Bernina Express
Episode 3: Bellagio
Shariq Ali
Valueversity
We were now approaching the opposite shore of the lake.
The enchanting views of a charming little town gradually unfolded before our eyes.
Along the waterfront stood a long, perfectly aligned row of trees of the same height and family, laden with blossoms in white, pink, red and purple. Their colourful clusters swayed gently in the soft lake breeze.
Running alongside the trees was a broad promenade, beautifully landscaped with colourful flower beds. Never before in my life had I witnessed spring in such magnificent glory. The entire scene looked as though it had been painted by a master artist.
As our boat drew closer to the shore, the beauty of Bellagio became even more striking.
Finally, the boat eased gently against the pier. Thick ropes were secured to sturdy mooring posts, a gangway was lowered, and the passengers disembarked in an orderly line. We had arrived in Bellagio, one of the most celebrated towns on Lake Como.
Bellagio is often called “The Pearl of Lake Como.” The title reflects not only its remarkable beauty but also its unique geographical setting.
The town occupies the point where the three branches of Lake Como converge, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding mountains from a single location.
For centuries, Bellagio has been a favourite retreat for Europe’s aristocrats, artists and writers.
Its narrow stone-paved streets, flower-filled balconies, lakeside cafés and elegant historic villas still preserve the charm of an Italy where time seems to move at a gentler pace.
Every year, millions of visitors from around the world come here simply to spend a few peaceful hours immersed in the unique atmosphere of this small lakeside town.
As we entered Bellagio’s main shopping street, it was immediately apparent that its charm lay in its simplicity.
Instead of the glitter of Milan’s luxury fashion houses, we found small boutiques, local artisan shops, souvenir stores, cafés and gelato parlours warmly welcoming visitors.
Conversations in many different languages filled the air as travellers from across the globe wandered leisurely through the streets.
Leaving the main square behind, we entered the narrow cobbled lanes that climbed gently up the hillside.
On both sides, flower-filled balconies, vine-covered walls and centuries-old houses gave the town its distinctive character.
Only then did we realise that Bellagio was not merely a tourist destination, but a living community where local families have lived for generations and everyday life continues peacefully amid extraordinary natural beauty.
Since the nineteenth century, Bellagio has attracted writers, poets, painters and musicians from across Europe.
Its tranquil waters, lush green mountains and peaceful surroundings have long inspired creative minds. Time spent here seems to lift one, if only briefly, out of the hurried rhythm of modern life.
Among those captivated by Bellagio was the great nineteenth-century Hungarian composer and pianist Franz Liszt.
One of the most celebrated musicians of his era, Liszt transformed piano performance and composed some of the finest works in classical music. He spent several months in Bellagio, where the serenity and beauty of Lake Como provided fresh inspiration for his creative work.
After strolling around for a while, we began to feel slightly hungry.
From a small gelato shop, we bought freshly made watermelon gelato. Its cool, fragrant and natural flavour was wonderfully refreshing in the warm June sunshine.
Enjoying our gelato and slowly climbing a flight of stone steps, we reached a small and beautiful garden.
Lush green lawns and centuries-old shady trees welcomed us with their cool shelter.
We settled onto a bench beneath the trees.
Before us lay the deep blue waters of Lake Como in all their splendour. The surrounding green mountains reflected silently upon the calm surface of the lake. It was one of those scenes one could gaze at for hours without ever growing tired.
We unpacked the lunch that Mona had thoughtfully prepared at my request that morning before leaving the hotel.
Brown bread sandwiches filled with hummus and chicken wings, layered with mint chutney. For both of us, they were infinitely more satisfying than pizza or pasta.
It truly felt like a royal picnic.
There was everything one could wish for: the cool breeze from the lake, the shade of ancient trees, the sweetness of fresh watermelon gelato, and homemade sandwiches prepared with love.
After lunch, we checked the time.
There were still forty minutes left before our ferry was due to depart.
We decided to spend half an hour walking along the lakeside.
We strolled through scenery that had captivated us from the very first moment.
A long avenue of medium-sized trees stood in full bloom, resembling cherry blossoms with magnificent clusters of flowers.
Large blossoms in white, pink, turquoise and red transformed every tree into a giant bouquet.
A wide two-way promenade ran beneath these flowering trees, where visitors wandered leisurely, took photographs and simply enjoyed the magical surroundings.
Between the two walkways were beautifully arranged flower beds bursting with colour.
The gentle breeze from the lake carried the fragrance of the flowers through the air.
We spent nearly half an hour walking along this delightful path.
For some reason, Mark Twain came to my mind.
The celebrated American author is best known for his novels The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
During his travels in Europe, Twain visited Lake Como and was deeply impressed by its extraordinary beauty. Although there is no historical evidence that he spent an extended period in Bellagio itself, his admiration for this region suggests that the lake captivated travellers just as profoundly a century and a half ago as it does today.
As the departure time approached, we made our way back to our designated meeting point.
Our guide was already waiting, holding aloft her distinctive flag with the hanging teddy bear, making it easy for scattered members of the group to find her.
Gradually, everyone gathered once again, and we formed a queue to await the arrival of our ferry.
To be continued…