Why would one chose Lake Como over Lake Garda? Or Lake Maggiore or Lake Orta? Why does anyone go? Well, my answer is for the general scenic beauty and the multitude of gardens, of which I am a keen collector. The hotel scene around Como has always been a bit problematic and a small but important detail is the matter of how you arrive there and how you intend to move around. That is assuming you don't just plonk yourself down at a hotel and never leave until check-out time. For instance, I have heard that Mandarin Oriental is a nightmare as far as parking is concerned and it has major service issues and nickel-and-dimes guests to death. Macmyday's report on Il Sereno's management woes needs to be taken seriously and I frankly just loathe the egg-box style of the main building which afford guests little privacy. Villa D'Este and Tremezzo and also Serbelloni have adequate parking and offer what one might call the classic Lakes experience. Tremezzo and Serbelloni have the best views.

Maggiore has the stunning gardens on the Borromee Islands and a couple of handsome old-school hotels.

And then there is Lake Orta, the hidden gem. Villa Crespi lacks a pool and also a mega-view but it might be the best hotel and has the best food.

The trick in this region is to avoid mid-May-September. Late April/early May and October/early November are the best months. James Bond and George Clooney and Jeremy Clarkson have made this a tourist crush even worse than before.