Sunday, August 24, 2025

Gardens of Villa Melzi: A Lake Como Treasure

The beautifully appointed gardens of Villa Melzi, Lake Como

I've tried many times to compose this post in my mind but struggled each time. How do you express that you visited the most exquisite gardens in Italy when you know that you cannot do them justice? Known in English as the Villa Melzi Gardens, i Giardini di Villa Melzi d'Eril are located on the shore of Lake Como in Bellagio and feature a neoclassical villa, acres of carefully appointed gardens, and an impressive selection of sculptures.

Looking out across Lake Como from the Gardens of Villa Melzi in Bellagio

Nothing is accidental in this whimsical location. As you enter, you’re handed a pamphlet and encouraged to track down over 60 plants and trees, along with 19 locations filled with sculptures and statues. Join with me as we wander through the gardens together, and I’ll point out some of my favourite sights. I’ll also tell you a little bit more about the history of the villa.

A thick tree trunk at the Gardens of Villa Melzi. In the background we see shrubs, a pond and a couple strolling along

Moorish Pavilion with Sculptures

The Moorish Pavilion with Sculptures at Villa Melzi, Lake Como

As we entered the gardens, we spent some time wandering amongst the trees, admiring the Japanese cedar tree and California redwood, before joining the shore again and heading for the Moorish Pavilion.

Busts of Ferdinand I & Josephine Barbo

Statues of Ferdinand I of Austria & Josephine Melzi d'Eril Barbo in Moorish Pavilion, Villa Melzi

I love the photo above, showing Monti’s bust of Ferdinand I of Austria as he gazes across Lake Como. Or perhaps his gaze falls on Tadini’s bust of Josephine Barbo?

Comolli's Monument to Dante and Beatrice

Comolli's Monument to Dante and Beatrice, Villa Melzi

We visited on a beautiful summer’s day but I couldn’t help but imagine what it must be like to visit the gardens at night.

Looking out from Villa Melzi, past the terrace, to the lake and shore beyond

I imagined fairy lights and violins, prosecco and chatter.

Della Porta’s Statue of Apollo

Della Porta’s Statue of Apollo, Gardens of Villa Melzi

The gardens have a timeless feel and I imagined what it must be like to exist as a statue, looking over the waters of Lake Como.

Comolli’s Lions in the Egyptian Style

Comolli's Lions in the Egyptian Style, Gardens of Villa Melzi

I was most impressed by how stylistically different Comolli’s Lions were to his monument of Dante and Beatrice pictured above, yet both are beautifully realised.

Water-Lily Basin & Fountain

Water Lily basin & fountain, Gardens of Villa Melzi

Della Porta’s Statue of Meleangro

Della Porta’s Statue of Meleangro, Gardens of Villa Melzi

Meanwhile, Della Porta’s statue of Meleager and his hunting dog is similar in style to his statue of Apollo pictured above.

Lake Landing

Lake landing at the Gardens of Villa Melzi, Bellagio

I could have sat in the shade watching this scene for hours.

Old gondola at the Gardens of Villa Melzi, Bellagio

As it was, we took a moment to drink some water and collect our thoughts before moving on.

Apartments overlooking the gardens of Villa Melzi

We admired some of the buildings overlooking the property. If my reading of the map was correct, these are apartments. How marvellous to have such a view!

Bamboo wall at the gardens of villa Melzi

This wall of bamboo inspired me to start my own tiny bamboo section in my garden at home. It’s currently standing at two feet high and nowhere near as impressive as this.

The Villa Melzi

Looking through trees at the old villa Melzi

Having explored much of the gardens, we began to approach the main villa. The villa itself is private but we did get to learn a bit about Francesco Melzi d’Eril, statesman and vice president of the Italian Republic under Napolean.

Looking through trees at the old villa Melzi, with Lake Como in the background

Built in the early 19th century in a refined Neoclassical style, the villa became Melzi's summer residence.

Looking down the side of Villa Melzi towards Lake Como

The gardens were designed to mirror the splendour of Lake Como and complement the peaceful aura of the surrounding mountains.

A lamppost in the shape of a woman, and section of the back entrance to Villa Melzi

Villa Melzi and gardens are privately owned by the Gallarati Scotti family, descendants of the original Melzi lineage through marriage. Lodovico Melzi d’Eril’s daughter Luisa married Giancarlo Gallarati Scotti in the 19th century.

Today, Lodovico’s grandson Prince Fulco Gallarati Scotti takes care of the estate, ensuring that proceeds from visitors are carefully reinvested into maintaining and enhancing this historic gem in Bellagio.

A view of the mountains across Lake Como, seen from the gardens of Villa Melzi

The Museum in the Old Orangerie

Busts located in the old Orangerie at Villa Melzi

Searching for the public conveniences, we found the small museum located in the old Orangerie.

Mural located in the old Orangerie at Villa Melzi

I was quite fascinated by this old mural.

Avenue of trees lining the shore of Lake Como at Villa Melzi

With one last wander along the avenue lining the shore of Lake Como, we began to make our way back to the ferry terminal in time for our ferry back to Lecco.

We loved our visit to Villa Melzi and felt that it was worth every cent of the €10 entrance fee.

Location: Via Lungo Lario Manzoni, 22021 Bellagio, Italy

SHARE:

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

A Saturday in London: Just for One Day: The Live Aid Musical

London Oxford Street on a Summer Day, with Union Flags and Red London Bus

Last Saturday, we planned the quintessential London day. We took a stroll down Oxford Street, had lunch in Soho and spent an afternoon watching Just for One Day: The Live Aid Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

The Tusk Turtle Trail

Myrtle the Hawksbill Turtle, part of the Tusk Turtle Trail in London

It was a lovely day, the perfect day for wandering about, and it was thankfully cooler than it had been earlier in the summer.

We met Myrtle the Hawksbill Turtle outside Tottenham Court Road Station. Designed by Sadie Williams, realised by Toby Williams and hand finished by Ralph Steadman, Myrtle is part of the Tusk Turtle Trail which runs until September. I will definitely need to plan a day out on this trail!

Lunch at Inamo Soho

Real sushi on the left and vegan salmon sushi on the right at Inamo

Our next stop was lunch at Inamo Soho. There are so many good restaurants in London that I don’t often go to the same place twice but Inamo was worth a second visit to sample their vegan ‘salmon’ sushi. It’s been 20 years since I developed an allergy to salmon and I’m delighted to say that this vegan ‘salmon’ tastes just like the real thing. It’s honestly too good to share.

Vegetable tempura at Inamo Soho

We had a great meal at Inamo and received 50% off our bill thanks to the First Table app which my friend Stacey introduced me to. See the comments below to see how it works.

Walking from Soho to the Shaftesbury Theatre

The facade of the Henry Heath Hat Factory

After lunch, we took a leisurely walk from Soho to Shaftesbury Avenue. We passed the former Henry Heath hat factory with its preserved Victorian frontage. The factory closed in 1930 and was redeveloped into eight swanky loft-style apartments in 2012.

The half-timbered hut in Soho Square Gardens

We walked through Soho Square Gardens with its faux-half-timbered hut. The hut was built in 1925 and houses the electricity substation. It was also used as a bomb shelter during the Blitz.

Mirrored Cube by Hannah Nijsten at Outernet London

No visit to Tottenham Court Road is complete these days without stopping in to see Outernet, a free and eye opening visual display of constantly revolving art, live performances and interactive experiences. We saw the Mirrored Cube by Hannah Nijsten which was an incredible piece of optical illusion.

Enchanted Forest: The Melody of Spirits by borabora studios at Outernet London

We also stopped to catch Enchanted Forest: The Melody of Spirits by borabora studios.

Mural by David Speed at Denmark Street London

Moving on, we walked through St Giles Square and spotted this mural. I believe the artist is David Speed.

Just for One Day: The Live Aid Musical

Just for One Day: The Live Aid Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre London

The afternoon was all about seeing Just for One Day: The Live Aid Musical. I’d been wary of seeing the musical – we were taught all about Live Aid and Band Aid as cautionary tales in university, with warnings about how not to do international aid and how funds and resources did not reach their intended targets.

Just for One Day: The Live Aid Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre

The performance itself was fun and energetic, with a lot of great performances of 80s tracks. There was a story to it too, with a young Gen Z school leaver raising exactly the same concerns that I did. 

The music features in the LiveAid Musical

It was good to see how the concert came about and how they raised record amounts of money but it definitely gave us a lot to think about, especially in light of the challenges we are facing today.

Centre Point London on a Summer Day

With daylight to spare on a glorious summer day, we emerged from the theatre and pottered about some more.

SHARE:

Saturday, August 02, 2025

The Bombed-Out Church of St Luke’s, Liverpool

The Truce Statue of two men shaking hands over a football. In the background is the Bombed Out Church of St Lukes, Liverpool

I’ve always wanted to visit the bombed-out Church of St Luke’s in Liverpool but it was pouring with rain every time I went. Added to that, it wasn’t always possible to get inside due to closures or scaffolding. Our time finally came this year when Stephen and I found ourselves with an hour to spare before we met my cousin at Lime Street Station.

SHARE:

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

A Taste of Bellagio: Lunch and a Stroll by Lake Como

Blue sky, stone buildings and a lamppost | Bellagio

It's strange how travel myths can shape our perceptions. I always believed the grand Italian lakes were only for the wealthy and famous, not for someone like me. As it turns out, nothing could be further from the truth. On my third day in Italy, my friend and I travelled to the delightful village of Bellagio, perched at the tip of the promontory dividing the two southern arms of Lake Como.

SHARE:

Sunday, July 13, 2025

A Visit to Gerberoy, the Village of Roses

Looking down a country lane, trees on the right, houses on the left

When planning our trip to France, I quickly realised that the drive from the Eurotunnel terminal in Calais to our hotel in Poissy, just outside Paris, was far longer than I’d expected. I went in search of a charming, photogenic spot for lunch and struck gold with the storybook village of Gerberoy.

SHARE:
© 2008 - Mandy Southgate | Emm in London

This site uses cookies from Google to deliver its services - Click here for information.