An upmarket tourist hotspot on a peninsula jutting out into Lake Como, Bellagio is in an enviable location. Its cobbled alleyways tumble down to a busy waterfront at which hordes of American and Asian visitors alight and aboard frequent pedestrian and car ferries. Some of the elegant mansions that line the lake host smart hotels and pricey restaurants, while most of the genteel shops are targeting the tourist trade. Although the budget conscious should stay (and eat) outside the historic heart of Bellagio, don't be put off by the high price tags - loafing about by the lake is free and fun.
