Thousands of tourists visit Lake Como each year. For most visitors, however, this isn't likely to be the first place, or even the second or third, that comes to mind when they are deciding on where to vacation in Italy. They don't know what they're missing!

Set entirely within the region of Lombardia, Lake Como, of all the Italian lakes, offers the most in the way of pretty and charming villages, tiny ports, villas and shady exotic gardens that succeed one another along the banks of this pre-Alpine lake. Lake Como is no secret in this region of the world, where it has been a popular resort destination since the days of the Roman Empire.

Visitors these days are more wide-ranging, though still primarily from Italy and the rest of Europe. They come to Como for relaxation and romance, as well as water sports on the windier, northern part of the lake.

Lake Como is 28 miles long, but never more than two miles wide. The immense body of water, which sprawls in an upside down "y" shape at the foot of the Rhaetian Alps, is enchantingly beautiful. The town of Bellagio sits on a promontory that divides the lake in two. Situated near the Swiss border, the lake's most dramatic elements are the snow-capped Alps that surround it. The mountains range from 5,000 to 8,000 feet high.

The Alps provide the backdrop for gentle rolling hills, subtropical vegetation, centuries-old villas and more than three dozen villages, each with its own church and bell tower.

Houses with terracotta roofs color the landscape in subdued reds, yellows and occasional greens. In many of the villages, the houses scale up the tiered hills and mountainsides.

Closer inspection reveals elaborate gardens and luxurious 17th-, 18th- and 19th-century villas. On the western end of Lake Como in Tremezzo, a small village of nearly 1,300 people, pergolas knitted from orange trees and some of Europe's finest rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias, which bloom from early April to May in the botanical gardens of the 17th-century Villa Carlotta. This beautiful villa, strung with paintings and tapestries, takes its name from the Prussian princess who was given the place as a wedding present by her mother in 1847.

The splendid 120-year-old Villa d'Este is Lake Como's most famous five-star grand hotel, and is an ideal spot for honeymooners or if you're celebrating a special anniversary. The hotel is decorated with antique furnishings and paintings. Rooms are dressed in Como silk and its outdoor pool floats on the lake.

The 18th-century Villa del Balbianello, with its terraced gardens and scenic overlooks, was the setting for scenes from Star Wars: Episode II.

The Villa Cipressi owes its name to its long lines of cypresses.

In Cernobbio, art exhibitions can be viewed at the Villa Bernasconi and the 19th-century Villa Erba.

Visitors to Lake Como will also enjoy not only the cypress and sycamore trees, but also the subtropical trees -- olive, banana and palm -- that normally would not grow in this latitude. They flourish because the water warms to 75 degrees during the summer, and in the winter the water lets off the heat, allowing the plants and trees to grow.

The best way to get around this area is by ferries or private boat tours that take you from village to village and visit the villas and gardens. You can also use the regular buses that operate frequently around the lake. My favorite time of the year here is in May when the azaleas and camellias are in full bloom

Getting to Lake Como is not difficult, nor is finding a place to stay -- other than trying to decide which hotel best suits your budget and taste. If you desire the best in luxury, you won't go wrong with the Villa d'Este Hotel. Another great choice is the Grand Hotel Tremezzo or the stunning 19th-century Hotel Villa Marie.

The easiest way to get to Lake Como is to fly into Milan Malpensa Airport and take a cab or a private driver, which will take approximately one hour to reach the center of this charming lakeside village. The town has just a little over 1,200 residents, with narrow streets and little shops, as well as two villas and a castle. You can also do a day trip by train from Milan to the local station, which takes about one hour.

Not to Be Missed

Piazza del Duomo: Be sure to visit Como's marble-faced cathedral (Piazza del Duomo), built from the 14th to the 18th centuries.

Basilica di San Fedele: Visit the 6th-century Basilica di San Fedele, named after the saint who brought Christianity to the Como region.

Menaggio: Favored by a cool summer breeze, this is one of the lake's smart resorts.

Funicoloare Como Brunate: Take this cable car, which was built in 1894, for a seven-minute ride to reach the hilltop village of Brunate and enjoy a lovely walk.

My favorite restaurants: Il Solito Posto and Navedona

My favorite pastries and gelato parlors: Pasticceria Monti and Caffe Novecento

Peter D'Attoma is president of DaVinci Custom Travel & Tours. He has over 25 years of Planning and Designing Independent, Custom and Escorted Tours of Italy for Individuals, Groups and Incentive. For more information on Lake Como or other parts of Italy, email Peter D'Attoma at peter@davincicustomtravel.com or call him at 330-633-2292. You can also visit davincicustomtravel.com on the Internet.