The property is magnificent, everything we hoped for and more. The service offered by Via Villas was impeccable and highly personalized, we would absolutely use Via Villas again (and we plan to on our next trip to Italy!).
Dan C.
Greenwhich, CT
Hi Lori,
Well, once again we had a great time on Lake Como. Any chance we can reserve Villa Cernobbio for the same time period next year? 22 days total!
Clark K.
Seattle, WA
James and Lori My family and I want to thank you for everything that you did to arrange our time in Italy. As I said in my earlier email Villa Cernobbio is more magnificent than we imagined from the website and your literature. We were so pleased with everything. Chompa and Marcella were wonderful and we regretted having to say goodbye. We were very fortunate to have two talented chefs at the same time. The fresh food is so enjoyable. Marcella was there for one week and then went back to Florence. Please thank the owner for everything and for sharing Villa Cernobbio with me and my family. She called Saturday evening to see if we needed anything. Giancarlo provided us with a very professional and friendly driver, Alberto Rusconi of Autonoleggio di Alberto Rusconi. My husband caught a cold and Giancarlo graciously let me change the Friday plans to a shorter trip to Tremezzo and Bellagio instead of Valtellina. I sent Vini Fay an email and let them know that we had to cancel our visit. My son-in-law decided that we would go by boat to Villa Balbianello and Marcella made the reservations. We enjoyed the trip by water and the scenery. I was so surprised at the many groups of tourists at Villa Balbianello. Our visit in early May 1999 was much more private. Ceretto was wonderful and we shipped two cases home to share between us. The lunch at Piazza Duomo was a three hour treasure with special service and creative food. I especially enjoyed the 21,31, 41, 51 salad. We never experienced so many pre-course treats and after lunch treats. The chef is very talented. We had a tour of the kitchen before we departed, but the chef had already left to buy supplies. It is a stainless steel wonder with neatly arranged stations. The kitchen at Gaultiero Marchesi's wonderful restaurant didn't seem to be so well compartmented when we viewed it through the observation window in the past. Marcella said we missed a glimpse of George Clooney as he drove his motorcycle by the Villa on Sunday while we were in Varese. We also missed him at Il Gatto Nero. He had lunch there on Wednesday and we dined at the restaurant on Thursday evening. We had a wonderful table in the front row overlooking the view of Lago di Como. I called and arranged the reservation using my Italian. I had Marcella call and confirm on Thursday afternoon and I am not sure if that triggered the best table. The boat driver identified George's Villa and we have pictures of the property. As always your knowledge, recommendations and planning increase the pleasures for everyone. Many many thanks.
Kay H.
Springfield, VA