Dongo

Trips, culture and festivals in & around Dongo

Dongo is a small, very traditional town in a bay on the west bank with approx. 3500 inhabitants. There's so much to do within walking distance. There are restaurants, bakeries and a variety of shops plus every 1st and 3rd thursday of the month there is a local market. In the mountain villages above Dongo there quaint traditional trattorias/restaurants that can be easliy reached on foot.
In the Bay of Dongo there is a small harbour. Opposite is a small Piazza (square) where the locals like to meet and you'll often find some evening festivity taking place.There are historical buildings such as the Palazzo Manzi with it's "Sala d'oro"-golden hall from the Napoleon era. A favourite hiking trail leads to the San Eufenia church above Dongo, only about 15-20 minutes on foot, with breathtaking panoramic views. Neighbouring towns of Menaggio to the south and Gravedona - Domaso to the north are larger and offer even more evening entertainment possibilities. Dongo even offers the possibility to explore the area by boat, down to the south to Varenna, Menaggio, Bellagio, Como or Lecco for example or to the north to Kloster Piona or to Colicio.

Lake Como's north-west shore

The location of your vacation-apartment offers a lot of possibilities to explore the surrounding area either by car, ferries, hydrofoils or train. Via the tunneled expressway on the opposite side of the lake you can drive to the other end of the lake with ist village Lecco within ca. 25-30 min. Gera Lario has a landing-stage. Milan, Varenna, Lecco, Como, Bellagio as well as Chiavenna and St. Moritz for example are worth-seeing and interesting destinations for day-trips.

In and around Lake Como

Lake Como has so much to offer throughout the whole year. Enjoy a concert or a vernissage, or delight in one of the many charming traditional festivals which often take place in the pretty towns and villages.

It truly is a lake for all seasons.

From a cultural perspective, there is much to see: apart from the many churches and historical buildings around the lake, there are famous villas and buildings (all open to the public), many of which have picturesque Italianate gardens.

"Fashionistas" will appreciate the close proximity of the fashion capital, Milan and also the city of Como, which is the centre of the Italian silk trade. Their influence can be seen the length and breadth of the lake and there are many opportunities to buy stylish Italian clothes inexpensively.

Typically, there are many local weekly markets selling their produce from the neighbouring regions including, amongst other things, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as cheese and fish.

The season for bathing in the lake begins at the end of May/beginning of June and normally finishes between the middle to the end of September. During the bathing season, the water temperature in the lake ranges between 20 - 24 grad (maximum August temperature). Of course, lovers of surfing and boating are not restricted to these seasons - they can use the lake throughout the whole year. The pools belonging to holiday properties enjoy a slightly longer season as a rule, ranging from the middle of March to the end of October.

playing golf

One of the most beautiful golf courses in Europe is located above Menaggio, about 16 kilometres from your holiday home. There are a further 5 golf courses to be found in the Como/Lugano region and in Sondrio/Valtellina

biking

There are great opportunities in the mountains and valleys as well as along the lake for bike tours to suit all tastes and abilities. This area is especially good for mountain bike tours for different abilities.

horse riding

There is a well organised riding area and some beautiful bridleways in the neighbouring village, 15-20 minutes away by car

tennis

There a good tennis court in Gravedona on the headland as well as in the surrounding area.

hiking

Your holiday home is the perfect starting point for plenty of hikes and mountain walks that give you fantastic panoramic views of Lake Como and the valleys nearby. Further a field are lovely walks round the lake, as well as in the nearby Valtellina Valley and in the Bergell region.

water sports

Lovely beaches (with car park) are to be found in Gravedona on the sparsely populated, unspoilt headland. On the head land itself are long beaches that are good for children, near to the mouth of the river, with expansive views of the south of Lake Como. There is a well maintained beach pool, with a children‘s pool and beach bar, at the furthest most tip of the head land.

There are boat, water skiing, surf board and sailing boat hire shops in Gravedona and in the neighbouring tourist village of Domasco.