel offers everything you would expect from a luxury 5* resort. With a newly renovated spa and over 20,000 square meters of private grounds, there is something for everyone. For our first night we opted to dine at L’Escale Fondue, an informal fondue restaurant which worked well for usafter arriving at the hotel on the evening flight. The food is paired with local wines and the service is fantastic - a great option for a quick supper.
The following morning, the sun was out, and waking up to the view of the lake is quite a treat, setting the mood for a day of exploring. We boarded the hotel’s private wooden boat to take us to the Villa del Balbianello. Set in beautiful gardens the Villa is dedicated to the private collections of Guido Monzino, an Italian businessman and explorer. Sr. Monzino had quite a life: after inheriting a supermarket empire, he never had to work again and used his life to travel. The collections on show are based on his journeys and the secret tunnels and quirky artwork represent the eccentric lifestyle he led. The Villa also has amazing gardens and although I would recommend reaching the villa by boat, due to the fact that it is set on the highest point of the peninsula it can also be accessed by road - those without sea legs (or ‘lake legs’ in this case) need not miss out…
Returning to the hotel there are many places to eat, but I enjoyed a light lunch at ‘T Pizza’ located in the hotel gardens overlooking the pool. This is more than just a snack bar, all the pizzas are cooked in the wood-fired oven and can be accompanied by a cocktail or two. If you prefer lunch with a lake view then the the less formal ‘T beach bar’ would be the option for you. Situated on the lake, next to the floating pool, this is the place to be seen on a summer afternoon.
Another restaurant not to be missed is the fine dining ‘La Terrazza.’ After whetting our appetites with an aperitivo or two we sat down for our evening meal just as a magnificent thunder storm appeared. It was actually a highlight of the trip for me, enjoying locally caught seafood whilst lightning bounced off the water right in front of my eyes.
The following day, before our flight home, the hotel concierge offered us complimentary tickets to the Villa Carlotta. Located a short walk from the hotel this is an oasis of calm. Fish ponds, fountains, and a wide selection of flowers and citrus fruits - the gardens are well worth a visit. A leisurely stroll was the perfect way to unwind on a Sunday afternoon before our flight back to London.
