For Massimo Nava, Lake Como is the one place where sadness seems impossible. The journalist and authorhasbeen returning here since his student days in Milan, drawn first by curiosity, then by something deeper. Over time, the lake became more than a destination; it became a rhythm, a refuge, and a lasting source of beauty.

At Assouline, the culture of a place is never defined by geography alone, but by the rituals that give it life. In this ongoing series, we turn to the voices behind our books to reveal the personal landscapes that continue to inspire them.This is Nava's Como: grand, contemplative, and entirely his own.

When I want a dose of culture in Lake Como, I visit: First and foremost, Villa d’Este, the lake’s oldest grand hotel. Since the time of Napoleon, it has welcomed writers, nobles, politicians, and silk-industry magnates, its walls absorbing centuries of stories. The city of Como itself is equally essential, if only to discover that electricity was effectively born there thanks to Alessandro Volta. Be sure to visit the monument dedicated to him, designed by Daniel Libeskind. 

My first memory of Lake Como is: As a student, I would take day trips from Milan by motorbike or bicycle to Cernobbio, then ride the funicular up to Brunate, a true balcony overlooking the lake. 

The one place every visitor must go to is: It is difficult to choose, but the public villas are extraordinary: Villa Balbianello, Villa Olmo, and Villa Carlotta, each home to magnificent gardens and remarkable art collections. A walk through the village of Tremezzina is equally unforgettable. 

One of my favorite nearby towns to spend the day is: Bellagio, of course. Positioned perfectly between the two arms of the lake, it offers some of the most beautiful sunsets imaginable. 

The meal I cannot leave Lake Como without is: More than a specific dish, I always return to the simplicity of Lombard cuisine, especially a perfectly made saffron risotto. And when it comes to where to eat, choose either the elegance of a grand hotel restaurant or a small trattoria set directly along the water’s edge. 

My favorite hotel in Lake Como is: Grand Hotel Tremezzo, where every detail feels flawless. 

One of my favorite restaurants in Lake Como is: The terrace at Grand Hotel Tremezzo, and Il Glicine in Cernobbio. 

If you are visiting Lake Como for the first time, be sure to stop by: Take a ferry from Como and spend the day moving slowly across the lake, stopping in Bellagio along the way. That alone is enough to understand its beauty. 

One of my favorite museums in Lake Como is: Do not miss the collections at Villa Balbianello and Villa Carlotta. 

I like to go shopping in: Como has all the great luxury labels, but for silk and textiles, head into the smaller villages like Bellagio or Menaggio, where you can still discover local craftsmanship and production. 

Describe Lake Como in three words: Romantic, contemplative, timeless. It is the one place where it feels impossible to be sad, even when alone. 

 
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The Hospitality Collection Passalacqua: A Love Letter to Lake Como
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