Bellagio, Italia

Not just a casino and hotel in Las Vegas, Bellagio is one of the most adored cities in Italy. Situated on the well-known Lake Como, it's the perfect spot for a day or week-long getaway. Though it's a small town with seemingly little to offer, it's array of shops, cafes, alleyways, and lake views will keep you more than entertained. It takes about an hour to get to Bellagio by ferry from Como. Most people can take a train into Como, which is a much larger city, and then take the ferry to all of the cities that sit on the lake. Bellagio is probably the one with the most tourists because there are so many enjoyable things to do there.

My mom and I stayed in the cutest and most functional apartment in Bellagio. It was in a great location with air conditioning! A huge plus when staying in Europe during the Summer! We took a hike to an old villa with hilltop gardens that allowed us to overlook the lake and take some great photos, ate the most amazing desserts, bought classic Italian clothes and accessories, and enjoyed lakeside walks on a daily basis.

The Trattoria San Giacomo was probably our favorite dining spot in Bellagio. Every course we ordered was delicious from beginning to end--the tiramisu was my personal favorite. And their wine. To die for! It was the first time I had ever had Moscato D'Asti - Beve, and I could have drank an entire bottle. No, I'm not an alcoholic. As a matter of fact, I don't even typically like wine, but I went around to three wine shops in Bellagio looking for this exact wine to enjoy. :)

 There are lots and lots of steps throughout Bellagio. The town is known for that and most alleys are comprised of them.

Atop the mountain from the gardens of a villa.

 Lake Como. :)

 A shell bracelet I bought that day and delicious desserts at the Baita Belvedere. This is a restaurant at the very very top of the city. The restaurant will send a driver down into town to pick you up and take you to and from the restaurant. It's a long ride up through switchbacks and rocky roads but definitely a cool experience and totally worth it. The food was delicious and actually very cheap! Win win.

For dessert, we ordered Panna Cotta with caramel sauce (on the right) and a Zambione (on the left). The Zambione has yogurt, fresh berries, and cream and the Panna Cotta translates to cooked cream. It's a creamy texture, but sweet, and refreshingly light.

Baita Belvedere also has a machine where you can buy fresh yogurt and milk that they produce fresh every day!

The lake view from the restaurant right before sunset.

We went to Menagio, another city along the lake to visit a famous villa. There are lots of villas on the lake, many of which have been used for filming famous movies, including one of the James Bond movies.

 A bamboo garden at the villa we saw.