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An Italian Twin-Centre Escape: Milan Meets Lake Como
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Ever considered a luxury Italian twin-centre itinerary pairing the energy of Milan with the tranquillity of Lake Como? This in particular, combines two of Italy's most iconic destinations in one seamless trip, with the journey between the two taking just under 1hr30 by car. The stay begins at Portrait Milano, the Ferragamo family's flagship hotel hidden within a restored 16th-century seminary in the heart of the Quadrilatero della Moda, the fashion district. Centred around one of Milan's largest private piazzas, the hotel blends Milanese sophistication with understated residential luxury, placing guests moments from Via Montenapoleone while offering a quieter, insider feel to the city. Alongside its fashion credentials — from Antonia boutique to SO-LE Studio by Maria-Sole Ferragamo — the hotel is also home to The Longevity Spa, one of Milan's most forward-thinking wellness destinations, offering advanced biohacking and science-led treatments focused on sleep, stress and recovery.
Insider tip: One of Milan's most unexpected sights sits quietly behind a fence on Via Serbelloni. Outside Villa Invernizzi, a small garden is home to a group of elegant pink flamingos, an unlikely scene in the middle of Milan. The birds, descendants of flamingos brought from Chile and Africa by dairy entrepreneur Romeo Invernizzi, wander peacefully around the garden, often balancing on one leg or quietly preening by the water. It's a surreal, slightly whimsical moment in the city, and a favourite hidden curiosity among locals.
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From there, guests can continue to Grand Hotel Tremezzo on Lake Como, where the De Santis family has introduced several new experiences for 2026, including the launch of CASABIANCA — a beautifully restored 1930s villa housing the family's private contemporary art collection and an exclusive outpost of Cova Milano. The hotel's T Spa has also expanded its wellness offering with new anti-ageing hammam rituals and collagen treatments.
Insider tip: Enjoy lunch at La Tirlindana, a charming lakeside restaurant overlooking Isola Comacina, where guests arrive by boat and order the restaurant's much-loved homemade lemon ravioli. For a more local, understated experience, the family-run La Rana offers simple regional cooking and garden-to-table ingredients — the kind of authentic spot known mostly to locals and returning Lake Como regulars. Also, for those looking to explore beyond the lake, the concierge team can arrange excluisve wine tasting tours to Valtellina, a lesser-known alpine wine region famed for its dramatic terraced vineyards, artisanal cheeses and traditional Lombardy cuisine.
Together, the two properties create a strong "city-to-lake" narrative, balancing fashion, wellness, design and culture with classic Italian glamour.
