Cernobbio
The boat lands at Cernobbio, an important center for tourism situated at the foot of Monte Bisbino. At 1325 meters, the summit of the mountain offers a magnificent panorama of the Lake. Above all, this small town is celebrated for the grandiose Villa D'Este (15565-70), the residence of Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio designed by Pellegrino Tibaldi. Situated on the lake with a splendid view, the villa has a spacious Italian-style garden with a famous perspective boulevard- which rises to the top of hills- lined with cypress trees and intervals of water games making it one of the Italy's most beautiful Renaissance roads. At the beginning of the 19th century, when the complex was reopened after centuries of abandon, a tract of craggy mount was added. Planned in the English style, the path was made up of rocks, brushwood, waterways and lanes. In 1814 the villa was the residence of Caroline of Brunswich, the wife of George IV of England, who dedicated the villa to her family, descendents of Guelfo D'Este. In 1873, after a great turn over of ownership, Villa D'Este became a luxury hotel.