Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Gasperi 4, Como; one way/return adult €2.90/5.50, child €1.90/3.50; half-hourly departures 8am-midnight mid-
Apr-mid-Sep, to 10.30pm mid-Sep-mid-Apr; Como)
takes just seven minutes to reach Brunate, a
quiet residential village which seems to float above Lake Como - it sits at 720m above
sea level.
The views are pretty but partial - this is not the place for a sweeping panorama unless
you walk further into the hills. Brunate's baroque
Chiesa di San Andrea
, with its faded pink
exterior and giant bell peeking out of the bell tower, is hard to miss. In
San Maurizio
, a steep
40-minute walk (the first stage of the Dorsale hike) from Brunate's funicular stop, scale
143 steps to the top of the lighthouse, built in 1927 to mark the centenary of Alessandro
Volta's death. The Como tourist office (
Click here
)
can provide a map with various sug-
gested walks around Brunate.
SWITCHED ON
€3/free; 10am-noon & 3-6pm Tue-Sun Apr-Oct, 10am-noon & 2-4pm Nov-Mar) was built in 1927 in
memory of Como-born inventor of the battery, Alessandro Volta (1745-1827). The singular, circular landmark is
more significant for what it represents than for its slim contents. In 1800 Volta invented the Voltaic battery, which
preceded the electric battery, an invention that would later be refined and revolutionise people's daily life.
Eating
Natta Café
CAFE
€
( 031 26 91 23; Via Natta 16; meals €10-15; 9.30am-3.30pm Mon, 9.30am-midnight Tue-Thu, 9.30am-2am Fri,
11.30am-2pm Sat; )
This funky space in the old town, but ever-so-slightly removed from the
busier thoroughfares, is Como's antidote to traditional trattorias and
osterias
(casual tav-
erns). A funky cafe with free wi-fi, it serves up light meals that change regularly,
baguettes, salads, wine by the glass and well-priced cocktails (€5 to €8). It's a lovely, laid-
back little spot.
Gelateria Ceccato
GELATO
€
