In June 2001, after two weeks touring Rome, Venice and Verona, we relaxed for several days in Varenna on Lake Como.  We stayed at the Villa Cipressi, a 17th century villa.  

We climbed the hills in and around Varenna.  We took the ferry to Bellagio, Mennagio and other nearby cities.  We loved it (except for when the hotel misplaced our passports).  

This was our first time in the Lake Como region, which can only be described as a very beautiful and very different part of Italy.  The lake is a deep blue and lies low in contract to the high mountains.  Snow on the Swiss Alps was visible in the distance.  Unlike the U.S., there were few private boats disturbing the serenity.  Only the ferries and several small watercraft sailed the waters.  

These photos were all taken with a Canon Rebel EOS and a disposable Kodak camera. 

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Varenna scenes from the shore.

Lake Como viewed from Varenna (with the Swiss Alps in the background.)

Varenna scenes from the ferryboat.

Mennagio

Bellagio