The Moment I Saw This Gorgeous Lake Como Airbnb, I Knew I Had to Plan a Trip to Perledo

Maybe it’s because I’m a dreamer, or maybe it's because I’m slightly impulsive, but whenever I'm planning a trip, I start by browsing Airbnb. I find it the easiest way to envision my time away, and I dropped the notion a long time ago that you don’t actually spend time in your accommodations. That's how I ended up finding myself in a teeny town called Perledo this past summer, my mom had always dreamed of visiting Lake Como for her birthday , so I decided to see what great accommodations I could find in the area for a visit in August, her birth month.

For a stay in Italy, if it’s sleek, minimalist, or modern, keep it away from me. I’m drawn to homes that feel like a reflection of the country I’m in, something uncommon with character and a story. So when I found this unbelievably charming rental in Perledo, a quiet village in the hills above Varenna, overlooking Lake Como, on the Airbnb platform, I booked it for my mom, sister, and I before we even had flights. I mean, look at it!

My family and I arrived in Lake Como on a scorching August day after spending seven days in Sardinia. After a flight, bus, train, and short taxi ride up and around the mountain, we were thrilled to land in our new home. A few days before our arrival, our host, Giulia (having the same name as her felt like a good omen to me!), helped us navigate getting to the apartment from the train, offering us multiple numbers for local taxis, as we hadn't wanted to rent a car. (I'm glad we went that route, because I wouldn't have wanted to deal with parking.)

Upon entering the home, after several trips up and down the stairs, we threw down our bags and immediately made our way onto the balcony. The sunlight beamed through the French doors with the mountains in the background, and the smell of crisp Alpine air made the three of us pause. Staring at the boats as they glided through the water, we all immediately forgot about the long journey it took to get there.

We discovered a bottle of red wine , taralli, and a bunch of Nespresso pods waiting for us on the kitchen table, and I was delighted to find the pantry filled with essentials, salt, pepper, olive oil, and vinegar. You know, those items you might need to complete a meal or a snack, but are annoying to buy on vacation.

The apartment felt warm from the sunlight, but also by design. The pearly walls, with green cabinets and warm wood accents, felt very grounding, like an extension of the atmosphere outside. The tile flooring in the living area reminded me of my cousin's house in Rome, and the pistachio-green-framed window in the bathroom opened wide for a clear picture of the mountains and lake.

After already spending a week with my mom and sister, I was ready for some space, so I opted for the sofa bed with a memory foam topper in the living room. The bed was already made, so it was easy to slip into the soft sheets for a nap after my shower. Throughout the stay, we were mindful not to let the hot water meter fall below a certain level, per Giulia's advice, but between the three of us, we rarely came close.

Giulia also gave us tons of information about the area, including ferry schedules, walking paths, and numbers for hairstylists (I'm always looking for a good blowout). Being able to communicate with her as a local resource felt like we had a personal tour guide with us at all times.

When we left the apartment on our first evening, we followed Giulia’s instructions to catch the complimentary Perledo Night Bus, a service provided by the town from 7 p.m. till midnight, to get to nearby Varenna, where we could grab the ferry to take us to other towns . Walking up and down the mountain, especially at night, would have been challenging and slightly dangerous, so we were happy to grab the shuttle, which was a 10-minute walk from our place.

Unlike Como town or Bellagio, Varenna is quieter, with restaurants that shut down around 9 p.m. Luckily, there are some places to eat and drink in Perledo too. For example, Bar Milano is where locals congregate for their morning espressos or evening nightcaps. For us, it was where we would grab our bus rides up and down the mountain, as well as breakfast (the apricot croissants are incredible).

The walk to Bar Milano was a deeply scenic experience for us, the sunlight glistening on the lake to our right; the lush green mountains dotted with homes to our left. We often noticed fountains and shrines to pray at on our journeys up and down, something consistent on most streets in the village. After arriving home with our breakfast every day, we would start our mornings slow, sitting on the balcony with our espressos and cornetti, taking in the postcard-perfect views of the lake. We often said hi to our neighbors just below us, families who were keen on enjoying the morning air too.

We made few plans for our days, except a reservation for my mom’s birthday lunch. We spent four hours indulging at Passalacqua , the boutique hotel in Moltrasio, and between the beauty of the space, the unhurried pace of the meal, and the kindness of the staff, it’s a memory we will all keep forever. Other afternoons were spent ferry hopping, exploring different towns. In Bellagio, it was imperative we walked down the most famous corridor, Salita Serbelloni. Filled with small artisanal shops and restaurants, it was here I bought a rosary necklace from a man named Filippo, the owner of Bellagio New Wave , a family business that has been in operation for over 100 years. He told me that he grew up above the building.

After days spent on our feet, ears buzzing from the large crowds, nothing was more serene than returning to the quiet of our apartment. Stepping off the shuttle and onto the street for our walk back to the Airbnb brought a sense of tranquility over our three days there, like we were truly going home. Being able to stare into the night sky, overlooking the stillness of the water while being hit with a slight breeze, offered a respite from the adventures of the day.

When I think of Lake Como, I think of two things: romance and luxury. Away from the noise but still close enough to the action, this Airbnb gave us a slice of that fantasy. I now recommend Perdolo to everyone. Safe to say, I’ll continue building my trips around great Airbnbs . The rest always figures itself out later.