This lake front house is situated on the Lake's edge with expansive views of Lake Como and views across to the only island on the Lake. Upon entry the expansive tiled living room and dining area displays panoramic views of the lake through floor-to-ceiling glass doors with direct access to the waterfront patio and fenced lawns. Sun-beds, al-fresco dining furniture, and sun-umbrellas create the scene for sunny days of leisure and ‘La dolce Vita’, literally ‘the good life’. The kitchen adjoins the living area with all modern conveniences including gas hob, oven, dishwasher, and integrated refrigerator; an adjacent powder room, and access to a washing machine offer convenience for domestic bliss. From the living area a short flight of stairs lead up to the sleeping haven with three bedrooms with views. The master bedroom and a twin room overlook the lake, with a third, double bedroom to the rear. Two bathrooms, one with shower, the other with tub complete the picture. A further two guests may be accommodated on the double sofa-bed in the living room. In this idyll even since ancient times, the prime lakeside position opposite the island has been the location of a unique waterfront field giving the house its local name of Ca’Pradel, literally “the house on the little field”. Enjoying easy proximity to the most desirable central Lake Como towns and tourist attractions, Ca’Pradel retains its link to an historic past located between the two medieval churches of S. Giacomo with its twin bellcote, and Santa Maria Maddalena with its Gothic bell tower, the iconic symbol of Lake Como; all surrounded by quaint ancient alleyways and byways. In front of the house to the right, just around the headland from Villa Rachele, the ancient via dei Plini takes the path of the original Roman road to the charming village of Sala Comacina. In Sala, La Tirlindana Restaurant is situated in the pretty village piazza from where the taxi-boat service takes visitors across to the island and the famous Locanda Dell’Comacina restaurant, and the bar by the island ferry jetty ‘La Botte’. In Sala, Restaurant La Comacina (next to Cimino’s Bar and the bank with Bancomat), offers lovely views from its flower-festooned dining balcony. Nearby Taverna Bleu ‘Relais et Restaurant’ offers local fine-dining in a boutique setting. In Sala three bars, a bakery with general goods and C10 bus tickets, and an artisan butcher, offer easy access to daily supplies. Closer to home, just down the road from Ca’Pradel in nearby Spurano on Via Statale, near the intersection with Via Santuario (which leads up to the old town centre of Ossuccio), ‘alimentari’ (groceries) are available at the deli-restaurant-newsagent- tabaccheria San Giovanni. Lenno, just north of Ossuccio, offers access to regular lake ferries, and a wide variety of useful general amenities including Sigma and Dino supermarkets, pharmacy, tourist office, and numerous eateries. Lenno is famous for its Tuesday Morning Market along the lakefront promenade – always a pleasant place to stroll or to enjoy refreshment. At the right-hand end of the ‘Bay of Venus’ stands the popular Lido di Lenno Bar/Restaurant and Beach Club. From here a regular boat service provides water-access to the famous attraction of Villa Balbianello. North of Lenno a five-minute drive or bus ride, or walk via the ‘Greenway’, leads to Tremezzo with its many waterfront dining venues, and the tourist drawcard of Villa Carlotta with its unique gardens and art collection. Closer to home the history of Comacina Island makes for fascinating reading. In the middle ages the island was a religious centre for the Como region and the site of the 11C basilica of St Euphemius… an important stop-over point for pilgrims en-route across the Alps to Milan. The present church of St John was built in the 18C. More recently on a Sunday in June each year the Festival of St John features a religious procession ferried to the island to celebrate an open-air mass in the ruins, in memory of the battle of 1169 fought against the island’s inhabitants who were defended by a Byzantine garrison in their alliance with Milan. The Comaschi (from Como) attacked and burnt this last stronghold of the Western Roman Empire to the ground. This Sunday each year culminates in a spectacular fireworks display. The other half of the duplex is reserved for our family use, so you may catch a glimpse of us visiting Lake Como.