Location: Careno, Lake Como, Lombardy, Italy, Europe (15 kilometers Northeast of Como, 1 hour North of Milan)
Accommodations: Apartment, 2 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 1 Bath (Sleeps 4-6)
"La vecchia casa del Prete," (The Old Priest House) is so called because for many years it was the residence of the local priest.
The building was constructed in the early 1600s like a good part of the houses that climb from the lake forming an upside down triangle which characterizes Careno. The origins of the village are dated back to the Roman times when the region was conquered by the Empire.
Famous is the church of San Martin, built by the maestri comacini in 1100 circa. At the entry of the village from the state road is the 16 century parish "dell'Assunta."
Careno is halfway from the cosmopolitan town of Como and Bellagio, known as the pearl of the lake for its beauty, and it is easily accessed by car as well as by the excellent public bus service and also by ferry and water taxi.
From every window of the apartment one has a breathtaking view of the lake and the mountains that surround it. The disposition of the rooms make the house ideal for two couples but it could be comfortable for six adults.
The apartment has split-level floors separated by five steps. The kitchen, bathroom, and a spacious bedroom with two single beds are on the lower floor. The living room and master bedroom are located in the upper part. The living room has sitting chairs, a sleeper sofa, and a table that accommodates six. The original 400 year old floors made of terra-cotta tiles and the thick stone walls gives the house a warm feeling bringing you back in time. Some of the windows are ceiling to floor high and have an iron railing. For this reason and the fact that the village is quite vertical and full of steps and cobbled paths, we discourage bringing children.
During summer a small bar, restaurant is open not too far from the docks (the owner is also the ferry attendant). Careno has one of the few beaches on the lake making swimming and sunbathing a favorite past-time.
Careno is a pedestrian zone; various parking areas are available along the road and a large plaza close to the cemetery is just 50 meters away from one of the entrances into the village. Few steps down will take you to the "Vecchia Casa del Prete."
It is not necessary to have a car: as anticipated, buses come by regularly and the bus-stop is located a couple of minutes from the house; the ferry gives an alternative way to reach the localities on the other side of the lake.
A series of trails will allow the more active vacationers to explore the mountains, part of the Pre-Alps chain, that overlooks Careno.
A number of activities are available on site or nearby, from trekking to mountain biking, horseback riding, tennis, sailing, waterskiing, windsurfing, canoeing, parasailing, aerial sightseeing and tours of the Patrician villas and gardens. Well renowned is Villa Carlotta with its botanical garden, easily approached in just fifteen minutes from Careno by ferryboat.
Many celebrities choose lake Como for their summer house; visible from our house is Villa Oleander, George Clooney residence. In Bellagio, 20 minutes away, visit Villa Melzi, explore the splendid gardens of Villa Serbelloni, once a getaway for European monarchs and now owned by the Rockerfeller Foundation. In Bellagio you can catch the car ferry to the other side of the lake and reach Switzerland in half an hour.
Como, which is famous for its silk industry, is at 15 kilometers of distance. A must see is the museum of Alessandro Volta, inventor of the battery , and the light-house built in his honor that overlooks the city from the locality San Maurizio, connected to Como by a cable car. From San Maurizio it is possible to walk to Careno using one of the many trails previously mentioned. In three hours you could reach Torno, a little town before Careno, where you will find many restaurants and continue home by bus or make it a day long excursion into Bellagio.
Theaters and cinemas are easily found ether by car or walking through Como�s historical district, full of fashion stores. A few kilometers from Como there are a number of outlets: Armani Factory Store and Emporio Lario 1898 among others.
In front of the bus station is the train station Nord which connects Como to Milano in half an hour, plummeting you into one of the most fashionable and vibrant towns in Europe. There is also the National train station, making trips to the rest of Italy and Europe quite simple. The Milan Malpensa airport is served from Como by train in two hours or by a direct bus in one hour.
Bars, grocery stores, pharmacy, bank, and post office are located in Nesso, two kilometres north of Careno. At the "Vecchia Casa del Prete" a variety of information about restaurants, itineraries and schedules are available.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Linens Provided
- Covered Parking
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Twin/Single Bed
- Convertible Bed
- Crib
- Entertainment
- TV (No Cable/Satellite)
- DVD
- Video Library
- CD Player
- Music Library
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- View/Location
- Lake View
- Mountain View
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Not Suitable for Children
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Tennis
- Theme Park (Amusement Park)
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Parasailing
- Swimming
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Horseback Riding
Rate Details (In Euros)
Weekly Rate €450/week + €65 Final Cleaning up to 4 persons (upon arrival)
Dec. Jan. Feb. 550/week Payment due 60 days before arrival via pay-pal
Each additional person +15Euro. Check-in Sat.2:00pm/check-out Sat.10:00am.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Property Photos
- view from the livingroom - Lake Como, Lombardy, Italy Apartment Rental
- - Lake Como, Lombardy, Italy Apartment Rental
- - Lake Como, Lombardy, Italy Apartment Rental
Guest Comments (15)
First (10) of (15). View all comments
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #53741
There have been 31247 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2005.
This listing was first published here in 2005.
Date last modified - June 26, 2009
Positive Rating
Carole and Dennis Mick , Austin, TX
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Shelley Matulick , Australia
Positive Rating
Silvana and Jeff, thank you for the unforgetable time with you on our visit to Italy. We have taken it all in at a fast pace. You both have given us a trip of a life time. Your family and friends were so enjoyable to be with. You are so loved by all that you touch. We could not have experienced all that you have shown us, while we have been here in Italy. Your home is a perfect fit to you lifestyle and flavor. We are so lucky to have had a chance to see the other side of life. Enjoy your tray! See you at Cayo Costa, our other paradise. Love, Sherry and Rick Agnew, Columbus, Indiana USA
Positive Rating
Silvana, thanks for an enjoyable stay at "la casa del prete". THis was what I was looking for! Beautiful setting, lovely views. Wouldnt mind if there was an iron and possibly a washing machine! Trattoria Porta was superb! Antonio was wonderful. Best meal so far in Italy! Would of liked to have met you. Take care, Jill and Frank Boogaard, Ros and luke Marsland- Perth, Western Australia
Positive Rating
Hi Silvana, thanks for a wonderful stay and a memorable 30th birthday! Amazingly peaceful and I enjoyed living the real Italia. Ciao, Lucie
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Thank you so much for sharing your home with us. It was too beautiful for words. Such a wanderful change from Fl. The people were so nice and the lake was pristine. Hope to meet you back home. Love, Kristin
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I can't expess how much of a pleasure it has been staying at your home. This is a wonderous and beautiful place, and I can't thank you enough. I wish you good luck with the rest of the home and much happiness in the future. Sincerely, William McCullagh
Positive Rating
Silvana and Jeff, I expected it to be wanderful and it was above and beyond. The charm of your home and the village expresses what Italy is all about. Every where we're gone the people couldn't be more helpful. Talk about the good life! Between here and the island you have it made girlfriend. Thank you, Rosemary.
Positive Rating
A perfect place to stay- esthetically as well as functionally. (except for the right bed in the first bedroom which have a tendency to disintegrate a few times each night...) Thank you for letting us in here - we also may be back! The Riis family, Copenhagen, Denmark
Positive Rating
What an exquisetly beautiful place. Enchanting, all of it: the apartment, the lake, mountains, people, towns, sunrising, bright night introduced by flashes of lighting and booming thunders makes this a most memorable experience. We would love to return. Katie, John, lilly and Joseph (Beppe) Amodio