My family of 4 adults will be staying in Varenna for 3 days this summer (July 10, 11, 12, departing 13th). It's our first time to Lake Como.
I love beautiful gardens (think explosions of colorful flowers and dramatic views) but we'll just have time for 2 gardens. Which 2 do you think are the most beautiful? I don't care for looking inside the villas, unless the views from the villas or their terraces are really impressive. Other than gardens, we love walking around pretty villages & along the lake, and eating out at moderately priced restaurants/cafes with good food. So, if you know any good eateries which are worthy of their prices, please let me know. We are also planning to rent a boat for a few hours on our own. Anything else that was a must see/experience on your trips???
We loved Villa Carlotta, the azaleas were spectacular, but just visited in April, so obviously the flowers will be different in July. The website is worth a look because it explains what you'll see according to the time of year. this was our day there: https://slowtravelitalyspain.blogspot.com/2024/04/a-day-out-at-villa-carlotta-lake-como.html
Spectacular gardens and view, and actually the house tour is interesting. Enjoy the beautiful area. Safe travels!