Castles and gardens

Follow in the footsteps of stars from George Clooney to James Bond as you explore some of Lake Como’s most spectacular villas and gardens. In Tremezzo, visit the 17th century Villa Carlotta, home to an impressive collection of art including sculptures by Canova, or head to Bellagio to wander through the beautiful botanical gardens at Villa Melzi.

For a taste of Lake Como’s glamorous side, book dinner at Villa Serbelloni and enjoy an elegant evening of local cuisine. In Laglio, you may even catch a glimpse of Villa Oleandra, George Clooney’s former lakeside home.

Film fans won’t want to miss Villa Balbianello in Lenno, which has provided the backdrop for both James Bond: Casino Royale and Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. National Trust members can also benefit from discounted entry, so don’t forget your membership card. If you're keen to visit, we recommend booking tickets online a few months in advance as they sell out quickly.

A trip to Baveno wouldn't be complete without visiting at least one of the three Borromean Islands. Isola Bella's the most famous island and was turned into an Italian terraced garden in the 17th Century by the Borromeo family. It's so beautiful that it's inspired writers and poets throughout time. Dickens wrote, 'However fanciful and fantastic Isola Bella may be, and is, it is still beautiful'.

Isola Madre's the biggest island and has peacocks strutting around its' gardens. Check out the villa and its classic Italian style.

The third island, Isola dei Pescatori is a lot more down to earth. It's an old fishing island and still is today. This is where Maggiore gets it's delicious fresh fish. It's easy to get to these islands on the ferry (services reduce to weekends only in October) or by water taxi.

Funchal is a wonderful choice for garden and flower lovers, with Madeira’s warm, subtropical climate providing the perfect conditions for year round colour. At the Madeira Botanical Garden, you can explore five hectares filled with tropical plants, exotic species and vibrant flowers, while the 70,000m² Monte Palace Tropical Garden is home to an impressive collection of plants from around the world and is particularly beautiful in summer.

Set within a grand estate on the outskirts of Funchal, Palheiro Gardens is another beautiful spot to explore. Wander among the varied collection of plants and flowers before taking in the spectacular hilltop views across Funchal Bay.

You’ll also find some impressive gardens at our hotels, but few can rival Quinta Splendida in Caniço. Its 30,000m² botanical garden is filled with an abundance of tropical plants, colourful flowers and peaceful corners to explore.

One of Switzerland’s most spectacular castles, Chillon sits dramatically on a rocky island-like outcrop on the shores of Lake Geneva. Dating back to the 12th century, its turrets, towers and fortified walls rise straight from the water, creating an incredible setting that feels straight out of a fairytale.

Step inside to explore the castle’s atmospheric courtyards, grand halls, underground passages and ancient rooms, with plenty to capture the imagination of younger visitors too. Make your way up to the towers for some of the best views across Lake Geneva and the surrounding mountains.

For something completely different, head to nearby Fort de Chillon in Veytaux, an underground military fortress turned interactive museum, where you can discover the secret world hidden inside the mountain.

Image: (Copyright: Ivo Scholz)

Discover the spectacular Trauttmansdorff Gardens, where 12 hectares are filled with plants and flowers from around the world across more than 80 garden landscapes. They’re easy to reach from Merano on foot via Sissi’s Path, making the journey part of the experience.

The path follows in the footsteps of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sissi, who spent summers at Trauttmansdorff Castle and enjoyed long walks through the surrounding countryside. The 3.2 kilometre route is divided into 11 stages, each with its own story, winding from the castle down towards the gardens. Look out for the statue of Sissi along the way, a fitting tribute to the empress who gave the path its name.