LAKE COMO IN THE WORLD
Lake Como in the world, the world on Lake Como. In any language, that closed ‘o’ in its name often opens into an exclamation of wonder, compliment and gratitude. The internationality of these shores is both universal fame and capillary presence, a continuous exchange, born and maintained over the centuries, escaped and, indeed, erupted after the pandemic. Almost 6 million stays in the two provinces in 2023 alone. For the last two years Lecco has exceeded one million and Como has done the rest, beating any other destination in Lombardy in terms of foreign preferences, even over 85% of the total. Lake Como is ’ among the ‘superstars’ of international attractiveness‘* attracting the traditional and annual flows from northern Europe, the ever more enamoured Americans, but also the ever more frequent travellers from the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Calamitous is the possibility of finding enchanting landscapes, with the colours of the water and the mountains, combined with an accommodation offer that spreads in the corners of villages and in the luxury of villas and hotels. But Lake Como’s attraction has always also been centrifugal. In all sectors – manufacturing, industrial, cultural, recreational – there are many examples of companies, people and styles that have taken and continue to take this part of Italy around the world. On the occasion of the 10th issue of our magazine, which was created to recount this international movement in both directions, we would like to give you just a few examples of the Larian excellences that make themselves known at home and around the world.
* Barbara Mazzali, Councillor for Tourism, Fashion and Territorial Marketing of the Lombardy Region.
HOSPITALITY
R COLLECTION HOTELS. Lake Como has always been a destination for noble families and the wealthy bourgeoisie, elite tourism, especially English, which has characterised since the 18th century not only the architectural profile but also transport, pastimes and trade. There are countless private villas and grand hotels that, handed down and transformed, still remain the jewel in the crown of Larian receptivity. Among these stand the regal and majestic R Collection hotels: the 5-star luxury Grand Hotel Victoria in Menaggio, the 4-star Hotel Royal Victoria and Villa Cipressi in Varenna, which will be joined next year by the equally grand and beautiful Regina Olga in Cernobbio. All distinguished by an imposing multi-storey central body, originating from the masterly renovation of ancient patrician residences, where the suites and rooms with 180° views of the lake are naturally concentrated, they extend their charm into flourishing gardens (the Botanical Garden of Villa Cipressi gathers an incredible biodiversity that is also open to the public), open-air wellness areas (the Victoria Beach Club has just opened in Menaggio with 3 swimming pools, private beach, exclusive sunbeds and gazebos, bar and restaurant), spa environments of a thousand colours and temperatures (the Erre Spa, also in Menaggio, covers 1,200 square metres, the largest of its kind on Lake Como), gourmet proposals for all palates. There are many prestigious references in the names and history: Queen Victoria of England stayed in Varenna in 1838, while in Menaggio the leitmotif is the homage to the immortal writer Alessandro Manzoni with the Tunnel of the Betrothed connecting the historic villa with the newly built palace, the 1827 Restaurant (the year of the first edition of his masterpiece), and the Renzo and Lucia rooms. The refinement of the offer and the location (the backdrop of wisteria on Bellagio is enough to fall in love with Villa Cipressi) inevitably bring the R Collection Hotels and many other accommodation facilities on Lake Como to the top of the international ratings charts.
STYLE
SARTORIA OREFICE. Italian fashion is distinguished worldwide for its craftsmanship and creativity. In Cernobbio, Sartoria Orefice offers a unique experience that goes beyond the simple creation of made-to-measure clothes. Since 1856, this tailor’s shop has been handcrafting formal, evening, formal and informal suits, especially for men, following the rules of timeless etiquette and elegance. The real charm, however, lies in the history and anecdotes that accompany each visit. Discovering the workshop, seeing the historical garments and understanding the stages of creation allows customers to immerse themselves in a journey into the past and, at the same time, imagine their own future style. It is the emotion aroused by this history that really motivates customers to choose a made-to-measure suit. Cleto, with the help of his sister Silvia, continues to enrich this tradition with the search for technically advanced fabrics and a line of accessories that recounts almost 170 years of innovation. Every detail, such as the collection of buttons from 1900 to 1960, is designed to confer uniqueness and prestige. Some of these historical buttons have been purchased and applied on the made-to-measure jackets of customers who appreciate the exclusivity, the history behind each garment; arousing curiosity, admiration and appreciation, making them proud of their choice. A made-to-measure suit means just this: status symbol par excellence, it is capable of flaunting class and charisma, at the same time giving the wearer an exterior and interior security given by the extreme personalisation that eliminates any defect and enhances the ease of feeling good about oneself. Sartoria Orefice does not just sell clothes, but offers a path to discovering one’s own style and appreciating craftsmanship excellence. Each suit is the result of a customised process, including bespoke, made-to-measure and ready-to-wear options. The boutique in the centre of Cernobbio is the starting point of this journey. Customers find security and dynamism in the garments made for them, which accompany them in their daily success. Sartoria Orefice wanted to make this rich heritage accessible through ‘Cernobbio on Bespoke’. The workshop, the historic garments and the stages of creation are shown to visitors, who can have their measurements taken and dream up their own elegant Italian suit. The link with Lake Como is essential: the project highlights the history and the natural and architectural beauty of Lake Como within which the tailor’s shop grew up and continues to profoundly influence it, inspiring it to create clothes that reflect its elegance and tradition. Each customer has the opportunity to be part of this tradition and to create something truly personal and meaningful.
FOOD WINE
ICAM. If we told you that Lake Como exports chocolate to the world, you would probably think we had got the geolocation wrong, if only slightly. But no, we are not talking about Swiss chocolate, but that of ICAM, a leading company in the sector with its origins in Morbegno in Valtellina, development in Lecco and today in Orsenigo with a site boasting the most advanced processes and a philosophy based on sustainability and fair trade. Still inspired by the resourcefulness of its founders Silvio Agostoni and Carolina Vanini, for over 75 years ICAM has followed the entire cocoa transformation process, carefully selecting cocoa in the countries of origin where it has a direct relationship with the producers, supported, trained and guaranteed by the ICAM Code of Ethics (the company is for example present in Uganda with ICAM Chocolate Uganda ltd. where it produces BIO-certified deep-sea cocoa). The processing in Italy takes place in the Orsenigo plant, with machinery that allows a very high yield and quality, also respecting the environment (ICAM’s first Sustainability Report dates back to 2018 and is renewed every year with very high percentages in certifications, corporate welfare, innovative agronomic practices). A chocolate dedicated to gourmets and connoisseurs of high quality chocolate, with the premium brand Vanini (ever tried the Blue Rose praline? ), the Agostoni professional line for the creations of master pastry chefs and ice cream makers (in 2018 Choco Cube, a high-level training centre for professionals, will also be created), tailor-made supplies for other local and foreign confectionery industries, and a selection of ICAM products made in licensing with different brands, including the main Serie A football teams (including Easter eggs and Epiphany stockings): a turnover of more than 200 million euros in 2023 split between the Italian market (44%) and the foreign market (56%), proof at the same time of rootedness and far-sightedness.
RIVO GIN. Travelling around Germany, Spain, England and then finding, at home, on Lake Como, the perfect ingredients (and a mother) for a gin for connoisseurs. This is the story and the intuition of Marco Rivolta who, a few years ago, thanks to the botanical passion of his mother Gianna, found with her the recipe for one of the most classic distillates in which, to the indispensable juniper, he added 11 aromatic herbs, some of which he patiently and skilfully gathered exclusively in the mountains and meadows of Lake Como. A skilful balance that, on the one hand, guarantees a limited, high-quality production and, on the other, has already won many bars and restaurants in the area, as well as international awards and a slice of the foreign market. Knowledge of the timing and aromas of nature has also allowed the creation of RIVO Sloe Gin, where the berries are those of the blackthorn and the processing is even more studied and expected, between autumn and winter. Thyme serpyllium, lemon balm, savory and pimpinella are just some of the botanicals that characterise the scent of RIVO Gin, unmistakable also as brand and packaging: the geometric shapes of the logo evoke the mountains of Lake Como, but in Marco’s mind also mystical symbols, a tribute to the witches of Lake Como once accused for their aromatic concoctions that today would be defined as simply magical. A story from Como for a pleasure that spreads all over the world.
LAKE MOUNTAINS
LARIAN NAUTICS. You cannot talk about the lake without talking about water and boats, even more so in a basin where the steep banks have always made it difficult to build roads. Boating excellence on Lake Como has so many origins, dynasties and developments that we wanted to start from a shipyard that has now disappeared, with a curious history and through which many of today’s talented shipwrights passed: we are talking about the Cantieri Taroni, which at the end of the 18th century, after centuries of armed raids had ended, was founded to dedicate itself to the construction of ‘walking’ boats, as well as work boats of course. The founder, Ferdinando Taroni, probably already a native of Carate, actually came from Venice, moved by the fashion of the lords of the time to each own his own gondola. A Venetian gondola, which however became a Larian gondola: larger, symmetrical, with a rudder and flat bottom, in short a model that became a tradition in its own right, alongside the many other hulls that over the past three centuries have sailed to the conquest of speed and elegance, between wood and fibreglass. From the Taroni workshop have passed, for example: Giovanni Cranchi, founder in 1866 of what is now known throughout the world as Cranchi Yacht, founded between Bellagio, Brienno and Piantedo; Raimondo Cadenazzi who, two generations later, from Tremezzina, would also impose in Germany the ‘Dongo’, ‘Nesso’ and ‘SuperComo’ motorboats, specially designed for water skiing; and Giuseppe Abbate, grandfather of Guido and the extraordinary three-pointed racing boats that broke all speed records in the 1950s and were then developed by pilot and builder Tullio Abbate. Taroni apprenticeship or not, the connections between the Larian nautical families are inexhaustible. Just think of the legend of the Riva motorboats, born right on Lake Como, from where, in the mid-1800s, Pietro Riva set sail for the shores of Sarnico and world fame, but left the other branch of the family in Laglio, which still today, with Daniele Riva, builds hulls entirely in wood, even with electric propulsion. A book would also be needed for Cantieri Mostes, with its Spanish roots and ramifications in Lezzeno and Faggeto Lario (as well as Genoa) with the adventurous story of Amos Matteri. The trail would continue with Molinari, Cetti, Galli Colombo, Timossi, Lillia… You choose the most iconic name and model.
RAGNI DI LECCO. It seems unbelievable, but the international fame of Lake Como goes from the surface of the water to over 2000 metres above sea level, with the Grigne massif towering over Lecco and the entire eastern shore, continuing along countless paths and walls in the Orobian Alps, Valtellina and nearby Switzerland. Among the many mountain enthusiasts born and bred in the shadow of the Grigne, there is a group that for over 70 years has made climbing its hallmark, right down to its name. The Ragni della Grignetta (better known as Ragni di Lecco), from the first ascents after World War II by the Bartesaghi brothers and their companions, young men who were a bit of a rebel against the ‘old men’ of mountaineering, with their red jumpers and ‘seven-legged’ skills, have since conquered peaks and opened routes all over the world. From the Alps to the Himalayas, from the infamous north face of the Eiger to the south face of McKinley in Alaska (with congratulations from President Kennedy), from expeditions to Tierra del Fuego to the three ultimately successful attempts to tame the west face of Cerro Torre. From there, the Spiders’ expeditions have continued to the present day, in a constant search for freedom among the world’s most beautiful and difficult mountains. The exploits followed one after another in the valleys at home, as far as Patagonia, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar and Greenland, where, inevitably, the climb arrived after adventurous approaches by kayak, horseback or sledge. But the rock, the gym of life, from which I Ragni start out, is always that of the Grigne, suggestive, technical, never tame.
CARLO BORLENGHI. Sleek hulls and towering sails flying over the powerful waves of the sea captured in a moment of unrestrainable speed: it certainly wouldn’t seem like a typical scene from the serene and collected Lake Como, yet the inspiration for some of the most famous photos of the America's Cup regattas originated right there. Carlo Borlenghi, born in Bellano, started from taking snapshots of friends sailing and has now become one of the most renowned photographers in yachting and beyond: since 1983, the campaigns of Italian boats (as well as Team Alinghi and BMW) in America's Cups have been immortalized by him. He is the official photographer of the most prestigious international yachting events (including the spectacular Barcolana of Trieste in Italy) and has traveled the world to follow the sailing adventures of Giovanni Soldini and Grant Dalton. After winning the Marian Skubin Award in 1983 for the best sports photograph published in Italy, many other awards followed, including recognition from President Napolitano.
“An exercise of freedom”: this is how he defines his work, capable of reimagining the entirety of increasingly large and ungainly boats in the detail of a splash of water or a drop of sweat, with the indispensable complicity of the colors of the sky and the sea. And, of course, the lake as well. Indeed, Carlo Borlenghi has never forgotten his origins. With his sensitive eye and his ability to capture new perspectives even with new photographic technologies, along with the help of his fellow countryman, writer Andrea Vitali, he has created a series of projects dedicated to Lake Como and its people. Recently published are the books ‘Un mondo unico al mondo’, 300 pages of photographs that capture the profound nature of the Lario, and ‘Il ritratto di Bellano’, a true ‘collective fresco’ with the close-ups of more than a third of the 3500 inhabitants of his small but vital village, a magical expression of what he calls ‘a perfect instant that sometimes lasts only as long as you see it’.
