CERNOBBIO, Villa D'este

Villa d'Este is a historical residence built over a period of about four centuries, which has been one of the most luxurious hotels in the world since 1873.

Today, its 152 rooms are divided between the two main structures, the Cardinal's Building and the Queen's Pavilion, but there are also four private, rentable villas built between 1815 and 1860.

Only guests can enjoy the eight tennis courts, the magnificent park, the lounges and the rooms all furnished in Renaissance style, but some lucky people manage to visit a part of the gardens, by booking tickets well in advance, on the occasion of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, an event showing off vintage and luxury cars, which takes place every year on a weekend at the end of May.

One of the most striking structures in the park is the monumental 17th-century nymphaeum, decorated with mosaics, from which starts the Avenue of Hercules leading to a small temple containing a statue depicting an episode from the mythological hero's life.

Even if you don't get a chance to visit Villa d'Este, you might like to know its history....