Having inspired poetry, served as the backdrop to iconic films and been immortalised in oils and watercolours, Como carries an immediate sense of glamour. Shaped like an upside-down Y, the lake’s three slender branches meet at Bellagio, the elegant heart of the region. Along its shores, pastel villas cling to steep hillsides, their terraced gardens gently tumbling towards the water. The Southern Alps rise in the distance, framing a landscape that feels almost too perfect to be real.

Bellagio – the ‘Pearl of Lake Como’ – is made for slow exploration, with every turn revealing a new perspective: a glimpse of water through an archway, a sudden burst of bougainvillaea, a terrace where hours can pass watching boats skim across the lake.

Just a short journey away, few arrivals feel more theatrical than pulling up to the jetty at Grand Hotel Tremezzo. Set on the western shores of Lake Como, this Art Nouveau palace carries the glamour of a bygone era – its sweeping staircases and grand gilded mirrors giving the sense of stepping into the golden age of travel. Start the day with breakfast on the terrace before heading out on a private Venetian motorboat to glide past historic villas and lakeside gardens that are only visible from the water. Back at the hotel, the afternoon is best spent at the private beach, where a stretch of real sand leads to the property’s famed floating pool, beyond which the lake stretches out like glass, with views of Bellagio directly across the water.

From Bellagio, the road follows the lake’s winding eastern shore, with uninterrupted views of water and mountains unfolding at every turn. It’s a 45-minute drive to Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como, a retreat set within a collection of restored 19th-century villas surrounded by lush gardens. While the property feels secluded, with pathways weaving through the grounds to hidden patios, the lake remains a constant, calming presence at every turn.

Head inside Villa Roccabruna, where the spa offers a quietly immersive escape, treatments draw on both Asian and Italian traditions, and guests move between the underground wet areas, ice baths and Finnish sauna. These international influences continue into the evening, most notably when dining at L’Aria, where an Italian-meets-Japanese menu is served amid the dining room’s marble columns and ornate ceilings.

Outside, the 40-metre floating infinity pool – designed by Herzog & de Meuron and one of the largest of its kind in the world – beckons, but for those inclined to explore further, Mandarin Oriental’s private jetty and speedboat offer an effortless way to continue along the lake, tracing the shoreline at an unhurried pace.

Almost directly opposite, on the western shore, Villa d’Este stands as one of the lake’s most storied addresses. Once an aristocratic residence, it’s opened its doors to princesses, sultans and czars over the centuries. Today, its Renaissance-style interiors and 25-acre parkland promise an equally warm welcome and even a brief visit – perhaps for a long lunch or an evening aperitivo – feels like stepping into another era.

From here, the city of Como at the southwestern tip of the lake offers a different perspective – one that’s more urban, but no less atmospheric. For a shift in perspective, the funicular to Brunate climbs steeply above the city, revealing sweeping views across the lake and surrounding mountains.

While Lake Como often takes centre stage, the surrounding lakes each offer their own distinct character, and a long weekend can easily stretch to include them. To the west lies Lake Maggiore and its Borromean Islands – a stunning archipelago that’s famous for Isola Bella’s opulent 17th-century palazzo and the exotic botanical gardens of Isola Madre.

Closer to the Swiss border, Lake Lugano presents a striking blend of Italian charm and alpine drama, with mountains plunging directly into the water. Then there’s Lake Orta, smaller, quieter and often overlooked, but perhaps the most romantic of all. Visiting the island of Isola San Giulio makes for a magical afternoon escape. With its medieval basilica, Benedictine monastery and lakeside piazza, it feels almost suspended in time.

With Milan serving as the gateway to the Italian Lakes, the region has become an increasingly seamless European escape, particularly following the integration of ITA Airways into the evolving Miles & More network. On arrival in Northern Italy, the city’s energy quickly gives way to Lake Como’s more serene rhythm of life. In many ways, a long weekend in the Italian Lakes is all about atmosphere. It is not about ticking off landmarks, but about inhabiting a mood – one defined by light, water and a quiet sense of timeless elegance.

For travellers considering ASMALLWORLD’s current Prestige Membership offer with Miles & More, that sense of ease can begin long before reaching the lakeshore. The offer includes an incredible 300,000 Miles & More award miles, including 50,000 more than usual, creating more ways to access award flights and eligible upgrades across Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, ITA Airways, United and the wider Star Alliance network. Prestige Membership also brings elite statuses and privileges with leading travel brands, including GHA, Hilton and Jumeirah, adding recognition and benefits throughout the journey, from airport check-in to hotel check-out.

With a combined value of over €20,000, the membership package helps bring a Northern Italian escape closer, while adding a sense of ease and privilege to every stage of the journey… and making it all a little harder to leave behind.

For travellers considering ASMALLWORLD’s current Miles & More membership opportunity, the Italian Lakes are close enough for a long weekend, yet other-worldly enough to feel like a true escape.