Continuing my Swiss/Italy trip recap today, you can read about our visit to a Swiss chocolate factory and Lake Maggiore here. We were up early the next day and drove to Lake Como in Italy. It was just over an hour drive from Lake Maggiore.
The fastest way to travel to the various villages around Lake Como is to take a boat. They have a very great ferry system which surprisingly runs on time. Just buy your ticket at the office at the dock. We just told the boat dock guy where we wanted to go and he would give us the right ticket. We parked at the Tavernola stop, which has free parking.
Our first stop was the Villa del Balbianello. It is located off of the Lenno stop. After deboarding, you can walk from the ferry terminal to the villa which is uphill and apparently a 20-30 min walk. Alternatively, you can catch a small private boat shuttle for €7 round trip. It leaves at the opposite side of the bay from the ferry dock.
First, we grabbed gelato because we were starving. What we didn’t realize was how long it takes to get around the lake by boat. It takes about 1.5 to 2hours if you are staying over by Como and are trying to get the touristy spots.
I recommend taking the boat shuttle to the villa because it’s quite romantic to arrive to the villas private boat entrance! You also get great views of the villa.
Below, the entrance via boat!
If the villa looks familiar to you, it may be because this villa is where they shot some scenes for James Bond Casino Royale where he is recovering. Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones was also filmed here. This was Padme’s house and where Anakin and Padme got married at the end of the movie.
The Villas gardens were pretty. I loved the big tree below! It was so pretty!
I also loved all of the floral pots!
You can tour the inside but we opted not too. The only option was a guided tour and we don’t like guided tours.
Then we took the boat back and caught a ferry to the next town. 
Great photos today! Beautiful!