Just Back From…Lake Como, Italy
Trip Duration: 4 Days, 4 Nights
Flight Plan: I flew direct from New York to Milan and then we took a car service to Lake Como, which is about a two hour drive. For the plane, my Marc Jacobs knit pants and White and Warren cashmere travel wrap are essential, along with Avene Thermal Water, Pixi Rose face wipes to feel refreshed and Chanel face moisturizer and saline spray for my nose to keep me from getting sick. I flew Economy this trip, but lucked out with a three seater to myself and an iPad with Closer and The Way We Were downloaded.
Where I Stayed: The Grand Hotel Tremezzo–a magical place with a long history and a newly remodeled spa.
Best Thing I Ate: Lunch at La Locanda dell'isola on Comacina Island includes a charming owner in a striped knitted cap who serves every imaginable vegetable perfectly prepared, followed by local grilled fish, the crispiest, most delicious chicken I've ever eaten and ice cream with fresh blood oranges—all finished with a ritual featuring coffee, brandy and fire that wards off curses associated with the island. All in all, it was a fantastic experience at a famous little enclave of the Lake.
Best Hang Out Spot: While Spring in Lake Como is warm, it can be breezy on the water. Any downtime was spent at the pool behind the hotel, complete with its own duck in residence. I could spend hours back there...next time I'll hit up the clay tennis court, too.
Best Daytime Activity: Hopping on a boat! The Grand Tremezzo has a wooden boat and a driver that will take you to an enchanting place called Villa del Balbianello, best known as a set location for Casino Royale and Star Wars. The 12th century manor was last owned by an explorer named Guido Monzino, the leader of the first Italian expedition to climb Mount Everest—the guy liked to smoke and drink, but he did it in one fairytale of a location.
Best Night Out: Prosecco and a copy of The Fates and the Furies on my balcony of Suite Greta overlooking the lake sounds like a great night to me.
Trip Highlight: The newly remodeled spa at The Grand Hotel Tremezzo includes a beautiful new Hammam created from some of the most beautiful marble I've ever seen. I also dug the rain shower that you can use to cool off after heating up in the Mediterranean room.
Could not Leave Home Without: My Marysia red bikini, Equipment plaid shirt dress, Loeffler Randall lace up platforms, my Johanna Ortiz off the shoulder top and sunscreen!
From left: Equipment silk shirt dress, $274.80, equipmentfr.com; Joanna Ortiz off-shoulder top, $500, modaoperandi.com; La Roche Posay sunscreen, $36, net-a-porter.com; Loeffler Randall "Ines" lace-up platform sandal, $395, loefflerrandall.com; Marysia Santa Barbara bikini top and bottom in red, $142 and $143, revolve.com.
Most Inspiring Aspect: The light off the lake and the sweeping views of the Alps in the background truly makes you feel like you're dreaming—it's magical in a way that feels like you're healing your soul.
I wish I had...ventured into other towns. If I had more time, I heard from reliable sources that Piedmonte has some nice spots and Osteria Della Brughiera in Bergamo is meant to be fantastic.
Favorite Shopping Trip: A ferry ride to Bellagio brings you to the area with the best shopping—complete with local crafts. I left with wooden salad spoons that I'll keep forever.
Why Lake Como? I think of myself as a sea girl and I love the Amalfi coast, but the whole vibe of Lake Como offers something completely different—there's a serenity and calmness that I haven't felt anywhere else. I'd love to go back and I think early spring (before high season) was the perfect time.
Kerry Pieri is Harper's Bazaar's Digital Fashion/Features Director. Kerry oversees the fashion vertical for BAZAAR.com, including launching digital covers, styling celebrity features, and managing recurring features including Brand Watch and My Life in Three Looks. In addition, Kerry edits the “best of” each season, from shoes to bags, denim and coats, and is consistently looking for shifts in the fashion realm to lend a voice. Kerry formerly served as the Editorial Director of StyleCaster.com and as a producer at Full Frontal Fashion. She lives in New York with her husband Steve, and baby girl Lila Sky.
